Problems · NHTSA complaints

2025 Nissan Kicks problems

Owners filed 42 complaints about the 2025 Nissan Kicks with NHTSA between Oct 2024 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is visibility/wiper (7).

Complaints
42
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Visibility/wiper7
  2. Electrical system6
  3. Power train5
  4. Steering5
  5. Structure4
  6. Back over prevention4
  7. Wheels3
  8. Fuel/propulsion system2
  9. Exterior lighting2
  10. Lane departure2
  11. Suspension2
  12. Equipment1
  13. Visibility1
  14. Air bags1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20241
202516
202625

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Visibility/wiper

7 reports
“On the morning of October 19 at approximately 6:16 AM, I was driving the vehicle to my sister's home roughly 15 miles away. About 5 miles into the journey, without any other vehicles around or any external impact, I heard a loud boom. Upon pulling over to inspect the car, I discovered that the rear windshield had spontaneously shattered and exploded, held in place entirely by the window tint. Based on the environmental conditions and vehicle operation at the time, I believe this failure was caused by thermal stress. The outside temperature was 52 degrees, and I had the rear defroster activated; the cold glass combined with the heat from the defroster caused severe thermal shock, leading the glass to stress and shatter. Spontaneous breakage due to thermal stress or manufacturing defects in tempered glass is a known issue and should be covered under the vehicle's warranty. I contacted my dealership to report this dangerous manufacturer defect. I was informed that the manager would be notified and would follow up with me promptly. Unfortunately, that callback never occurred. Because the dealership failed to respond, I had to arrange for the glass replacement…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2026Visibility/wiperODI 11772695

Electrical system

6 reports1 crash2 related recalls
“Was driving at low speed after entering a parking lot and the engine quit. When I attempted to restart the starter would not engage. The power widows still functioned. A subsequent check of the battery indicated it is fully charged. Had this occurred at Highway speed it could have been dangerous situation since the power brakes and power steering were not functional.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2026Power train, Electrical systemODI 11767902

Power train

5 reports
“Driving on a highway when rear differential and drive shaft broke loose from vehicle while driving at 65 mph. Right rear wheel went over real diff. causing the rear end of vehicle to come off the pavement. Fortunately was able to get car under control before it flipped. There was no warning signs prior. We were violently lurched and still are feeling residual effects from that incident.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2026Power trainODI 11761598

Steering

5 reports
“On 05.28.2026 my car veered sporadically to the right causing my tire to hit the curb as I was going under a viaduct with a high curb I lost my hub cap and damaged my rim slightly. Now my wheel is at a constant angle to the left, and veers sporadically left and right. After being in a reddit forum and seeing other people had this problem and it should be covered under warranty. However, I was told I would still have to pay for an alignment because its needed after a a bushing is replaced. If the bushing was defective and caused my wheel alignment to be off then why do I have to pay? I dont mind... I'm just curious”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 4, 2026Steering, Suspension, Power trainODI 11741961

Structure

4 reports
“Upon inspection by a certified technician, the windshield was found to have a stress crack. The repair evaluation confirmed there is no visible point of strike or impact from road debris. Although similar issues are commonly reported, the manufacturer denied knowledge of any widespread problem and refused to cover the repair costs. Previous management of this concern was negligent in addressing the defect. I have videos, photos of the damage, and a copy of the repair receipt available as evidence.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 30, 2026Structure, Visibility/wiperODI 11734851

Back over prevention

4 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while reversing at night, the back-over prevention camera displayed a grainy and distorted image. The vehicle was initially taken to the dealer; however, no issue was found with the camera. The contact informed the dealer that failure only occurred at night. The service technician informed the contact that the garage area was dark enough and that there were no issues found with the vehicle. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V324000 (Back Over Prevention); which the contact linked to the failure. The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled for the recall repair. After the recall repair, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the image displayed on the screen was clear and that no additional assistance would be provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2025Back over preventionODI 11684435
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.