YearToAvoid

2020 Nissan Kicks Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 25 engine complaints for the 2020 Nissan Kicks, 26% of all complaints filed for that model year, with a median failure mileage of 1,779 miles. No recall is linked to this engine issue.

Engine complaints
25
26% of 96
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
1,779 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Engine idles rough after extended highway driving and then stalls at stop lights, sometimes requiring a restart to move again.
  • Vehicle loses power and slows on its own during moderate-speed traffic, raising rear-end collision risk.
  • P0101 mass airflow sensor code recurs repeatedly, affecting idle, performance, and fuel economy even after sensor cleaning.
  • Engine shuts off unexpectedly at stops, sometimes accompanied by battery and oil warning lights.
  • Accelerator pedal is depressed but the vehicle fails to respond, particularly right after coming to a stop.
  • Owners report a constant ticking noise from the upper engine that they fear could lead to sudden failure.

When 2020 Nissan Kicks engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 30, 2020, latest Jul 15, 2026.

2020 Nissan Kicks engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Jul 2020Mar 2021Jan 2022Jun 2023Aug 2024May 2025Mar 2026
25 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2020 to Jul 2026; peak Jun 2025 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2020 Nissan Kicks

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Kicks model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201825 (29%)
  2. 201943 (32%)
  3. 202025 (26%)
  4. 202110 (13%)
  5. 20225 (22%)
  6. 20235 (28%)
  7. 20242 (5%)
  8. 20251 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2020 Nissan Kicks?
NHTSA lists 25 engine-related complaints for the 2020 Kicks, which is 26% of the 96 total complaints filed for that model year.
At what mileage do 2020 Kicks engine problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 1,779 miles, indicating many issues surface very early in ownership.
Is there a recall for the 2020 Nissan Kicks engine issue?
No, there are no related recalls listed for this engine problem area on the 2020 Kicks.
Do 2020 Kicks engine complaints involve crashes or fires?
NHTSA data shows zero crashes, zero fires, and zero injuries among the 25 engine complaints for the 2020 Kicks.
Is the engine problem rate improving in later Kicks model years?
Complaint share drops in later years, from 26% in 2020 to 13% in 2021 and lower single-digit percentages by 2024, based on NHTSA data.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.