2018 Nissan Kicks
Vehicle Specs & Maintenance Data
The 2018 Nissan Kicks maintenance specs on this page cover the key fluids, torque values, and wear items you need for routine service. Use these numbers as a quick reference when performing oil changes, tire rotations, brake jobs, and other scheduled maintenance on your Nissan Kicks.
For oil changes, the 2018 Nissan Kicks takes 0W-20 Full Synthetic motor oil with a capacity of 3.7 quarts. Brake fluid type is DOT 3, the recommended coolant is Blue Long Life Coolant (OAT), and transmission fluid is Nissan Matic S. Always use the manufacturer-recommended fluids to maintain warranty coverage and engine longevity.
When mounting wheels on the Nissan Kicks, torque the lug nuts to 83 ft-lbs using a calibrated torque wrench. Over- or under-torquing can lead to warped brake rotors or loose wheels. Re-torque after 50 to 100 miles on newly installed wheels.
Owners of the 2018 Nissan Kicks have reported 5 common issues including "CVT Transmission Jerking and Hesitation", "Electrical System and Battery Drain" and "Automatic Emergency Braking Malfunction". Scroll down to the Diagnostics tab for detailed descriptions, solutions, and estimated repair costs.
There is 1 NHTSA safety recall on file for the 2018 Nissan Kicks. Check the Recalls tab below for full details.
Specifications on this page are compiled from multiple publicly available sources including manufacturer documentation, NHTSA data, and automotive databases. Always cross-reference with your owner's manual or official factory documentation before purchasing parts or performing any service.
The 2018 Nissan Kicks uses 0W-20 Full Synthetic motor oil (3.7 qt capacity), requires lug nuts torqued to 83 ft-lbs, takes DOT 3 brake fluid.
Manufacturer-recommended maintenance schedule for the 2018 Nissan Kicks. Always verify intervals against your owner's manual.
Enter a diagnostic trouble code to see causes, symptoms, and fixes for the 2018 Nissan Kicks.
Common problems reported by 2018 Nissan Kicks owners, with recommended fixes and estimated repair costs.
CVT Transmission Jerking and Hesitation
The CVT exhibits jerky behavior during low-speed acceleration, hesitation when pulling into traffic, and occasional shuddering at highway cruising speeds. Some owners report the transmission slipping or a rubber-band effect when accelerating.
CVT fluid replacement with Nissan NS-3 fluid and TCM reprogramming can improve shift feel. A full CVT software update at the dealer addresses the hesitation. In severe cases, the valve body requires replacement.
Est. Cost: $200 - $3,800Electrical System and Battery Drain
Owners report intermittent electrical issues including dead batteries after sitting overnight, flickering dashboard lights, and random warning indicators. The parasitic drain is often traced to the infotainment unit or body control module not entering sleep mode.
A BCM software update and battery current draw test can identify the drain source. TSB NTB21-053B addresses the audio unit drain. Battery replacement with an AGM battery of proper CCA rating may also be needed.
Est. Cost: $0 - $350Automatic Emergency Braking Malfunction
The forward collision warning and AEB system may activate without cause, applying brakes suddenly in normal traffic or on open roads. False alerts are more frequent in heavy rain, fog, or when passing under overpasses and bridges.
Front radar sensor recalibration and software update at the dealer. Ensure the front radar sensor area behind the grille is clean and free of debris. A sensor replacement may be needed if recalibration fails.
Est. Cost: $0 - $600Infotainment Screen Freezing and Blank Display
The touchscreen infotainment system freezes, goes blank, or becomes unresponsive during use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connections drop frequently, and the system may require a vehicle restart to recover functionality.
A system software update to the latest version typically resolves freezing. Performing a factory reset of the infotainment unit and updating the USB firmware can also help. Hardware replacement is rarely needed.
Est. Cost: $0 - $150Underpowered Engine and Excessive Road Noise
The 1.6L naturally aspirated engine with 122 hp struggles with highway merging and uphill driving, especially with passengers. Excessive road and wind noise intrudes into the cabin, particularly at speeds above 60 mph due to minimal sound insulation.
No factory fix for the power output. Aftermarket sound deadening material can reduce cabin noise. Ensuring proper tire selection (low road-noise tires) and checking door seal integrity can help mitigate noise levels.
Est. Cost: $100 - $500 (sound deadening)1 NHTSA safety recall for the 2018 Nissan Kicks. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.