NHTSA Complaint #11699469 — 2021 NISSAN KICKS

My vehicle has a serious safety defect involving the braking system and related electronic controls. The vehicle is available for inspection at any time. The main failure is sudden, unintended braking without me pressing the pedal. On November 5, 2025, around 6:20 p.m., the vehicle brake-checked in traffic and almost caused a rear-end collision. This continues to put my safety and the safety of others at risk every time I drive, but I have no other transportation for work. Along with the sudden braking, the car has loud crunching and dragging noises when braking or beginning to move, difficulty shifting between Drive, Reverse, and Park, and intermittent warning lights. Warning lights have appeared several times, and on one occasion stayed on long enough for me to bring the vehicle in. These symptoms first began in July 2025 and have continued ever since. The problems have been repeatedly reproduced by me and reported to the dealer. Although the dealership has sometimes claimed they could not find a problem, they later acknowledged noises and even suggested “better brakes,” which they said I would have to pay for despite my warranty and extended warranty. I have recordings of the noises and a voicemail from a service advisor. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership four times on July 15–16, August 6–9, August 19–22, and September 26, 2025, and also reviewed by Nissan North America Consumer Affairs. No police or insurance inspections have been done. Even after repeated attempts, the manufacturer and dealer have not resolved the safety issues. The sudden braking, shifting problems, noises, and warning lights make the vehicle unreliable and dangerous. I am afraid to drive it, and I am requesting an NHTSA investigation because these defects create a clear risk of a crash and have not been properly addressed by Nissan.