Nissan Kicks Reliability by Year
810 NHTSA complaints (2018–2026). Complaint rate: 19.4 per 1,000 vehicles.
Nissan Kicks reliability varies significantly by model year. Based on 810 NHTSA complaints (2018–2026), the most problematic years are 2019, with high complaint volumes linked to electrical faults. Better choices include 2022, 2023, 2021, which show significantly fewer reported problems.
Why these years are worse
The most common issues driving the complaint spikes:
- electrical faults — 105 complaints (2.9% involved a crash)
- unknown or other — 98 complaints (1.0% involved a crash)
- forward collision avoidance: warnings — 91 complaints (2.2% involved a crash)
- engine problems — 86 complaints (0.0% involved a crash)
- forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking — 61 complaints (8.2% involved a crash)
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 2019 Nissan Kicks. The 2022–2023 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
Too New
Need 3+ years on the road for reliable complaint data.
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Nissan Kicks Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 105 | 2.9% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 98 | 1.0% |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS | 91 | 2.2% |
| ENGINE | 86 | 0.0% |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING | 61 | 8.2% |
| POWER TRAIN | 53 | 3.8% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 48 | 10.4% |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 33 | 3.0% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 30 | 0.0% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 28 | 3.6% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
Year-by-Year Breakdown
Tap any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
See also: Nissan Kicksaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
Buying a Nissan Kicks?
Check the specific VIN for hidden accidents, title issues, and full vehicle history — just $4.99.
Check VIN Free