Nissan Kicks Best and Worst Years (2018–2025)
Avoid the 2019 and 2025 Nissan Kicks, which carry the highest Complaint Index scores (86 and 100) among 8 model years. The 2022 and 2023 model years score lowest (14 and 0) and are the best picks, with 2020-2021 landing in a caution zone.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 8
- 2018–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 506
- Recall campaigns
- 8
- Crashes reported
- 26
- Fires reported
- 1
- Top problem area
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras
Kicks Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Nissan Kicks problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Good | 29 | 85 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Brakes | 33 | — |
| 2019 | Avoid | 86 | 134 | 5 | 0 | 1 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 33 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 71 | 96 | 7 | 0 | 0 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 33 | 4★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 57 | 76 | 6 | 0 | 2 | Structure & Body | 33 | 4★ |
| 2022 | Best | 14 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 33 | 4★ |
| 2023 | Best | 0 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 33 | 4★ |
| 2024 | Good | 43 | 37 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Visibility & Wipers | 33 | 4★ |
| 2025 | Avoid | 100 | 37 | 2 | 1 | 4 | Visibility & Wipers | 31 | 4★ |
Kicks years to avoid: what went wrong
2025 Nissan Kicks Index 100 · 37 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2025 Kicks has the highest Complaint Index of any year at 100, despite a lower complaint count of 37, plus 2 crashes, 1 fire, and 1 injury. Visibility & Wipers problems top the list at 19% of complaints (median 8,000 miles), followed by Electrical System and Steering issues at 14% each. Owners reported windshields cracking and leaking after replacement, a rear glass shattering after exposure to ice, a hubcap detaching during a low-speed turn, and an airbag that did not deploy in a collision. NHTSA lists four recalls for this year, covering combination meter display software, center information display blanking in reverse, and incorrect weight rating labels.
2019 Nissan Kicks Index 86 · 134 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2019 Kicks logged 134 complaints, the most of any year, with a Complaint Index of 86 and 5 reported crashes including 3 injuries. Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues led at 34% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 43,600, followed by Engine problems at 32% (median 26,903 miles) and Electrical System issues at 29% (median 22,451.5 miles). Owners described unintended acceleration during low-speed maneuvers, a front airbag that failed to deploy in a frontal crash, erratic infotainment behavior paired with a knocking drivetrain, and difficulty shifting out of Park on inclines. NHTSA recorded one recall (19V654000) covering back-up camera software across several Nissan models including the Kicks.
2019 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2019 engine problems →2019 electrical system problems →
Most common Nissan Kicks problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras134 (26%)
- Engine116 (23%)
- Electrical System115 (23%)
- Other111 (22%)
- Brakes70 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain69 (14%)
- Structure & Body41 (8%)
- Fuel System36 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers30 (6%)
- Steering26 (5%)
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Nissan Kicks should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2019 and 2025 Nissan Kicks are the years to avoid, with Complaint Index scores of 86 and 100, the highest among the 8 model years covered (2018-2025).
- What is the best year for the Nissan Kicks?
- The 2022 and 2023 Nissan Kicks are the best years, with Complaint Index scores of just 14 and 0 and complaint counts of only 23 and 18, far below other years.
- Is the 2019 Nissan Kicks reliable?
- The 2019 Kicks had 134 complaints, the highest of any year, with a Complaint Index of 86 and 5 reported crashes. Its top issue was Collision Avoidance & Cameras problems, affecting 34% of its complaints.
- Does the 2025 Nissan Kicks have recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2025 Nissan Kicks, covering combination meter display software, center display blanking in reverse, and incorrect certification labels.
- Should I be cautious about the 2020 or 2021 Nissan Kicks?
- Yes, both are listed as Caution years, with Complaint Index scores of 71 and 57 respectively, sitting between the Avoid years and the Best years.