What year Nissan Kicks should I avoid?

Avoid the 2019 and 2020 Nissan Kicks. They carry complaint index scores of 86 and 100, the two highest in the lineup, with collision avoidance and camera issues as the top problem area in both years.

What is the best year for the Nissan Kicks?

The 2022 and 2023 Nissan Kicks are rated Best, with complaint index scores of 14 and 0. The 2023 model year has only 18 total complaints, the fewest of any year.

Is the 2020 Nissan Kicks reliable based on owner complaints?

The 2020 Kicks has the highest complaint index (100) of any Kicks model year, with 96 total complaints and 7 crashes reported to NHTSA, mostly tied to Collision Avoidance & Camera issues.

Does the Nissan Kicks have recalls?

Across all model years, NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the Kicks. The 2019 model year had one recall covering back-up camera software, while 2020 had none.

Is the 2025 Nissan Kicks a good choice?

The 2025 Kicks is rated Caution, with a complaint index of 71 and 4 recall campaigns, more than any other year, plus 1 reported fire.

Nissan Kicks Best and Worst Years (2018–2025)

Avoid the 2019 and 2020 Nissan Kicks, which post complaint index scores of 86 and 100 (the highest in the lineup) driven mainly by collision avoidance and camera problems. The 2022 and 2023 model years are the best choice, with complaint index scores of just 14 and 0.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2019 Avoid 2020 Best 2022 Best 2023

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.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

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	Avoid	100	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	Caution	71	37	2	1	4	Visibility & Wipers	31	4★

Kicks years to avoid: what went wrong

2020 Nissan Kicks Index 100 · 96 complaints · 0 recalls

The 2020 Kicks ranks worst overall with a complaint index of 100, the highest of any year. Collision Avoidance & Cameras problems make up 35% of complaints, including reports of automatic emergency braking triggering without cause. Electrical System issues follow at 28% (median failure mileage 59,000), and Transmission & Powertrain complaints account for 21% (median 54,000 miles). NHTSA logged 7 crashes and 3 injuries for this year, more than any other Kicks model year, though no recalls were issued for 2020.

2020 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2020 electrical system problems →2020 engine problems →

2019 Nissan Kicks Index 86 · 134 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2019 Kicks has the second-worst complaint index (86) in the lineup, with 134 total complaints. Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues lead at 34% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 43,600 miles, followed by Engine problems (32%, median 26,903 miles) and Electrical System faults (29%, median 22,451 miles). Owners reported false forward-collision warnings, rear camera malfunctions, and unexpected acceleration events. NHTSA recorded 5 crashes and 3 injuries for this year. A recall (19V654000) addressed back-up camera settings software across multiple 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 across all model years.

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%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Nissan Kicks should I avoid?: Avoid the 2019 and 2020 Nissan Kicks. They carry complaint index scores of 86 and 100, the two highest in the lineup, with collision avoidance and camera issues as the top problem area in both years.
What is the best year for the Nissan Kicks?: The 2022 and 2023 Nissan Kicks are rated Best, with complaint index scores of 14 and 0. The 2023 model year has only 18 total complaints, the fewest of any year.
Is the 2020 Nissan Kicks reliable based on owner complaints?: The 2020 Kicks has the highest complaint index (100) of any Kicks model year, with 96 total complaints and 7 crashes reported to NHTSA, mostly tied to Collision Avoidance & Camera issues.
Does the Nissan Kicks have recalls?: Across all model years, NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the Kicks. The 2019 model year had one recall covering back-up camera software, while 2020 had none.
Is the 2025 Nissan Kicks a good choice?: The 2025 Kicks is rated Caution, with a complaint index of 71 and 4 recall campaigns, more than any other year, plus 1 reported fire.