Nissan Kicks Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Nissan Kicks model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (77) and the 2019 the most (134).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
8 | 3 | Unknown or other | 4★ | 30–31 |
| 2022 | 23 | 0 | Forward collision avoidance | 4★ | 33 |
| 2023 | 34 | 1 | Forward collision avoidance | 4★ | 33 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
37 | 1 | Unknown or other | 4★ | 33 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
39 | 4 | Unknown or other | 4★ | 30–33 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
77 | 2 | Structure | 4★ | 33 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
86 | 1 | Unknown or other | — | 33 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
97 | 0 | Forward collision avoidance | 4★ | 33 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
134 | 1 | Forward collision avoidance | 4★ | 33 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Nissan Kicks years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2019 Nissan Kicks: 134 complaints
Most-reported: Forward collision avoidance 43 (32%); Electrical system 39 (29%); Engine 35 (26%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 18,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2020 Nissan Kicks: 97 complaints
Most-reported: Forward collision avoidance 34 (35%); Electrical system 27 (28%); Power train 21 (22%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 6,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Nissan Kicks: 86 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 23 (27%); Engine 23 (27%); Forward collision avoidance 20 (23%).
Reports mention 1 crash. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 6,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
The Nissan Kicks years with the fewest complaints
2021 Nissan Kicks: 77 complaints
Most-reported: Structure 24 (31%); Forward collision avoidance 15 (19%); Electrical system 11 (14%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 2 injuries. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Nissan Kicks: 86 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 23 (27%); Engine 23 (27%); Forward collision avoidance 20 (23%).
Reports mention 1 crash. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 6,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2020 Nissan Kicks: 97 complaints
Most-reported: Forward collision avoidance 34 (35%); Electrical system 27 (28%); Power train 21 (22%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 6,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Nissan Kicks owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 39 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8,958 |
| 2024 | 37 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21,421 |
| 2023 | 34 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 77 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 97 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6,000 |
| 2019 | 134 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 18,000 |
| 2018 | 86 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Nissan Kicks recalls
- No Back-Up Camera Display Image/FMVSS 111 (2018–2019 model years; 1,228,830 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2019; 19V654000)
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 (2025 model year; 79,755 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2025; 25V324000)
- Blank Screen Display/FMVSS 101 (2025–2026 model years; 51,598 vehicles across all models; filed May 2026; 26V331000)
- Incorrect Weight Rating on GAWR and GVWR Label (2025 model year; 37,003 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2025; 25V188000)
- Improperly Welded Door Strikers/FMVSS 206 (2026 model year; 26,432 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2026; 26V023000)
All 10 Nissan Kicks recall campaigns · Nissan Kicks problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Nissan Kicks years FAQ
Which Nissan Kicks year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (77). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Nissan Kicks years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2019, 2020 and 2018 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the forward collision avoidance. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Nissan Kicks problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the forward collision avoidance (132 of 535 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Nissan Kicks have?
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns covering the Nissan Kicks. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Nissan Kicks recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.