Nissan Kicks Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Nissan Kicks model year (2018–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Nissan Kicks Years to Avoid
1 recall · 138 complaints
4 reported injuries
Top issue: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 149
1 recall · 82 complaints
Top issue: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 85
0 recalls · 79 complaints
3 reported injuries
Top issue: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Problem score: 85
Best Nissan Kicks Years to Buy
1 recall · 4 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 7
0 recalls · 16 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 16
0 recalls · 18 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 18
Found the right year? Verify that specific Kicks with a free VIN report.
Nissan Kicks — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 4 | — | — | 7 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 2 | 13 | 1 | — | 21 | Good |
| 2024 | 0 | 28 | — | — | 28 | Good |
| 2023 | 0 | 16 | — | — | 16 | Good |
| 2022 | 0 | 18 | — | — | 18 | Good |
| 2021 | 1 | 34 | — | — | 37 | Good |
| 2020 | 0 | 79 | 3 | — | 85 | Caution |
| 2019 | 1 | 138 | 4 | — | 149 | Avoid |
| 2018 | 1 | 82 | — | — | 85 | Caution |
All 9 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Nissan Kicks Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent Kicks models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 7 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Kicks should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2019 Nissan Kicks if possible. It has 1 recall, 138 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 149 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Kicks to buy?+
The 2026 Nissan Kicks is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 7. It has only 1 recall and 4 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Kicks has the fewest problems?+
The 2026, 2023, 2022 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Nissan Kicks Research
Check a Specific Nissan Kicks VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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