The 2019 draws 12.18 complaints per run and the 2020 3.21, a 3.8-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 2 years of age, so 48.9% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Forward Collision Avoidance, with 132 complaints, typically at 3.5 years.
Nissan Kicks years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 6 | too new | |
| 2025 | 39 | 29 | too new | |
| 2024 | 36 | 22 | too new | |
| 2023 | 33 | 16 | too new | |
| 2022 | 22 | 16 | too new | |
| 2021 | 78 | 25 | too new | |
| 2020 | 93 | 29 | yes | |
| 2019 | 134 | 11 | yes | |
| 2018 | 84 | 13 | yes |
Does the market discount it? In our listings a 2019 Kicks asks a median $9,999, against $10,947 for a 2020, the next model year: about 9% less, so sellers do price some of the trouble in.
Among the 3 Nissan Kicks years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2019, 2018, 2020; the three worth hunting are 2020, 2018, 2019.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 13.7% | covered | |
| 1 year | 36.8% | covered | |
| 2 years | 51.1% | covered | |
| 3 years | 62.3% | you pay | |
| 4 years | 75.4% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 86.3% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 94.8% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 98.1% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 51.1% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 48.9% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 33% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the Nissan Kicks, the early trouble is Forward Collision Avoidance and Electrical System — reported at around 3.5 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 3.5 yrs | 5 | — | |
| Electrical System | 3.2 yrs | 4 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 2.5 yrs | 1 | 1 | |
| Engine | 3.5 yrs | — | — | |
| Power Train | 3.6 yrs | 2 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 3.1 yrs | 6 | — | |
| Structure | 1.3 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2.6 yrs | — | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the Kicks's vehicle class. Per production run, the Toyota Camry draws 5.65, the Honda Accord 4.02 and the Dodge Challenger 3.27, against 3.14 for the Kicks. That is the fewest complaints of the group.
| Same class as the Kicks | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Camry | 161 | 1983–2026 | |
| Honda Accord | 415 | 1981–2026 | |
| Dodge Challenger | 77 | 1981–2026 | |
| Toyota Prius | 109 | 2001–2026 | |
| Hyundai Elantra | 117 | 1992–2026 | |
| Nissan Altima | 148 | 1993–2026 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
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- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Nissan Kicks reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 3.14 against 3.73 for the average car, and fewer than each of the 3 class rivals we compared.
Which Kicks years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2019, 2018, 2020. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2020, 2018, 2019. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do Kicks problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 2 years of age. The most reported system is Forward Collision Avoidance, typically at 3.5 years, followed by Electrical System.
Will the warranty cover Kicks problems?
Mostly yes: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and 51.1% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 33% of the complaints here.
Is the Kicks more reliable than the Toyota Camry?
Yes: 3.14 complaints per production run for the Kicks against 5.65 for the Toyota Camry.
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