The most-reported Kicks run is 3N1CP5CU5KL (2019 builds) with 16 complaints, 5.2× the typical run. Forward collision avoidance problems make up 20% of reports; 2019 is the worst model year at 12.2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for Kicks model years 2018–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Nissan Kicks has 167 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 14% of every Kicks complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3N1CP5CU5KL•••••• | 2019 | 1 | — | |
| 3N1CP5CU9KL•••••• | 2019 | 1 | — | |
| 3N1CP5CU3KL•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 3N1CP5CU7KL•••••• | 2019 | 1 | — | |
| 3N1CP5CU4KL•••••• | 2019 | 1 | — | |
| 3N1CP5CU8KL•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 3N1CP5CUXKL•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 3N1CP5CU6KL•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 3N1CP5CU8JL•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| 3N1CP5CU2JL•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| 3N1CP5CU6JL•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| 3N1CP5CU0KL•••••• | 2019 | — | — |
Each of the other 155 Kicks runs has 10 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 73 Kicks VINs so far, most often 2024, 2020, 2019 builds; 10 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Nissan Kicks the gap between build years is 3.9×: a 2019 car draws 12.2 complaints per run, a 2021 one 3.1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 6 | — | |
| 2025 | 39 | 29 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 36 | 22 | 2 | |
| 2023 | 33 | 16 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 22 | 16 | 2 | |
| 2021 | 78 | 25 | 6 | |
| 2020 | 93 | 29 | 6 | |
| 2019 | 134 | 11 | 5 | |
| 2018 | 84 | 13 | 1 |
Heaviest year here is 2019 at 12.2 complaints per run; lightest is 2026 at 1. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 20% of everything Nissan Kicks owners report: Forward Collision Avoidance, 132 of 525 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 5 | — | |
| Electrical System | 4 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 1 | |
| Engine | — | — | |
| Power Train | 2 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 6 | — | |
| Structure | 1 | — | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 10 recall campaigns on the Nissan Kicks; the 6 below cover build years 2018 to 2026. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 26V331000 | Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel | 2025–2026 |
| 24V154000 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module | 2023–2024 |
| 19V654000 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 2018–2019 |
| 26V023000 | Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch | 2026 |
| 26V145000 | Seats | 2026 |
| 24V969000 | Electrical System:body Control Module/bcm | 2025 |
26V331000 was opened in 2026 on cars built from 2025: 1 year on the road before the recall.
The Kicks against its rivals
The Kicks draws 3.1 complaints per production run; the Toyota Prius 13.3 and the Kia Forte 3.8. That is the lowest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Kicks | 525 | 167 | 5% | |
| Toyota Prius | 10,797 | 811 | 7.9% | |
| Kia Forte | 2,428 | 637 | 8.9% |
How serious were they
Of the 525 reports on the Nissan Kicks, 5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Nissan Kicks | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 525 | 1,116,631 |
| Involved a crash | 26 (5%) | 64,221 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 1 (0.2%) | 26,977 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 12 | 58,047 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Nissan Kicks share of that is 525 complaints over 167 runs, 0.05% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Nissan Kicks VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 525 NHTSA complaints from 167 Kicks runs and 10 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Kicks production run has the most complaints?
3N1CP5CU5KL, a 2019 build, with 16 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Kicks run has 3.1.
Which Kicks years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2019 is heaviest at 12.2 complaints per run and 2026 lightest at 1.
Does the Kicks get more complaints than the Toyota Prius?
No: 3.1 complaints per production run for the Kicks against 13.3 for the Toyota Prius.
How many Kicks complaints involve a crash?
5% of 525 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 1 involved a fire.
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