Most Nissan Kicks VINs open with 3N1 (Mexico, 2018–2025) or 3N8 (Mexico, 2025–2026). Position 11, the plant, reads L; a 2026 Kicks carries T in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 10 recall campaigns and 525 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Nissan Kicks VIN
Here is a real 2024 Nissan Kicks VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN 3N1CP5BV0RL586393 — decoded free on its own report page.
| Position | Section | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | WMI | World Manufacturer Identifier — country, manufacturer and vehicle type. |
| 4–8 | VDS | Vehicle Descriptor Section — body style, engine, restraint system, series. |
| 9 | Check digit | A calculated digit that validates the whole VIN. Wrong digit = wrong VIN. |
| 10 | Model year | One character for the model year. Letters skip I, O, Q, U and Z. |
| 11 | Plant | The assembly plant that built the car. |
| 12–17 | Serial | Sequential production number of this exact vehicle. |
Nissan Kicks VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
The Nissan Kicks VINs on record carry 2 different prefixes. The main one is 3N1 (Mexico, 2018–2025), then 3N8 (Mexico, 2025–2026):
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3N1 | 2018–2025 | Mexico | Passenger Car | |
| 3N8 | 2025–2026 | Mexico | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) |
Counted from 524 dated Nissan Kicks VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the Nissan Kicks
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Nissan Kicks has not yet outlived: its 9 years still map one-to-one. All 9 model years of the Nissan Kicks, 2018 to 2026, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | T | — |
| 2025 | S | — |
| 2024 | R | — |
| 2023 | P | — |
| 2022 | N | — |
| 2021 | M | — |
| 2020 | L | — |
| 2019 | K | — |
| 2018 | J | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Nissan Kicks VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 73 VINs the Nissan Kicks uses 5 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | C (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 5 — series | P (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 8 — engine | V (70%) · U (23%) · 9 (7%) | 3 distinct |
What a decoded Nissan Kicks VIN gets you
Behind a Nissan Kicks VIN: 525 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 10 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 525 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 33 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Crash-test ratings | 8 rated model years | NHTSA |
| Model years covered | 9 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Nissan Kicks
A Nissan Kicks VIN normally opens with 3N1; the full number sits in four places, and all four must match.
| Where | How to see it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dashboard, driver side | Through the windshield, bottom corner | Easiest to check before you touch anything |
| Driver door jamb | Open the door, sticker on the pillar | Also lists tire pressures and build date |
| Under the hood | Firewall or strut tower plate | Survives a windshield replacement |
| Title and insurance | Paper documents | Must match the car — a mismatch means fraud or a swapped panel |
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Frequently asked questions
Is this Nissan Kicks VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 10 recall campaigns and 525 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Nissan Kicks.
Why does my Kicks VIN start differently from another Kicks?
Because the Nissan Kicks was built under several maker codes, by plant and period. Across the Nissan Kicks VINs on record we see 2 of them: 3N1 (2018–2025), 3N8 (2025–2026). Each is genuine for its years.
What year is my Kicks by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2026 Kicks carries T, a 2025 Kicks carries S, a 2024 Kicks carries R.
Where was my Kicks built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 525 dated Nissan Kicks VINs it reads L 100%.
What does position 4 mean on a Nissan Kicks VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 73 Nissan Kicks VINs here, C is the most common character in position 4, on 100% of them.
What if the VIN on the dashboard doesn't match the door jamb?
On a Nissan Kicks check the prefix first: most genuine ones open with 3N1 or 3N8. A plate that starts with anything else, or disagrees with the other copies of the number, needs documents checked before any money changes hands.
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