The best Kicks years to buy are 2021 and 2022. Avoid the 2018: the first year drew the most complaints, led by a mass airflow sensor fault that causes stalling and warning lights.
Best years: 20212022 Years to avoid: 2018
Every Kicks year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Year by year
About the Kicks
The Kicks is Nissan's small front-wheel-drive crossover, sold from 2018 with a 1.6-liter engine and a CVT. Its complaint rate is about average. The 2018 and 2019 drew many reports of a mass airflow sensor fault (code P0101) that triggers several warning lights, cuts power and can stall the car, along with false automatic emergency braking. The 2021 refresh is much cleaner.
- 2018-2020: Launch years. Mass airflow sensor and automatic braking complaints.
- 2021-2024: Refresh with new styling and screen. Fewer complaints.
Kicks vs rivals
Questions
What is the best year for the Nissan Kicks?
2021 and 2022. The best Kicks years to buy are 2021 and 2022. Avoid the 2018: the first year drew the most complaints, led by a mass airflow sensor fault that causes stalling and warning lights.
Which Nissan Kicks years should I avoid?
2018. These drew far more owner complaints per car sold than the Nissan Kicks average.
Why does the Nissan Kicks show several warning lights at once?
On many 2018-2019 Kicks, a faulty mass airflow sensor sets code P0101 and turns on the engine, traction and collision warning lights together. Replacing the sensor usually costs $150 to $400.
Based on 495 complaints filed by owners with U.S. safety regulators for model years 2018 to 2024, and U.S. sales by calendar year. How we score.