VehicleVerdict

2026 Nissan Kicks problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 5 complaints on file for the 2026 Nissan Kicks — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

5

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2026 compare to other Kicks years?

Kicks NHTSA complaints by model year, 2026 highlighted252 complaints2018: 154 complaints2019: 252 complaints2020: 179 complaints2021: 100 complaints2022: 37 complaints2023: 56 complaints2024: 43 complaints2025: 41 complaints2026: 5 complaints
Kicks NHTSA complaints by model year, 2026 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Kicks years to avoid →

What are the most common 2026 Nissan Kicks problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System120%
Other120%
Steering120%
Tires & Wheels120%
Transmission120%

Does the 2026 Nissan Kicks have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V331000Electrical SystemMay 21, 2026 · 51,598 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Kicks vehicles. A software error in the combination meter may cause the screen display to go partially or fully blank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."

Consequence

A partial or blank screen display will not show critical safety information such as vehicle speed and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the combination meter software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 1, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA66. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 22, 2026.

26V145000SeatsMarch 13, 2026 · 15 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2026 Kicks and Sentra vehicles. The hook bracket of the front seat frames may be insufficiently welded, which can cause the front seat frames to become loose. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 207, "Seating Systems" and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Consequence

A loose seat may not restrain the occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the front seat assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA64. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 13, 2026.

26V023000Latches & LocksJanuary 20, 2026 · 26,432 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima, Sentra, 2025-2026 Frontier, and 2026 Kicks vehicles. The door strikers may have been improperly welded and break, allowing the door to open while moving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."

Consequence

A door that opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion increases the risk of injury or a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the door strikers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD185 and PMA61. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 28, 2026.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

To whom it may concern: I am writing to express my concern regarding the recurring issues with the safety cameras on my 2026 Nissan Kicks, which were purchased on [XXX]. Despite multiple visits to the dealership for repairs and replacements, the problem persists. Initially, the cameras were not…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 18, 2026

2026 Nissan Kicks, less than 1,500 mi. Computer system several warning lights appeared without notice; caused car to shut off and sputter before starting several times. The first time the warning lights that came on were: Warning (exclamation point inside triangle); Malfunction See Owner's Manual…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 26, 2025

2026 Nissan Kicks, less than 1,500 mi. Computer system several warning lights appeared without notice; caused car to shut off and sputter before starting several times. The first time the warning lights that came on were: Warning (exclamation point inside triangle); Malfunction See Owner's Manual…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 26, 2025

2026 Nissan Kicks, less than 1,500 mi. Computer system several warning lights appeared without notice; caused car to shut off and sputter before starting several times. The first time the warning lights that came on were: Warning (exclamation point inside triangle); Malfunction See Owner's Manual…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 26, 2025

I am writing to file a formal safety complaint concerning a rental vehicle provided to me by Hertz, 1) because I want to help ensure this does not happen to anyone else, and 2) to request action that prevents a similar safety failure from recurring. Hertz rented me a near-new vehicle to transport…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · April 22, 2026

2026 Nissan Kicks — common questions

Is the 2026 Nissan Kicks reliable?

The record is thin — 5 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2026 Nissan Kicks have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2026 Nissan Kicks. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Kicks years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Kicks years to avoid are 2019, 2020, 2018, 2021. The cleanest record among Kicks years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2026 Nissan Kicks?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2026 Nissan Kicks earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.