The Lemon Index
20191st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: stability control
38 owner complaints, first 3 years 33 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 202018 Mitsubishi Outlander 1022018 Ford EcoSport 62
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,000 and 14,000 miles (3,200–23,000 km) (the middle half of the 26 complaints, of all 38 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 19V654000 (back over prevention) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the stability-control light off on a test drive?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Nissan sent dealers 125 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “2018 KICKS; REAR SONAR DOES NOT WORK WITH HEADLAMPS ON This bulletin applies only to vehicles…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Nissan's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 38 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 14K miles (3K to 23K km) on the car (26 of all 38 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Automatic emergency brake indicators would appear intermittently while driving under normal driving conditions. Vehicle indicators will go off even if there is no vehicles ahead
2018 Nissan Kicks owner · NHTSA complaint 11180493
More owner reports
The front sensor for coalition continuous goes off, snow. Sleet, rain, and now when its sunny out. I've had this car for less then 6 months and it had stop working 23 times.
NHTSA complaint 11337307
Frequent automatic emergency braking deactivation while driving during which a warning is displayed that the system is deactivated, a warning light is displayed and cruise control is deactivated.
NHTSA complaint 11165757
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 15.9M views · 2018–2024 Nissan Kicks
Most-watched topics
- Heat, A/C & blend door128K views
Nissan Kicks (2018-2024): Cabin Air Filter Replacement. Air Flow Direction Explained!Morozov Automotive · 68K views · 2 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical114K views
2018 - 2021 Nissan Kicks Key Fob Battery Replacement - How To Replace Change Kicks Remote BatteriesPYR Automotive · 95K views · 2 videos - Transmission & shifter69K views
How to Change Transmission Fluid/Filter 2019-2021 Nissan Kicks/Cars without Transmission dipstickAliMECH · 69K views - Oil changes & service36K views
How to change Engine OIL on 2021 Nissan Kicks/How to reset scheduled maintenance on Nissan KicksAliMECH · 36K views
Show 2 more
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors30K views
Clean or Replace MAF Sensor on Nissan Kicks (2018-2024) | Fix Stalling & Rough IdleEspanglish Garage · 30K views - No-start: theft light, key & ignition30K views
2018 Nissan Kicks Won't Crank no start Issue...1 Click...Fixed...Peter L · 30K views
Before you buy, watch
2021 Nissan Kicks vs 2021 Toyota CHR Which One Should You Buy?Cars Unlocked · 75K views
2020 Nissan Kicks E-Power Review : Kicks Ass or Ass-Kicked? - CarBuyer.com.sg SingaporeCarBuyer Singapore · 63K views
2023 Nissan Kicks Review | Behind the WheelAutoDeal.com.ph · 682K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2018 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 125 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 2018 KICKS; REAR SONAR DOES NOT WORK WITH HEADLAMPS ON This bulletin applies only to vehicles…
- Kicks; no start/drivability issues, battery light on, and/or mil on during freezing…
- DTC B12A3-72 FOR FUEL PUMP RELAY STUCK OPEN SERVICE INFORMATION DTC B12A3-72 (Fuel Pump Relay…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2019
Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Kicks SUV FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,800 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl.
Every Nissan Kicks year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 7 Nissan Kicks years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2018 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-kicks/?y=2018" title="Nissan Kicks reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/nissan-kicks/2018/">Lemon Index</a> (2018 Nissan Kicks reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2018 Nissan Kicks reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 161; 100 is average, lower is better). 2018 is one of the weaker years of a model that usually draws about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car. The Nissan Kicks year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2022.
What are the most common 2018 Nissan Kicks problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are stability control (32%), electrical (29%) and brakes (24%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Nissan Kicks have?
1 safety recall (latest: back over prevention). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Nissan Kicks get?
33 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2018 Nissan Kicks problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,000 and 14,000 miles (3,200–23,000 km) (the middle half of the 26 complaints, of all 38 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2018 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2018 Nissan Kicks have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 Nissan Kicks cost in fuel a year?
About $1,800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Nissan Kicks have?
1.6L 4-cyl.
What Nissan Kicks year is better than the 2018?
Nearby, the 2021 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit over half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2022 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works