The Lemon Index
201920211st generation
Better than average · most complaints: automatic emergency braking
41 owner complaints, first 3 years 33 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2020 Hyundai Palisade 2582020 Chevrolet Blazer 342020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 54
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 19 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has it ever braked hard for no reason? Ask whether the safety-system software was updated.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Nissan sent dealers 123 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING WARNING LIGHT BLINKING APPLIED SYSTEMS: Vehicles equipped with a…”?
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 41 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 0K to 22K miles (0K to 35K km) on the car (19 of all 41 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
The car stalled while driving causing a safety concern. The engine was still running, however, the car would not move. After shutting it down and restarting the car a secomd time, the car started moving again.
2020 Nissan Kicks owner · NHTSA complaint 11342309
More owner reports
Motor issues constant ticking noise the motor is making looks like Nissan is not wanting to cover powertrain warranty looks like upper part of motor has issues and could stop working at anytime especially on a busy highway.
NHTSA complaint 11512338
While entering tunnel approx 40 mph vehicle briefly applied feb
NHTSA complaint 11405074
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 2020 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 123 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING WARNING LIGHT BLINKING APPLIED SYSTEMS: Vehicles equipped with a…
- Lane camera aiming vehicle reference values not in esm service information if the lane camera…
- LANE CAMERA AIMING VEHICLE REFERENCE VALUES NOT IN ESM This bulletin has been amended
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
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 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
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. 2020 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 2020 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-kicks/?y=2020" 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/2020/">Lemon Index</a> (2020 Nissan Kicks reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2020 Nissan Kicks reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 72; 100 is average, lower is better). The Nissan Kicks year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2022.
What are the most common 2020 Nissan Kicks problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (51%), engine (24%) and fuel system (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 Nissan Kicks have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Nissan Kicks get?
33 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2020 Nissan Kicks safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2020 Nissan Kicks have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2020 Nissan Kicks cost in fuel a year?
About $1,800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2020 Nissan Kicks have?
1.6L 4-cyl.
What Nissan Kicks year is better than the 2020?
Nearby, the 2022 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a quarter as many complaints as the average car).
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