Last updated: 2026-03-04
Audi Q3 vs Nissan Kicks: Reliability Compared
Audi Q3
Nissan Kicks
Choosing between the Audi Q3 and the Nissan Kicks? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Nissan Kicks currently leads with an average score of 78/100 compared to 73/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Nissan Kicks is more reliable than the Audi Q3, scoring 78/100 vs 73/100.
Key Differences
- 1Nissan Kicks has 7 fewer total recalls
- 2Nissan Kicks scores 5 points higher in reliability
- 3Audi Q3 has 1.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Audi Q3 vs Nissan Kicks: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Audi Q3 | Nissan Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 73/100 | 78/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 17 | 10 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 6.4 | 8.3 |
| Year Wins | 1 | 7 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Audi Q3 and Nissan Kicks?
| Component | Audi Q3 | Nissan Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.5Low | 1.8Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.9Very Low | 1.2Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.4Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.2Very Low | 0.8Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.3Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.4Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.4Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| EQUIPMENT | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| TIRES | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| WHEELS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Audi Q3 vs Nissan Kicks Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Audi Q3 | Nissan Kicks | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 75/1001R / 3C | 78/1003R / 24C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2024 | 75/1002R / 16C | 81/1001R / 20C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2023 | 74/1001R / 1C | 80/1001R / 23C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2022 | 70/1005R / 28C | 82/1000R / 19C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2021 | 74/1002R / 13C | 78/1002R / 66C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2020 | 69/1002R / 62C | 78/1000R / 85C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2019 | 72/1003R / 10C | 73/1001R / 123C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2018 | 74/1001R / 25C | 71/1001R / 78C | Audi Q3 |
| 2026(predicted) | 66/100(predicted) | 80/100(predicted) | Nissan Kicks |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Audi Q3 scored 75/100 and the 2022 Nissan Kicks scored 82/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Audi Q3 vs Nissan Kicks: Common Questions
- Is the Audi Q3 more reliable than the Nissan Kicks?
- Based on our data, the Nissan Kicks is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 73/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Audi Q3 or the Nissan Kicks?
- The Audi Q3 has more recalls (17) compared to the Nissan Kicks (10). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Audi Q3 or the Nissan Kicks?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Audi Q3 has a lower complaint rate at 6.4 per 10,000 sold versus 8.3 for the Nissan Kicks. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Audi Q3 comparisons
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
See incorrect data? Report an issue