Last updated: 2026-10-10
Buick Encore GX vs Nissan Kicks: Reliability Compared
Buick Encore GX
Nissan Kicks
Slight edge goes to the Nissan Kicks over the Buick Encore GX on reliability, and both rate good. The Encore GX has fewer complaints per car sold and fewer recalls, so the gap is narrow. Each model has its own weak spot to check before you buy.
How Do the Buick Encore GX and Nissan Kicks Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Nissan Kicks is more reliable than the Buick Encore GX, scoring 78/100 vs 76/100.
A slight edge goes to the Nissan Kicks, and both cars rate good, so the gap is small. The Encore GX looks cleaner on paper, with fewer complaints per car sold and fewer recalls. Still, the Kicks holds the higher standing, and the data shows no single failure that separates the two. Treat this as a close call. Condition, service history, and the specific model year matter more than the badge.
Key Differences
- 1Buick Encore GX has 4 fewer total recalls
- 2Nissan Kicks scores 2 points higher in reliability
- 3Buick Encore GX has 1.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Buick Encore GX vs Nissan Kicks: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Buick Encore GX | Nissan Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 76/100 | 78/100 |
| Years Tracked | 7 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 6 | 10 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 6.4 | 8.3 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 1 | 6 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Encore GX and Nissan Kicks?
Electrical faults lead the Kicks complaints. Owners report rear hatch glass shattering on a parked car, a fuel gauge that stops working, sudden power loss with a "System Malfunction" message, and rear automatic braking that stops the car for no reason. The Encore GX centers on the shifter. A false "Shift to Park" warning leaves the car running and the horn honking, and owners report backordered parts. Crash-linked reports appear in three Kicks areas: electrical, power train, and brakes. On the Encore GX, they appear only in brakes, where owners describe a very stiff pedal.
| Component | Buick Encore GX | Nissan Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.2Low | 1.8Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.4Low | 0.8Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.9Very Low | 1.2Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.6Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.7Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| EQUIPMENT | 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 Buick Encore GX vs Nissan Kicks Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Buick Encore GX | Nissan Kicks | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 82/1000R / 1C | 83/1001R / 1C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2025 | 79/1000R / 14C | 78/1003R / 24C | Buick Encore GX |
| 2024 | 77/1001R / 27C | 81/1001R / 20C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2023 | 79/1000R / 23C | 80/1001R / 23C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2022 | 74/1001R / 29C | 82/1000R / 19C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2021 | 74/1002R / 50C | 78/1002R / 66C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2020 | 70/1002R / 66C | 78/1000R / 85C | Nissan Kicks |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Buick Encore GX scored 79/100 and the 2022 Nissan Kicks scored 82/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.
Who Should Buy the Buick Encore GX vs the Nissan Kicks?
Buick Encore GX vs Nissan Kicks: Common Questions
- Is the Nissan Kicks more reliable than the Buick Encore GX?
- Slightly, yes. Both models rate good, and the Kicks holds a slight edge. The Encore GX looks better on complaints per car sold and recall count, so the lead is not large. Check the individual car's history and model year before you let the badge decide.
- Which has more recalls, the Kicks or the Encore GX?
- The Kicks has more. Federal recall records show 10 recalls across 9 model years for the Kicks, and 6 across 7 model years for the Encore GX. A recall repair is free when handled, so check the VIN on any car you consider.
- Which has fewer owner complaints?
- The Encore GX. It has 6.4 complaints per 10,000 sold, against 8.3 for the Kicks. The Kicks has more total complaints, 439 against 210, though it also has more model years on the road, which gives it more time to collect them.
- What is the "Shift to Park" problem on the Encore GX?
- It is a false warning that appears after the shifter is put in Park. The engine or accessory mode can stay on, chimes sound, and the horn may honk when the driver walks away. Owners report shifting between Drive and Reverse many times to clear it. Dealers blame the shifter and connector.
- Do Kicks owners report rear glass breaking?
- Yes. Owners report the rear window or hatch glass shattering with a loud pop while the car is parked, even with nobody touching it. In one report the car had to be towed and the dealer found no cause. Ask the seller about any glass replacement.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Buick Encore GX and Nissan Kicks? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Buick Encore GX and Nissan Kicks
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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