Last updated: 2026-07-26
Buick Encore vs Nissan Kicks: Reliability Compared
Buick Encore
Nissan Kicks
Choosing between the Buick Encore 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 Buick Encore currently leads with an average score of 79/100 compared to 78/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Buick Encore and Nissan Kicks Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Buick Encore is more reliable than the Nissan Kicks, scoring 79/100 vs 78/100.
The Nissan Kicks and Buick Encore both offer solid reliability for compact SUVs, with the Encore slightly edging out the Kicks with an average reliability score of 79 versus 78. The Encore also has a lower owner complaint rate of 6.9 per 10,000 sold compared to the Kicks' 8.3, and fewer total recalls, with four over five years against the Kicks' ten over nine years. A key differentiator is the estimated annual repair cost, where the Encore is estimated at $466, providing a clearer picture of potential maintenance expenses. Overall, the Buick Encore demonstrates marginally better reliability based on these metrics.
Key Differences
- 1Buick Encore has 6 fewer total recalls
- 2Buick Encore has 1.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Buick Encore scores 1 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Buick Encore vs Nissan Kicks: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Buick Encore | Nissan Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 79/100 | 78/100 |
| Years Tracked | 5 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 4 | 10 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 6.9 | 8.3 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2022 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 3 | 2 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Encore and Nissan Kicks?
The Nissan Kicks exhibits a higher number of complaints overall, with significant issues in the electrical system, accounting for 96 complaints, including 3 linked to crashes. In contrast, the Buick Encore has fewer total complaints but is notably affected by engine issues, with 40 complaints, and air bag problems, which are particularly severe, with 11 of the 19 complaints linked to crashes. Both vehicles have power train concerns, although the Kicks reports slightly fewer complaints in this area compared to the Encore. The Encore's air bag issue poses a major safety risk, whereas the Kicks faces a broader range of issues, especially in its electrical system.
| Component | Buick Encore | Nissan Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.7Very Low | 1.8Low |
| ENGINE | 1.5Low | 0.5Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1Very Low | 0.8Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.4Very Low | 1.2Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.4Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.7Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| WHEELS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick Encore or Nissan Kicks?
How Does Buick Encore vs Nissan Kicks Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Buick Encore | Nissan Kicks | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 80/1000R / 8C | 82/1000R / 19C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2021 | 80/1000R / 9C | 78/1002R / 66C | Buick Encore |
| 2020 | 77/1002R / 19C | 78/1000R / 85C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2019 | 76/1002R / 82C | 73/1001R / 123C | Buick Encore |
| 2018 | 80/1000R / 72C | 71/1001R / 78C | Buick Encore |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Buick Encore scored 80/100 and the 2022 Nissan Kicks scored 82/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Buick Encore vs the Nissan Kicks?
Buick Encore vs Nissan Kicks: Common Questions
- Is the Buick Encore more reliable than the Nissan Kicks?
- Based on our data, the Buick Encore is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 78/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Buick Encore or the Nissan Kicks?
- The Nissan Kicks has more recalls (10) compared to the Buick Encore (4). 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 Buick Encore or the Nissan Kicks?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Encore has a lower complaint rate at 6.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 8.3 for the Nissan Kicks. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Buick Encore or Nissan Kicks safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Buick Encore has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Nissan Kicks. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Buick Encore and Nissan Kicks? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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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