Is the Jeep Cherokee 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 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Jeep Cherokee or the Nissan Kicks?

The Jeep Cherokee has more recalls (105) 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 Jeep Cherokee or the Nissan Kicks?

The Nissan Kicks has fewer owner complaints (439) versus 4984 for the Jeep Cherokee. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.

Is the Jeep Cherokee or Nissan Kicks safer?

Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Jeep Cherokee 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.

Last updated: 2026-03-28

Jeep Cherokee vs Nissan Kicks: Reliability Compared

Jeep Cherokee

Good

More Reliable

Nissan Kicks

Good

Choosing between the Jeep Cherokee 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 69/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Jeep Cherokee and Nissan Kicks Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Nissan Kicks is in its second generation, which began in 2025. This new generation follows the first generation (2018–2025), which included a significant facelift in 2021. The transition to a new platform often brings potential for first-year issues, as manufacturers work out initial production bugs. In contrast, the Jeep Cherokee lacks detailed generation history, making it challenging to assess its reliability trends based on platform maturity. Generally, mature platforms like the first-generation Kicks, especially post-facelift, tend to be more reliable as they have had time to resolve initial concerns.

Verdict

The Nissan Kicks is more reliable than the Jeep Cherokee, scoring 78/100 vs 69/100.

The Nissan Kicks demonstrates stronger reliability than the Jeep Cherokee, with an average reliability score of 78/100 compared to the Cherokee's 69/100. The Kicks also has a significantly lower complaint rate of 8.3 per 10,000 sold and only 10 recalls over nine years, whereas the Cherokee has faced 105 recalls in eight years and a high number of total owner complaints. Although the Cherokee's estimated annual repair cost of $520 provides some cost predictability, the Kicks' superior reliability metrics and lower complaint rate make it the more dependable choice in the compact SUV segment.

Key Differences

1Nissan Kicks has 95 fewer total recalls
2Nissan Kicks scores 9 points higher in reliability
3Jeep Cherokee has a 1-star higher safety rating

Category Scoreboard

1Jeep Cherokee

—

2Nissan Kicks

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsSafety Rating

Jeep Cherokee vs Nissan Kicks: Which Is More Reliable?

Jeep Cherokee vs Nissan Kicks at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Jeep Cherokee	Nissan Kicks
Reliability Score	69/100	78/100
Years Tracked	8	9
Total Recalls	105	10
Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume	4984	439
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	0	7

What Are the Common Problems With the Jeep Cherokee and Nissan Kicks?

The Nissan Kicks and Jeep Cherokee exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Cherokee having a significantly higher total complaint count at 4984 compared to the Kicks' 439. The Cherokee's most prevalent issues are with the power train and electrical system, accumulating 1330 and 1161 complaints respectively, with the power train linked to 19 crashes. In contrast, the Kicks' top problem areas are the electrical system with 96 complaints and the category of unknown or other with 63 complaints, both with minimal crash linkage. Notably, the Cherokee has a substantial number of crash-linked complaints in the air bags category, 65 in total, highlighting a critical safety concern not mirrored in the Kicks' profile.

Jeep Cherokee vs Nissan Kicks common problem areas comparison
Component	Jeep Cherokee	Nissan Kicks
POWER TRAIN	1330	44
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1161	96
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	579	63
ENGINE	415	24
STEERING	370	18
SERVICE BRAKES	252	35
AIR BAGS	107	11
SUSPENSION	101	3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	85	8
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	52	5
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	28	23
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	33	—
STRUCTURE	—	27
LANE DEPARTURE	3	4
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—	7
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—	5
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	—	5
WHEELS	—	3
VISIBILITY	—	2

Raw complaint counts aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports. Counts vary with sales volume.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Jeep Cherokee or Nissan Kicks?

Based on independent repair cost data, the Jeep Cherokee has an annual repair expense of $520, with an average of 0.2 repair visits per year and a 12% risk of major repairs. While specific figures for the Nissan Kicks are unavailable, industry estimates often suggest that subcompact SUVs like the Kicks typically incur lower maintenance costs and have less frequent repair needs than larger SUVs like the Cherokee. Given the Cherokee's significant major repair risk and higher repair costs, the Kicks is likely the better value for cost-conscious buyers seeking to minimize unexpected expenses over ownership.

How Does Jeep Cherokee vs Nissan Kicks Reliability Compare by Year?

Jeep Cherokee vs Nissan Kicks year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Jeep Cherokee	Nissan Kicks	Edge
2025	75/1003R / 64C	78/1003R / 24C	Nissan Kicks
2024	67/10020R / 232C	81/1001R / 20C	Nissan Kicks
2023	66/10022R / 396C	80/1001R / 23C	Nissan Kicks
2021	67/10018R / 554C	78/1002R / 66C	Nissan Kicks
2020	76/1005R / 436C	78/1000R / 85C	Nissan Kicks
2019	67/10017R / 1833C	73/1001R / 123C	Nissan Kicks
2018	68/10018R / 1468C	71/1001R / 78C	Nissan Kicks
2026(predicted)	69/100(predicted)	80/100(predicted)	Nissan Kicks

Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Jeep Cherokee scored 76/100 and the 2024 Nissan Kicks scored 81/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Jeep Cherokee vs the Nissan Kicks?

If you prioritize reliability and fewer maintenance headaches, the Nissan Kicks is a strong choice. With a reliability score of 78/100 and only 10 recalls, it offers a more dependable driving experience. The Kicks also has a lower rate of owner complaints at 8.3 per 10,000 sold, suggesting fewer unexpected issues. Although specific repair costs and frequency aren't available, the lower number of complaints and recalls indicates potentially lower maintenance concerns over time. On the other hand, if you lean towards a vehicle with a more robust performance history, despite some maintenance costs, consider the Jeep Cherokee. While it has a lower reliability score of 69/100 and a higher major repair risk at 12%, independent repair cost estimates suggest an annual repair cost of $520. This might appeal to those who value the Cherokee's features and are prepared for occasional repairs, accepting its higher recall count of 105 as part of its comprehensive support network.

Jeep Cherokee vs Nissan Kicks: Common Questions

Is the Jeep Cherokee 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 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Jeep Cherokee or the Nissan Kicks?: The Jeep Cherokee has more recalls (105) 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 Jeep Cherokee or the Nissan Kicks?: The Nissan Kicks has fewer owner complaints (439) versus 4984 for the Jeep Cherokee. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
Is the Jeep Cherokee or Nissan Kicks safer?: Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Jeep Cherokee 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.

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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.

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