Last updated: 2026-03-28
Jeep Compass vs Nissan Kicks: Reliability Compared
Jeep Compass
Nissan Kicks
Choosing between the Jeep Compass 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 75/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Jeep Compass and Nissan Kicks Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Nissan Kicks is more reliable than the Jeep Compass, scoring 78/100 vs 75/100.
The Nissan Kicks demonstrates a slightly higher reliability with a score of 78 out of 100 compared to the Jeep Compass's 75. The Kicks also has a lower rate of owner complaints, with 8.3 per 10,000 units sold versus the Compass's 11.8, and fewer recalls over the years. While both vehicles share common issues in their electrical systems and power trains, the Compass incurs additional annual repair costs estimated at $526. Given these factors, the Nissan Kicks stands out as the more reliable choice in the compact SUV segment.
Key Differences
- 1Nissan Kicks has 5 fewer total recalls
- 2Nissan Kicks has 3.5 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Nissan Kicks scores 3 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Jeep Compass vs Nissan Kicks: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Jeep Compass | Nissan Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 75/100 | 78/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 15 | 10 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 11.8 | 8.3 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2025 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 3 | 5 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Jeep Compass and Nissan Kicks?
The Nissan Kicks exhibits a moderate number of complaints primarily in the electrical system, with 96 reports including 3 crash-linked incidents, as well as issues in the power train and service brakes, both with crash-linked events. In contrast, the Jeep Compass has a significantly higher total of complaints, particularly in the electrical system with 593 reports and 7 crash-linked cases, indicating a more pronounced reliability concern in this area. The Compass also faces notable engine and power train problems, with a combined total of 501 complaints, including several crash-linked incidents, highlighting potential safety risks. Additionally, the Compass has a higher incidence of airbag-related issues, with 18 crash-linked complaints, a problem area not significantly present in the Kicks.
| Component | Jeep Compass | Nissan Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4.1Average | 1.8Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.6Low | 0.8Very Low |
| ENGINE | 1.9Low | 0.5Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.2Low | 1.2Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.3Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.5Very Low | 0.3Very 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 | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —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: Jeep Compass or Nissan Kicks?
How Does Jeep Compass vs Nissan Kicks Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Jeep Compass | Nissan Kicks | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 83/1000R / 13C | 78/1003R / 24C | Jeep Compass |
| 2024 | 84/1000R / 34C | 81/1001R / 20C | Jeep Compass |
| 2023 | 78/1002R / 43C | 80/1001R / 23C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2022 | 70/1004R / 204C | 82/1000R / 19C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2021 | 80/1000R / 70C | 78/1002R / 66C | Jeep Compass |
| 2020 | 76/1001R / 129C | 78/1000R / 85C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2019 | 70/1002R / 305C | 73/1001R / 123C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2018 | 61/1006R / 912C | 71/1001R / 78C | Nissan Kicks |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Jeep Compass scored 84/100 and the 2022 Nissan Kicks scored 82/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Jeep Compass vs the Nissan Kicks?
Jeep Compass vs Nissan Kicks: Common Questions
- Is the Jeep Compass 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 75/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Jeep Compass or the Nissan Kicks?
- The Jeep Compass has more recalls (15) 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 Compass or the Nissan Kicks?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Kicks has a lower complaint rate at 8.3 per 10,000 sold versus 11.8 for the Jeep Compass. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Jeep Compass or Nissan Kicks safer?
- Both the Jeep Compass and Nissan Kicks received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 4/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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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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