Last updated: 2026-07-17
KIA Soul vs Nissan Kicks: Reliability Compared
KIA Soul
Nissan Kicks
Choosing between the KIA Soul 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 77/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the KIA Soul and Nissan Kicks Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Nissan Kicks is more reliable than the KIA Soul, scoring 78/100 vs 77/100.
The Nissan Kicks and Kia Soul both show comparable reliability, with the Kicks scoring slightly higher at 78/100 versus the Soul's 77/100. Both vehicles have experienced 10 recalls over their respective lifespans, but the Kia Soul has a lower owner complaint rate of 6.4 per 10,000 sold compared to the Kicks' 8.3. A significant differentiator is the estimated annual repair cost, with the Kia Soul at $437, offering a clearer picture of potential long-term expenses. Overall, the Kia Soul edges out with fewer complaints and a transparent repair cost estimate, despite the slightly lower reliability score.
Key Differences
- 1KIA Soul has 1.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 2Nissan Kicks scores 1 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
KIA Soul vs Nissan Kicks: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | KIA Soul | Nissan Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 77/100 | 78/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 10 | 10 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 6.4 | 8.3 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2025 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 4 | 4 |
What Are the Common Problems With the KIA Soul and Nissan Kicks?
The Nissan Kicks and KIA Soul exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the KIA Soul experiencing a higher volume of total complaints, particularly in the engine category with 410 complaints, including 2 crash-linked issues. In contrast, the Nissan Kicks has fewer overall complaints, with the electrical system being its most problematic area, comprising 96 complaints and 3 crash-linked incidents. Notably, the KIA Soul's air bag issues are significant, contributing to 34 complaints, 24 of which are crash-linked, highlighting a critical safety concern absent in the Kicks. Both models show vulnerabilities in the power train, but the Soul's higher complaint count, including 4 crash-linked cases, suggests more frequent and severe reliability challenges in this area compared to the Kicks.
| Component | KIA Soul | Nissan Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 2.6Low | 0.5Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.5Very Low | 1.8Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.7Very Low | 1.2Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1Very Low | 0.8Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.1Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.5Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| WHEELS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: KIA Soul or Nissan Kicks?
How Does KIA Soul vs Nissan Kicks Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | KIA Soul | Nissan Kicks | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 85/1000R / 9C | 78/1003R / 24C | KIA Soul |
| 2024 | 86/1000R / 23C | 81/1001R / 20C | KIA Soul |
| 2023 | 77/1004R / 45C | 80/1001R / 23C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2022 | 78/1001R / 78C | 82/1000R / 19C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2021 | 72/1002R / 190C | 78/1002R / 66C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2020 | 70/1001R / 338C | 78/1000R / 85C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2019 | 76/1001R / 123C | 73/1001R / 123C | KIA Soul |
| 2018 | 73/1001R / 199C | 71/1001R / 78C | KIA Soul |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 KIA Soul scored 86/100 and the 2022 Nissan Kicks scored 82/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the KIA Soul vs the Nissan Kicks?
KIA Soul vs Nissan Kicks: Common Questions
- Is the KIA Soul 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 77/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the KIA Soul or the Nissan Kicks?
- Both have 10 recalls across their tracked years. Review individual year pages for details on what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the KIA Soul or the Nissan Kicks?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the KIA Soul has a lower complaint rate at 6.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 8.3 for the Nissan Kicks. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the KIA Soul or Nissan Kicks safer?
- Both the KIA Soul 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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Decided between KIA Soul 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