Last updated: 2026-10-10
Lexus UX vs Nissan Kicks: Reliability Compared
Lexus UX
Nissan Kicks
Reliability favors the Lexus UX over the Nissan Kicks, though only by a slight margin. UX owners file far fewer complaints, and federal recall records show fewer recalls. The Kicks still rates good, but owners report stalling, sudden power loss and shattering rear glass that the UX does not.
How Do the Lexus UX and Nissan Kicks Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Lexus UX is more reliable than the Nissan Kicks, scoring 80/100 vs 78/100.
Slight edge to the Lexus UX. Its reliability standing is excellent, while the Kicks rates good. The gap shows in owner complaints, at 1.2 per 10,000 sold for the UX against 8.3 for the Kicks. Federal recall records add to it: 2 recalls across eight UX model years, 10 across nine Kicks years. The Kicks still rates well, so the lead is narrow. The deciding factor is how rarely UX owners report anything at all.
Key Differences
- 1Lexus UX has 8 fewer total recalls
- 2Lexus UX has 7.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Lexus UX scores 2 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Lexus UX vs Nissan Kicks: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Lexus UX | Nissan Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 80/100 | 78/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 2 | 10 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 1.2 | 8.3 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 4 (1 tied) | 3 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Lexus UX and Nissan Kicks?
Sudden power loss, stalling and shattering glass set the Kicks apart. Power drops while driving with a "System Malfunction" message, engines stall at red lights and at about 35 mph, and rear hatch glass breaks on parked cars. Rear automatic braking can also stop the car for no reason while backing up. A failed rear body vent seal let water and mold into one cabin. Electrical (3), brakes (3) and power train (2) all carry crash-linked complaints. The data lists no problem areas or crash-linked complaints for the UX, which has only 11 complaints in total.
| Component | Lexus UX | Nissan Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | —None | 1.8Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | —None | 1.2Low |
| POWER TRAIN | —None | 0.8Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | —None | 0.7Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| ENGINE | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| STEERING | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| 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 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —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 Lexus UX vs Nissan Kicks Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Lexus UX | Nissan Kicks | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 84/1000R / 0C | 83/1001R / 1C | Lexus UX |
| 2025 | 77/1001R / 2C | 78/1003R / 24C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2024 | 80/1000R / 1C | 81/1001R / 20C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2023 | 80/1000R / 1C | 80/1001R / 23C | Tie |
| 2022 | 80/1000R / 2C | 82/1000R / 19C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2021 | 80/1000R / 2C | 78/1002R / 66C | Lexus UX |
| 2020 | 84/1000R / 0C | 78/1000R / 85C | Lexus UX |
| 2019 | 77/1001R / 3C | 73/1001R / 123C | Lexus UX |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Lexus UX scored 84/100 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 Lexus UX vs the Nissan Kicks?
Lexus UX vs Nissan Kicks: Common Questions
- Is the Lexus UX more reliable than the Nissan Kicks?
- Yes, by a slight margin. The UX has an excellent standing and the Kicks a good one. Owners filed 11 complaints on the UX, or 1.2 per 10,000 sold, against 439 on the Kicks, or 8.3 per 10,000 sold. The Kicks is still a decent used choice.
- Which has more recalls, the Lexus UX or the Nissan Kicks?
- The Kicks has far more. Federal recall records show 10 recalls across nine Kicks model years. The UX has 2 across eight model years. Check any specific car's VIN for open recalls before buying either one.
- What are the most common Nissan Kicks problems?
- Electrical complaints lead with 96, followed by power train with 44 and service brakes with 35. Typical reports include rear hatch glass shattering, sudden power loss with a malfunction message, and rear automatic braking stopping the car for no reason.
- Which Nissan Kicks model years should I avoid?
- Avoid 2018 and 2019, which are the weakest years. The strongest are 2026 and 2022. Because 2026 is so recent, it has had little time to collect complaints, so 2022 is the safer reference point for a used buyer.
- Which Lexus UX model year is best?
- The year 2020 is one of the strongest and has had time to build a record. The 2026 model year also rates well, but it is recent and has had less time for complaints to appear. The weakest years are 2019 and 2025.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Lexus UX comparisons
Decided between Lexus UX and Nissan Kicks? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Lexus UX 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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