Last updated: 2026-03-28
Mazda CX-30 vs Nissan Kicks: Reliability Compared
Mazda CX-30
Nissan Kicks
Choosing between the Mazda CX-30 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 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Mazda CX-30 and Nissan Kicks Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Nissan Kicks is more reliable than the Mazda CX-30, scoring 78/100 vs 66/100.
The Nissan Kicks offers a slightly better reliability score of 78 out of 100 compared to the Mazda CX-30's 66. While both vehicles have experienced the same number of recalls, the Kicks has a higher owner complaint rate of 8.3 per 10,000 units sold, compared to the CX-30's 5.7. Common issues for the Kicks include the electrical system and power train, whereas the CX-30 frequently encounters engine and airbag problems. Although both compact SUVs have their challenges, the Kicks's higher reliability score and the CX-30's lower complaint rate suggest a nuanced decision based on specific reliability priorities.
Key Differences
- 1Nissan Kicks scores 12 points higher in reliability
- 2Mazda CX-30 has 2.6 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Mazda CX-30 has a 1-star higher safety rating
Category Scoreboard
Mazda CX-30 vs Nissan Kicks: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Mazda CX-30 | Nissan Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 66/100 | 78/100 |
| Years Tracked | 7 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 10 | 10 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 5.7 | 8.3 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 0 | 6 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Mazda CX-30 and Nissan Kicks?
The Nissan Kicks shows a higher volume of complaints with significant issues in the electrical system, accounting for 96 complaints, including three crash-linked incidents. It also faces notable problems with the power train and service brakes, each linked to multiple crashes. In contrast, the Mazda CX-30 has fewer total complaints, with the engine being the most reported issue, though without crash links. The CX-30's service brakes and air bags are more concerning due to their higher proportion of crash-linked complaints, highlighting potential safety vulnerabilities not as prevalent in the Kicks.
| Component | Mazda CX-30 | Nissan Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.8Very Low | 1.8Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.7Very Low | 1.2Low |
| ENGINE | 1.2Low | 0.5Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.4Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.3Very Low | 0.8Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.2Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| WHEELS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SEATS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —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 Mazda CX-30 vs Nissan Kicks Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Mazda CX-30 | Nissan Kicks | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 68/1001R / 22C | 78/1003R / 24C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2024 | 68/1002R / 23C | 81/1001R / 20C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2023 | 68/1001R / 20C | 80/1001R / 23C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2022 | 67/1001R / 28C | 82/1000R / 19C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2021 | 60/1002R / 94C | 78/1002R / 66C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2020 | 64/1003R / 31C | 78/1000R / 85C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2026(predicted) | 68/100(predicted) | 80/100(predicted) | Nissan Kicks |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Mazda CX-30 scored 68/100 and the 2022 Nissan Kicks scored 82/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Mazda CX-30 vs the Nissan Kicks?
Mazda CX-30 vs Nissan Kicks: Common Questions
- Is the Mazda CX-30 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 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Mazda CX-30 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 Mazda CX-30 or the Nissan Kicks?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Mazda CX-30 has a lower complaint rate at 5.7 per 10,000 sold versus 8.3 for the Nissan Kicks. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Mazda CX-30 or Nissan Kicks safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Mazda CX-30 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
More Mazda CX-30 comparisons
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