Last updated: 2026-10-10

2022 Nissan Kicks
RELIABILITY SCORE: 82/100 (EXCELLENT)

2022 Nissan Kicks Reliability Report

The 2022 Nissan Kicks has excellent reliability and no recalls, but owners report loose crosswind steering and sudden stalls.

Recalls

0

Complaints

19

Complaint Rate

3.5per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

N/A

Annual Fuel Cost

$1,800

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity74/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs80/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact100/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity80/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Buy

Excellent reliability with no recalls, a clear step up from the 2021, though owners report loose steering in crosswinds and sudden stalls.

Top Issues to Watch

  • STEERING (5)
  • ENGINE (4)
  • FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Refresh

2022 is 1 year after the 2021 facelift refresh.

  • Year 5 in the First generation (P15) (2018–2025).
  • Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
  • 1st generation Kicks (US).

What this means for buyers

Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.

2018: First generation (P15) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2021: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2022: This Model Year

2022 is 1 year after the 2021 facelift refresh.

Should You Buy the 2022 Nissan Kicks?

This is one of the stronger Kicks years to buy. Reliability is excellent, well above average among 2022 SUVs, and federal recall records show no recalls. Owners filed 19 complaints. The 2021 rates worse, with 66 complaints and two recalls, while the 2023 rates about the same as this year.

Steering is the most common complaint. Owners describe the car going loose above 45 mph in light crosswinds, drifting out of its lane and inviting small corrections that overcorrect. Passing trucks cause the same effect. These reports start early, between 300 and 4,000 miles. One crash report says the wheel turned on its own at 65 mph. Four owners report stalls with no warning, sometimes with the battery and oil lights on, and dealers often cannot reproduce them. Two owners describe hard automatic braking with nothing ahead.

Test drive at highway speed, and ask for repair records covering steering, stalling, and the forward collision sensor. The 2023 is a close alternative.

Compared to the 2023 Nissan Kicks, which scored 2 points lower. See also the 2021 Nissan Kicks for an earlier comparison.

Pros

  • +Strong reliability score
  • +No recalls issued
  • +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
  • +Well-established generation
  • +Only 19 complaints reported

Cons

  • −STEERING: Wind pushes the car around at highway speeds (5 complaints)
  • −Crosswind steering instability reported at 300–4,000 miles

Compare 2022 Nissan Kicks With

Common Problem Categories

Other

HIGH RISK
  • STEERING (5)
  • ENGINE (4)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

0

recalls on record

No recalls are on record for the 2022 Nissan Kicks — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

3.5

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 13.5

LowAvgHigh
Low

Safety Incidents

2

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 4/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2022 Nissan Kicks? Check its history first

Steering problems lead owner complaints about the 2022 Nissan Kicks, and 0 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

2022 Nissan Kicks NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 4/5Passenger: 3/5

Rollover risk: 15.5%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (N/A)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (No)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (None)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Not Available)
View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Nissan KicksRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

Nissan Kicks Resale Value

The Nissan Kicks is estimated to retain about 89.8% of its original value after 1 year, based on observed used-car listings.

This benchmark covers the Nissan Kicks model overall and is not specific to the 2022 model year.

Value Retained
89.8%

after 1 year

Depreciation
10.2%

over the same period

Listings Analyzed
25

U.S. used-car listings

Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.

Explore Nissan Kicks depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.com

2022 Nissan Kicks Example Repair Prices

National average price ranges for common repairs. These are not model-year-specific failure predictions.

Common repair costs and price estimates
RepairEstimated Cost
Pre-Purchase Car Inspection$183 – $269
Electrical System Diagnosis$122 – $179
Air Bag Clockspring Replacement$395 – $458
Air Bag Control Module Replacement$751 – $871
Alternator Replacement$1,132 – $1,273
Ignition Switch Replacement$187 – $232
Mass Airflow Sensor Replacement$378 – $400
Door Mirror Replacement$491 – $525
Brake Pad Replacement$315 – $372
Transmission Fluid Change$149 – $177

Estimates based on national average repair costs. Actual costs may vary by location and shop.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

33 MPG

Fuel cost: $1,800/yr

Fuel only

31 city / 36 hwy MPG

Based on EPA fuel-cost estimates. Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2022 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims
TrimDriveTrans.CityHwyCombFuel Cost
Kicks 1.6L 4-cylFront-Wheel DriveAutomatic (variable gear ratios)313633$1,800

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2022 Nissan Kicks.

  • Drive on a highway above 45 mph, ideally in wind, and note whether the car wanders or needs constant correction.

  • Have a lift inspection check the front control arms for looseness, especially if records show transmission work.

  • Check that the car tracks straight without pulling right on a flat road.

  • Let the engine idle at stops during a long test drive and watch for shudders, stalls, or battery and oil warning lights.

  • Ask for service records showing stalling or power-loss visits that the dealer could not duplicate.

  • Look at the plastic cover over the forward collision sensor and confirm it is fully attached and not bent.

  • Drive at 20 to 40 mph on a clear road and watch for false automatic braking or a flashing brake warning light.

2022 Nissan Kicks Common Problems by Component

19 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

5
4
2
3
STEERING (5)ENGINE (4)FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2)STRUCTURE (1)SEATS (1)POWER TRAIN (1)LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES (1)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)Other (3)

STEERING

5 complaintsSafety-related

Wind pushes the car around at highway speeds. Complaints describe the steering going loose above 45 mph in light crosswinds of 10 mph or less. The car drifts out of its lane, and small corrections lead to overcorrecting. Passing trucks cause the same problem. Most of these reports come from nearly new cars, and some owners traded theirs in. One crash report says the steering wheel turned on its own at 65 mph. The driver lost control and hit a barrier, and an occupant was injured. Another report describes the car pulling right after transmission work, and loose control arms were later found.

5 complaints total1 crash1 injury

ENGINE

4 complaints

Stalls happen without warning, both at a red light and while driving at about 35 mph. Sometimes the battery and oil lights come on. After a restart the car usually runs normally, but in some cases the stall keeps coming back. Dealers often cannot reproduce the problem, so these cars leave the shop unrepaired. Other reports describe the car slowing down while the accelerator is pressed and a complete engine failure on the freeway before 70k miles. Losing power in traffic leaves drivers stranded and at risk of being hit from behind.

4 complaints total

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

2 complaints

The car brakes hard on its own with nothing in the road. One report describes an abrupt stop at 40 mph with the brake warning light flashing. Another describes the car swerving, slowing, and stopping in the middle of the road until the driver corrected it. In that case the plastic cover over the forward collision sensor was found attached on only one side and bent out of line. One dealer acknowledged knowing about the problem but could not find a cause, and no repairs are reported. Unexpected stops like these raise the risk of a rear-end crash.

2 complaints total
STRUCTURE (1 complaints)

STRUCTURE

1 complaint
2024-05-27

The hood flew open unexpectedly while driving on the highway causing significant damage. No lights or indicators appeared on dashboard. Car has 9,000 miles and Nissan is currently doing an investigation with inspection on car June 20, 2024.

SEATS (1 complaints)

SEATS

1 complaint
2025-05-14

I AM INTRIGUED ABOUT THE TUBES UNDER THE SEATS. WHY AREN'T THEY UNDER THE CAR NOT UNDER THE SEATS

POWER TRAIN (1 complaints)

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint
2025-08-15

I was driving, slowed down to stop at a red light. As I proceeded to stop the car made a noise like something was in front of me as I was driving too close. I made a grinding noise and would not go forward as I proceeded to go. I was in the street, had to put on emergency flasher so no one would hit me from the rear. Once traffic cleared I was able drive the car in reverse to a safe location. I called AAA road side assistance had the vehicle tolled back to my daughter house, called the dealership to retrieve warranty document so I can take it to a Nissan dealership to have it inspected. There were no warning signs, lamps, or message from the screen to show there was a problem. No warning signs prior to the vehicle malfunctioning.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES (1 complaints)

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

1 complaint
2025-06-19

The contact's daughter owns a 2022 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving approximately 70 MPH, the hood inadvertently flew open, shattering the windshield. The vehicle was steered over to the side of the road and a rope was used to securely close the hood. The vehicle was then taken to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that unknown parts needed to be replaced. The contact was informed to contact the Insurance Company for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact believed that the failure was associated with an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint
2024-10-16

I bought the car used and had no issues within the first three months. I have only had the car for four months now. The automatic emergency braking warning light started to randomly flash while driving and would come on and off. I took the car into the dealership and they told me I had codes appearing that led them to look at my battery first. They said my battery was bad and replaced that. I’ve had the car for about a week now and now when I drive it the car randomly activates the AEB so when I’m driving it will just apply the breaks with no warning and when there is no reason to. This causes me to become startled and jolt while driving and when I’m going at higher speeds it is extremely dangerous to the drivers around me who don’t understand what’s going on. I have no warning when it’s going to happen and it could lead to an accident. I have read countless other stories online of people with Nissan Kicks who are experiencing the same issue.

SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints)

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint
2023-11-01

While inflating the tires up to the recommended pressure, due to the low temperatures overnight, I noticed that the right front rotor had multiple cracks running on the bridges between the holes on the brake rotors. There where no indications other than the Low Tire Pressure warning indicator. I have a picture of this on the Vehicle. Knowing this could lead to a brake failure and or crash!

BACK OVER PREVENTION (1 complaints)

BACK OVER PREVENTION

1 complaint
2022-04-17

The contact owns a 2022 Nisan Kicks. The contact stated that the parking assist would alarm the driver that they were coming close to something or someone. When the power assist was activated, the vehicle would suddenly stop as if the vehicle was about to crash into an object or a person. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal grinding noise coming from underneath the driver’s and passenger’s side front-end. The contact also stated that while in reverse or on an incline, the vehicle was making a popping sound underneath the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired and the failure persisted. The manufacturer had been made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.

When Do 2022 Nissan Kicks Problems Start?

Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.

300–4,000 milesCrosswind steering instability

Best & Worst Nissan Kicks Years

Best Nissan Kicks Years to Buy

Top Pick
82
Excellent

2022

(Current Model)

0Recalls
19Complaints
81
Excellent

2024

1Recalls
20Complaints
80
Excellent

2023

1Recalls
23Complaints

Nissan Kicks Years to Avoid

Nissan Kicks Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Nissan Kicks reliability scores by year
YearScoreRating
201871/100Good
201973/100Good
202078/100Good
202178/100Good
202282/100Excellent
202380/100Excellent
202481/100Excellent
202578/100Good
202683/100Excellent

Nissan Kicks Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
YearScorevs Prior YearRatingRecallsComplaints
202683/100+5Excellent11
202578/100-3Good324
202481/100+1Excellent120
202380/100-2Excellent123
2022(selected)82/100+4Excellent019
202178/1000Good266
202078/100+5Good085
201973/100+2Good1123
201871/100—Good178

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2022 Nissan Kicks reliable?
Yes. Reliability is excellent and well above average among 2022 SUVs. It also sits among the stronger of the nine scored Kicks years. Owners filed 19 complaints, about 3.5 per 10,000 sold, and federal recall records list none. The main concerns are crosswind steering, stalling, and unexpected automatic braking.
What are the most common problems with the 2022 Nissan Kicks?
Steering leads with 5 complaints, followed by engine stalling with 4 and forward collision avoidance with 2. Owners say the steering feels loose in light crosswinds, the engine can quit without warning, and the car can brake hard with nothing in the road.
Does the 2022 Nissan Kicks have steering problems?
Some do. Owners describe the steering going loose above 45 mph in crosswinds of 10 mph or less, with the car drifting and drivers overcorrecting. Reports begin between 300 and 4,000 miles. One crash report says the wheel turned on its own at 65 mph, and an occupant was injured.
Has the 2022 Nissan Kicks been recalled?
No. Federal recall records show zero recalls for this model year. That compares well with the 2021 Kicks, which has two recalls, and the 2023, which has one. Still, owners report problems that no recall covers, so ask for repair records on any car you consider.
Is the 2022 Nissan Kicks better than the 2021 or 2023?
It beats the 2021 and roughly matches the 2023. The 2021 rates worse, with 66 complaints and two recalls. The 2023 also has excellent reliability, with 23 complaints and one recall. The 2022 has 19 complaints and no recalls, so it is a solid pick next to the 2023.

Don’t buy a 2022 Nissan Kicks without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2022 Nissan Kicks

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2022 Nissan Kicks does best on recall impact (100/100) and worst on complaint severity (74/100). 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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