Last updated: 2026-10-10

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
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
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)
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

2022 Kia Soul
Reliability: 78/100

2022 Buick Encore
Reliability: 80/100

2022 Buick Encore GX
Reliability: 74/100

2022 Audi Q3
Reliability: 70/100

2022 BMW X1
Reliability: 72/100
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 soldSegment avg: 13.5
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.
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.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2022 Nissan Kicks NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 15.5%
Safety Technologies
Nissan KicksRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5Based 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%
- Depreciation
- 10.2%
- Listings Analyzed
- 25
after 1 year
over the same period
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.com2022 Nissan Kicks Example Repair Prices
National average price ranges for common repairs. These are not model-year-specific failure predictions.
| Repair | Estimated 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
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kicks 1.6L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 31 | 36 | 33 | $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.
STEERING
5 complaintsSafety-relatedWind 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.
ENGINE
4 complaintsStalls 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.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
2 complaintsThe 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.
STRUCTURE (1 complaints)
STRUCTURE
1 complaintThe 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 complaintI 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 complaintI 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 complaintThe 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 complaintI 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 complaintWhile 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 complaintThe 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.
Best & Worst Nissan Kicks Years
Best Nissan Kicks Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2022
(Current Model)
2024
2023
Nissan Kicks Years to Avoid
Nissan Kicks Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 82/100 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 80/100 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 81/100 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 83/100 | Excellent |
Nissan Kicks Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2022 Nissan Kicks reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2022 Nissan Kicks?
Does the 2022 Nissan Kicks have steering problems?
Has the 2022 Nissan Kicks been recalled?
Is the 2022 Nissan Kicks better than the 2021 or 2023?
Don’t buy a 2022 Nissan Kicks without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
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.
Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Nissan Kicks.
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