Last updated: 2026-10-10
Nissan Kicks vs Volkswagen Taos: Reliability Compared
Nissan Kicks
Volkswagen Taos
Choosing between the Nissan Kicks and the Volkswagen Taos? 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 68/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Nissan Kicks is more reliable than the Volkswagen Taos, scoring 78/100 vs 68/100.
Key Differences
- 1Nissan Kicks scores 10 points higher in reliability
- 2Volkswagen Taos has 7.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Volkswagen Taos has 4 fewer total recalls
Category Scoreboard
Nissan Kicks vs Volkswagen Taos: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Nissan Kicks | Volkswagen Taos |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 78/100 | 68/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 5 |
| Total Recalls | 10 | 6 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 8.3 | 0.6 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 5 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Nissan Kicks and Volkswagen Taos?
| Component | Nissan Kicks | Volkswagen Taos |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.8Low | 0.1Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.2Low | 0.1Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.8Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.7Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.5Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.5Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.4Very Low | —None |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| WHEELS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Nissan Kicks vs Volkswagen Taos Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Nissan Kicks | Volkswagen Taos | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 83/1001R / 1C | 64/1000R / 0C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2025 | 78/1003R / 24C | 69/1000R / 3C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2024 | 81/1001R / 20C | 74/1000R / 41C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2023 | 80/1001R / 23C | 73/1000R / 87C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2022 | 82/1000R / 19C | 59/1006R / 277C | Nissan Kicks |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Nissan Kicks scored 82/100 and the 2024 Volkswagen Taos scored 74/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.
Nissan Kicks vs Volkswagen Taos: Common Questions
- Is the Nissan Kicks more reliable than the Volkswagen Taos?
- Based on our data, the Nissan Kicks is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 68/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Nissan Kicks or the Volkswagen Taos?
- The Nissan Kicks has more recalls (10) compared to the Volkswagen Taos (6). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Nissan Kicks or the Volkswagen Taos?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Volkswagen Taos has a lower complaint rate at 0.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 8.3 for the Nissan Kicks. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Nissan Kicks or Volkswagen Taos safer?
- Both the Nissan Kicks and Volkswagen Taos 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
More Nissan Kicks comparisons
Decided between Nissan Kicks and Volkswagen Taos? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Nissan Kicks and Volkswagen Taos
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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