Last updated: 2026-03-28
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 69/100. 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 69/100.
Key Differences
- 1Nissan Kicks scores 9 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 | 69/100 |
| 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 | 4 | 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 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| WHEELS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2026(predicted) | 80/100(predicted) | 72/100(predicted) | Nissan Kicks |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Nissan Kicks scored 82/100 and the 2024 Volkswagen Taos scored 74/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
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 69/100. 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 sold versus 8.3 for the Nissan Kicks. This per-sales normalization 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
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.
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