2018 Nissan Kicks problems
The 2018 Nissan Kicks has 83 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2018 Nissan Kicks has 83 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 18 complaints, typically surfacing around 11,705 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Kicks (this page) | 83 | 0 |
| 2019 Kicks | 134 | 0 |
| 2020 Kicks | 92 | 0 |
| 2021 Kicks | 72 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2018 Nissan Kicks? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- electrical — 18 owner reports · tends to show around 11,705 mi · ~$850 to fix
- brakes — 11 owner reports · tends to show around 8,975 mi · ~$450 to fix
- powertrain — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 42,584 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- engine — 5 owner reports · tends to show around 100,574 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2018 Nissan Kicks
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Getting code p0101. When car first starts the throttle response is very low. Once the car warms up to seems to go away but it appears to be a consistent problem. Others are reporting as well for this vehicle.
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated while trying to place the vehicle into reverse(R) the gear shifter failed to move. The contact turned off the vehicle and on several occasions the contact had to wait for over 20 minutes before the shift lever would move…
Randomly when driving I will have a malfunction see owner manual warning pop up it. Once I clear that to see the error I am getting the traction control and the indicator that looks like two cars colliding. While this is one the car does not have the power that it did before. If…
Purchased my 2018 Nissan kicks new in february of 2019. Have had many issues starting within 3 months of purchase. My first issue was while waiting at a light the vehicle cut off and took 3 attempts to restart. Next issue was while driving the key light glowed as if the key…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2018 Nissan Kicks reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 83 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Nissan Kicks is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2018 Nissan Kicks?
On the NHTSA data, the 2018 Nissan Kicks does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2018 Nissan Kicks?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 18 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 11,705 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2018 Nissan Kicks a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 83 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 11,705 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2018 Nissan Kicks?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 18 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 11,705 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 11,705 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Nissan Kicks has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2018 Nissan Kicks?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 83 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.