Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2025 Nissan KicksRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 42 owner complaints for the 2025 Nissan Kicks. Most complaints involve visibility/wiper (7) and electrical system (6). The EPA rates it 30–31 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
30–31mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
42
Top: visibility/wiper
Fuel cost / yr
$2,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: instrument cluster

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Kicks vehicles. A software error in the combination meter may cause the screen display to go partially or fully blank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."

Electrical systemReported May 21, 2026NHTSA 26V331000

Back over prevention: software

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Frontier and Kicks vehicles. The center information display unit may display a blank screen when shifted into reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Back over preventionReported Jun 4, 2025NHTSA 25V324000

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Kicks vehicles. The certification label may have been printed with the incorrect Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) values, which can result in the vehicle being overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification." Additionally, certain 2025 Nissan Kicks SR trim level vehicles equipped with an optional 19-inch wheel package may have a certification label that states an incorrect wheel size. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

EquipmentReported Apr 18, 2025NHTSA 25V188000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

42 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2024 – Oct 2026
  1. Visibility/wiper7
  2. Electrical system6
  3. Power train5
  4. Steering5
  5. Structure4
  6. Back over prevention4
  7. Wheels3
  8. Fuel/propulsion system2
  9. Exterior lighting2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Kicks model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201886
2019134
202098
202178
202224
202334
202439
202542
202610
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Visibility/wiper

7 reports
“On the morning of October 19 at approximately 6:16 AM, I was driving the vehicle to my sister's home roughly 15 miles away. About 5 miles into the journey, without any other vehicles around or any external impact, I heard a loud boom. Upon pulling over to inspect the car, I discovered that the rear windshield had spontaneously shattered and exploded, held in place entirely by the window tint. Based on the environmental conditions and vehicle operation at the time, I believe this failure was caused by thermal stress. The outside temperature was 52 degrees, and I had the rear defroster activated; the cold glass combined with the heat from the defroster caused severe thermal shock, leading the glass to stress and shatter. Spontaneous breakage due to thermal stress or manufacturing defects in tempered glass is a known issue and should be covered under the vehicle's warranty. I contacted my dealership to report this dangerous manufacturer defect. I was informed that the manager would be notified and would follow up with me promptly. Unfortunately, that callback never occurred. Because the dealership failed to respond, I had to arrange for the glass replacement…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2026Visibility/wiperODI 11772695

Electrical system

6 reports1 crash
“Was driving at low speed after entering a parking lot and the engine quit. When I attempted to restart the starter would not engage. The power widows still functioned. A subsequent check of the battery indicated it is fully charged. Had this occurred at Highway speed it could have been dangerous situation since the power brakes and power steering were not functional.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2026Power train, Electrical systemODI 11767902

Power train

5 reports
“Driving on a highway when rear differential and drive shaft broke loose from vehicle while driving at 65 mph. Right rear wheel went over real diff. causing the rear end of vehicle to come off the pavement. Fortunately was able to get car under control before it flipped. There was no warning signs prior. We were violently lurched and still are feeling residual effects from that incident.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2026Power trainODI 11761598
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Kicks
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283531$2,050287
Kicks AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
273430$2,150299
  • Kicks
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    28 city · 35 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Kicks AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    27 city · 34 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Nissan Kicks SUV AWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Nissan Kicks SUV FWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 20760Vehicle 20759
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2025 Kicks questions

How many recalls does the 2025 Nissan Kicks have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2025 Nissan Kicks problems?

Owners filed 42 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are visibility/wiper (7), electrical system (6), power train (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2025 Nissan Kicks get?

The EPA rates the 2025 Nissan Kicks at 30–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2025 Nissan Kicks?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2025 Nissan Kicks 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026