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Nissan Kicks VIN Number Check

Decode a Nissan Kicks VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See its generation and the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.

VIN prefix3N13N8

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
Nissan Kicks

About the Nissan Kicks

Nissan has sold the Kicks in the US since the 2018 model year, and there have been two generations. The Gen 1 came first (2018–2024), and the Gen 2 took over for 2025–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 10 vehicle recall campaigns and 515 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the Gen 1. Its 2019 and 2020 model years alone account for 231 of them, with owners bringing up forward collision avoidance most often and the electrical system after that. EPA rates the Gen 1 at 33 mpg combined, while the Gen 2 gets 30–33 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2018–2026
GenerationsGen 1 · Gen 2
NHTSA recall campaigns10
Owner complaints515 at NHTSA
Nissan Kicks photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

Nissan Kicks generations

Two generations since the 2018 model year. The Gen 1 (2018–2024) has the most owner complaints, the Gen 2 (2025–2026) the most recall campaigns (6).

2 / 2
Gen 2
2025–20262nd generation
Nissan Kicks Gen 1 (2018–2024)Nissan Kicks Gen 2 (2025–2026)

Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

20182025
2025–2026· Generation 2 of 2

Gen 2 · 2nd generation

PlatformCMF-B HS
EPA combined mpg30–33
NHTSA recalls6

Engines (EPA)

  • 1.6 L 4-cyl · 2025
  • 2.0 L 4-cyl · 2025–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • AWD/4WD, FWD
  • CVT (2025–2026)

Known issues to check

Electrical system (8)Steering (7)Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) (6)

Mentions in 45 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Gen 23N8AP6CB?SL······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2025 Nissan Kicks MPV SV, built in Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes
Check a Kicks VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Kicks model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 10 campaigns on file for Kicks model years 2018–2026, and the 2025 shows up in more of them than any other year (4), ahead of the 2026 (3). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2025
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recall
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Transport Canada recalls for these model years were checked against this list; each one matches an NHTSA campaign shown here. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Nissan Kicks owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2019 and 2020 hold 231 of the 515 complaints, or 45%. Tap any bar or generation.

515NHTSA complaints, 2018–2026
26mention a crash
1mention a fire
12injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearGen 2: 45 complaints · most for the 2025 (38)

Top complaint areas · Gen 2

Mentions in 45 complaints, 2025–2026.

Electrical system8
Steering7
Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors)6
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)6
Wheels5
Structure and body4
Crashes 2Fires 1Injuries 1

2025–2026 (Gen 2)

NHTSA data summary

Fires come up in 1 complaints, or 2.2% against 0.2% for all Kicks model years, which is the highest rate of any generation. Its first model year, the 2025, drew more complaints than any other (38 of 45). By area, nothing stands out. Electrical system leads with 8, with the steering (7) and visibility (6) close behind.

What Kicks owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2018–2024 (1st generation)

Owner data is modest, and CarComplaints has only a few reports. The 2019 draws the most NHTSA complaints, with owners describing ABS, forward collision and slippery road warnings that come on without reason, often tied to a faulty mass airflow sensor, along with stalling or shuddering in wet weather. CarComplaints owners of the 2019 mention a throttle body replacement and weak A/C. Recalls cover rear camera settings on 2018–2019 models and power steering connections on some 2021 models that may cut assist. [1] [2] [3]

What to check before buying

  • Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the power steering recall on 2021 models.
  • Ask whether the mass airflow sensor or throttle body has been replaced.
  • On the drive, watch for ABS, collision or slippery road warnings, feel for hesitation or stalling, and check that the A/C blows cold.
Sources (3) and method
Sources:
  1. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2019 Nissan Kicks
  2. CarComplaints.com, 2019 Nissan Kicks problems
  3. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2021 Nissan Kicks

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner opinions · Reddit

What Nissan Kicks owners say on Reddit

Summarized from public threads

Nissan Kicks owners on Reddit mostly like it as cheap, efficient transport. Owners cite close to 35 mpg, a 2023 SR at 82,000 miles and 2019 to 2022 cars past 135,000 km or near 100,000 miles without transmission trouble, and newer AWD versions help in snow. The CVT is still the fear, with a 2020 judder code after a fluid change at 71,000 miles and a 2019 on its third transmission, so owners urge fluid changes every 30,000 miles. Slow acceleration and buggy CarPlay also bother owners.

Pros

  • Good fuel economy, often close to 35 mpg
  • Comfortable, easy to drive and full of safety features for the price
  • AWD and ground clearance on newer models help in snow
  • Many owners pass 100,000 miles with regular CVT service

Cons

  • CVT judder and failures on some 2018 to 2020 cars
  • Slow acceleration, especially with the AC on
  • Buggy infotainment, CarPlay and collision sensors
  • No spare tire on some newer trims and a small fuel tank

Opinions of individual owners, summarized in our own words. Not verified data; check recalls and complaints above.

Owner complaints · by model year

Kicks complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every Kicks version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

515complaints, 2018–2026
26mention a crash
1mention a fire
12injuries reported
Most complaints: 2019 (134), 2020 (97), 2018 (85)
85’18134’1997’20’25

2019 · 134 complaints

Crashes 5 · fires 0 · injuries 3

Forward collision avoidance43
Electrical system39
Engine35
Unknown or other31
Service brakes22

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Kicks CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 12 Kicks versions for model years 2018–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 268 g/mi (2025). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Gen 12018–2024

33 mpg · CO₂ 268–272 g/mi

Gen 22025–2026

30–33 mpg · CO₂ 268–299 g/mi

2025
33combined MPG
268CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$2,050EPA yearly fuel cost
6/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
6/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2025: Kicks Play · Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.6 L — 33 MPG · 268 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
200250300350400202020252018 · Gas: 2722019 · Gas: 2712020 · Gas: 2682021 · Gas: 2692022 · Gas: 2692023 · Gas: 2692024 · Gas: 2692025 · Gas: 2682026 · Gas: 287
Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Kicks vs Honda HR-V vs Hyundai Kona

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2025–2026. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the Kicks, against 1 for the Honda HR-V and 3 for the Hyundai Kona. Pick a range to compare.

Nissan KicksGen 2

Model years 2025–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
6
NHTSA owner complaints
45
EPA combined mpg
30–33
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.6, 2.0 L
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
4★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 8
  2. Steering 7
  3. Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) 6

Honda HR-V

Model years 2025–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
1
NHTSA owner complaints
60
EPA combined mpg
27–28
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0 L
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Steering 16
  2. Forward collision avoidance 12
  3. Electrical system 9

Hyundai Kona

Model years 2025–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
3
NHTSA owner complaints
38
EPA combined mpg
26–31
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.6, 2.0 L · Electric
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
4★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 11
  2. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 6
  3. Brakes 6

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Nissan Kicks VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Kicks

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Gray Nissan Kicks (first generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Locate the Kicks VIN on the plate at the lower driver's side windshield. Door jamb sticker and a B-pillar label between the front and rear passenger doors are the secondary locations. No frame stamp is present due to unibody construction. The Gen 2 generation starts with the 2025 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (S for 2025) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common Nissan Kicks VIN questions

Which Nissan Kicks model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2019 leads with 134, ahead of the 2020 (97) and 2018 (85). Those first two alone make up 45% of the 515 Kicks complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Nissan Kicks had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 10 vehicle campaigns for model years 2018–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, Gen 2 leads with 6. Then come the Gen 1 (4), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Nissan Kicks recalls are high risk?

24V-154 covers an air bag inflator module and how it deploys. It should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which Kicks generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the Gen 1 is 2018–2024 and the Gen 2 2025–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (S is 2025).

What fuel economy does the Nissan Kicks get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2025–2026 Gen 2 at 30–33 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 33 mpg for the 2018–2024 Gen 1 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Nissan Kicks compare with the Honda HR-V and Hyundai Kona on recalls?

For 2025–2026 models the Kicks has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Honda HR-V has 1, the Hyundai Kona 3. Complaints run 45, 60 and 38 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Nissan Kicks have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Kicks 4 stars overall. Both rated versions, FWD and AWD, get that score.

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