MotorCaliberNHTSA Safety Index
NHTSA crash test of the 2025 Nissan Kicks

NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED

2025 Nissan Kicks

Federal crash-test performance, recalls, and complaints, scored into one NHTSA Safety Index.

4Recalls
31Complaints
0Investigations
ABOUT THE NISSAN KICKS

The Nissan Kicks is a subcompact crossover SUV that slots below the Rogue in Nissan's lineup, targeting budget-conscious urban drivers and first-time SUV buyers who want a fuel-efficient, maneuverable vehicle without a steep price tag. Sold in the United States since the 2018 model year, the Kicks competes in one of the most crowded segments in the market, where safety credentials increasingly matter to shoppers.

VERDICT

The 2025 Nissan Kicks earns an NHTSA Safety Index of 81 out of 100, an strong result driven by its federal crash-test stars and its recall record. It has 4 recalls on record, reflected in the score.

WHO IT IS FOR
  • new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
  • urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
WHAT REVIEWERS SAY

Reviewers generally regard the Nissan Kicks as a practical, easy-to-drive entry in the subcompact crossover segment, praising its upright seating position and urban usability. Most professional assessments note that the Kicks prioritizes everyday accessibility over outright performance, and they tend to view its safety technology offerings as competitive for the price point, though not always class-leading.

NCAP // CRASH TESTCrash-test breakdown

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk 17.9%

Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 20760

Index breakdown

Crash protection56/70
Avoidance tech10/10
Defect record14.75/20
Forward collision warning: StandardLane departure warning: StandardStability control: Standard

NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images

Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.

NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL26V331000

Risk: A partial or blank screen display will not show critical safety information such as vehicle speed and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the combination meter software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 1, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA66. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 22, 2026.

Reported 2026-05-21

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V324000

Risk: A rearview image that does not display can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the software on the vehicle’s center information display, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 10, 2025. The manufacturer numbers for this recall are PD152 and PMA48.

Reported 2025-06-04

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS25V188000

Risk: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash. Vehicles with incorrect wheel and tire information may lead to tires that are inflated improperly, which can also increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will install new labels, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will mail replacement labels to owners. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD136 and PMA47.

Reported 2025-04-18

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM24V969000

Risk: When the vehicle is not in "Park" and the ignition is shut off, the vehicle could move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a vehicle rollaway and crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reconfigure the body control module (BCM) to activate the "Shift-to-Park" warning, free of charge. Some owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2025. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated, May 7, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA42.

Reported 2024-12-23

NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints

31 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.

2reported crash
0reported fire
1reported injuries
0reported deaths
Most-reported systemsVisibility/Wiper 6Steering 5Electrical System 4Back Over Prevention 4Power Train 3Structure 3

Other Kicks years

Rivals in SUV (2025)

Last verified 2026-07-03. Sources: NHTSA SafetyRatings (VehicleId 20760), recallsByVehicle, complaintsByVehicle for Nissan Kicks 2025. Class rank 138 of 153 in SUV 2025. Methodology · Disclosure