Kia Seltos vs Nissan Kicks: reliability compared
From 2021 to 2026, owners filed an average of 96 complaints per model year about the Kia Seltos and 36 about the Nissan Kicks.
Side by side
| Kia Seltos | Nissan Kicks | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years compared | 2021-2026 | 2021-2026 |
| Owner complaints | 573 | 213 |
| Complaints per model year | 96 | 36 |
| Recalls | 4 | 9 |
| Years to avoid | 2021 | None stand out |
| Best years | None stand out | 20212022 |
| Most common problem | Engine | Driver assistance |
| Crash rating | No data | No data |
| Fuel economy | 25-29 mpg combined (2026) | 30-31 mpg combined (2026) |
A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.
Complaints per model year
Problems compared
| Seltos | Kicks | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 361 | 22 |
| Electrical | 94 | 30 |
| Transmission | 88 | 27 |
| Fuel system | 33 | 7 |
| Driver assistance | 28 | 44 |
| Visibility | 16 | 31 |
| Body | 10 | 32 |
Questions about the Kia Seltos vs Nissan Kicks
Which is more reliable, the Kia Seltos or the Nissan Kicks?
Between 2021 and 2026, the Kia Seltos has 1 year to avoid and the Nissan Kicks 0. The Nissan Kicks has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Nissan Kicks drew fewer complaints per model year (36 vs 96), though sales volume affects that number.
Which has more recalls, the Kia Seltos or the Nissan Kicks?
From 2021 to 2026, the Kia Seltos was covered by 4 recalls and the Nissan Kicks by 9.
What years of the Kia Seltos and Nissan Kicks should you avoid?
Kia Seltos: 2021. Nissan Kicks: no year stands out.
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