Overview & Reviews

Nissan was born in Japan, and like other marques from its homeland, the brand is known for crafting vehicles that place an emphasis on quality and reliability. The company's roster of products is broad, and includes sporty coupes, family sedans, minivans, trucks and SUVs.

The automaker got its start in 1933 as the Jidosha Seico Co., Ltd. The following year, this outfit merged with another Japanese manufacturer, and the new company was christened Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. Nissan initially marketed its vehicles under the Datsun brand, with the first Datsuns being built in 1934. Postwar, the brand made its presence felt worldwide, building a partnership with the U.K.-based Austin Motor Co. and establishing a presence in the United States. The first Datsuns hit American shores in 1958. Vehicles like the Datsun 1000 were based on Austin platforms.

The '60s witnessed Nissan's merger with Prince Motor Company, a union that helped the Asian manufacturer create more luxury-focused vehicles. In the U.S. it began offering its first vehicle styled for the U.S. market, the Datsun 510 sedan. By the end of the decade, Datsun had exported more than 1 million vehicles. Datsun rose to prominence in the 1970s on the popularity of its 240Z sports car. Powered by an inline six-cylinder engine, the car was coveted for its blend of style, performance and affordability. By the time the '70s drew to a close, the automaker's cumulative vehicle exports had surpassed the 10 million mark.

In 1981, Nissan shelved the Datsun name and began selling vehicles worldwide under the Nissan moniker. The '80s also saw Nissan's launch of a tuning division called Nismo for the development of performance-oriented vehicles and accessories. Nissan also brought its production to American shores, with the construction of a Georgia-based plant.

The early '90s saw Nissan's fortunes rise in the U.S. thanks to fun-to-drive cars like the 300ZX, Maxima and Sentra. But this trend didn't last long and by the late '90s Nissan's offerings consisted of anonymous vehicles. The company's future was uncertain.

After the turn of the new century Nissan bounced back, helped by a 1999 alliance with Renault that boosted the company's finances. Its redesigned Sentra and Altima boosted sales and consumer interest, as did new models like the 350Z sports car, Armada SUV and Titan pickup. Today the manufacturer is known for offering a wide range of well-regarded vehicles, including the popular Murano SUV, the incredible GT-R supercar and the all-electric Leaf.

User Reviews:

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  Nissan Sentra is a disposable car - 2014 Nissan Sentra
  By Neveragain - November 7 - 8:08 pm

  We meticulously maintained our 2014 Nissan Sentra including changing the transmission fluid at 30k with genuine Nissan CVT fluid. Despite our best efforts the transmission failed out of warranty at 66k. The cost to replace the transmission was $5k. We donated it.

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  Death trap of a car and ownership nightmare - 2015 Nissan Versa
  By Patrick Gallagher - July 10 - 6:07 pm

  bought This car from Enterprise car sales, with about 30,000 miles on it. About 10,000 miles after I purchased the car, the transmission totally failed and needed to be replaced. This was covered under the manufactures warranty, so at least there’s that which makes almost getting stranded in the Mohave Desert somewhat less terrible. About 10,000 miles after that the left rear turn signal went out several times, each of which required a separate repair. About 10,000 miles after that, while driving at pretty much any speed more notably on the freeway, I would lose all ability to accelerate. After taking it to the dealership several times, they figured out that the onboard computer for some reason thought I had my foot on the brakes at random times and was cutting the acceleration, in advertently putting myself and other drivers at risk. About 12,000 miles later, the radiator fan failed, and due to lack of any indication from the car that there was any problem, the car overheated. Got the radiator fan fixed, but now almost immediately after that I am noticing weird jumpiness in the RPMs. Also if I roll both windows up at the same time while idling, The RPMs stutter...?! And different car is idling and I hit the AC button, the whole car jerks and the RPMs drop very low. This car behaves so strangely and poorly, I am nervous and feel unsafe anytime I am driving it. It feels at and if car is idling and I hit the AC button, the whole car jerks and the RPMs drop very low. This car behaves so strangely and poorly, I am nervous and feel unsafe anytime I am driving it. It feels at any the car will break down for the last time. I have owned this POS for only about a year and a half, and have taken pretty good care of it. But it seems determined to die. I will never ever buy another Nissan again. I hope that these words prevent another from making the same mistake I did.

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  BUYER BEWARE - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By Sylvia Myers - December 25 - 3:43 pm

  This van has been a sorry purchase from the start. 7 months after we got it, I called the nav number and they told me I needed to buy a new $280 disc as any addresses newer than 5 years in Houston could not be located, next the tires have gone bald after only 32K miles, Nissan canceled this feature and now we are to pay for all new tires and sensored rims as Michelin or Nissan will come thru. It is cheaply made and has all the packages on it, even tho we cant get some to work. Head rests are uncomfortable, also leg room on front passenger side. For the price its an utter failure and cant believe Nissan wont stand by owners problems

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  Versa Nightmare - 2014 Nissan Versa Note
  By Mark Juhl - October 13 - 4:56 pm

  The Powertrain is only warranted for 60K miles. My transmission needed replacing at 63K. Nissan will not budge on 60K. Plan on spending $4,000 on a new transmission (and only one year old!). If you can afford the $4K, you still have to live with the heat shield rattles. A thin, flimsy piece of sheet metal held on with a screw and an undersized washer. I would never consider any vehicle made by Nissan after this experience.

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  Murano Mistake - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By Gary Ehnes - October 11 - 1:35 pm

  Tires cost double to replace and wear out twice as fast Engine blew up at 52,000 miles while regularly maintained Ride is bumpy due to giant skinny tires Zero help from Nissan

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  The worst automobile on the market - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By Jimmy514 - September 4 - 10:00 am

  You better believe this 2001 SE nissan Maxima is no Acura 3.2 TL. There absolutely no comparison. I purchased my wife a 2000 Acura 3.2 TL and purchased a 2001 Nissan SE maxima for myself. If she would, I would gladly trade the maxima for the Acura. The maxima has been nothing but a source of problems. Tire replacement ever 30,000 MI. at a cost of $1000.00. Brakes and rotors replaced at ever 15,000 MI at a cost of 400.00 per wheel set. Wheel bearing failed under 73,000 MI at a cost of approx $400.00 to replace. The company was contacted and didnt stand benind the automobile.This is a bad vehicle and Nissan will not stand behind it.

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  What a Lemon! - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By ammaiol - August 14 - 6:00 am

  Come on Nissan- whatcha gonna do for all of us? This cars SUCKS! And with so many of us having the same problems youd think they do something fast. How many does it take for a class action suit? I have brought the car back 5 times already. So far theyve supposedly replaced the entire transmission, replaced the torque converter, reset the computer and car still bucks, chugs, surges forward at exactly 25 mph. and vibrates when you come to a stop. And Ive been told the same bs as everyone else, almost word for word. Do they actual have a pitch they say to all of us? I have filed complaints with everyone- PLEASE file your complaints. We need to speak out.

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  Piece of non USA junk - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By Frank - July 31 - 5:13 pm

  Terrible design Nissan, my step sons vehicle, real dad bought it for him, cheap, piece of crap, both him and the vehicle, 135,000 miles paid $7000 for it, a little over a year and subframe bushings on front end bad, cant fix because Nissan parts everywhere dont sell bushings separate from subframe so have to replace the entire subframe for the price of, wait for it, $1200!!!! That doesnt include labor! What a stupid idea! Good luck if you buy this junk vehicle!

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  Dont buy a Sentra - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By Silvia - July 14 - 12:36 am

  Ive had many accessory problems like the visor mirror door hinge broke and map lights got stuck. The window stripping does not seal so air leaks in and is very noisy. The air conditioning system has gone out twice. I purchased the vehicle because I though it would be reliable and comfortable but I had a better experience with a Ford Escort. The dealerships customer service is no help.

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  What a joke on the consumer - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By $38000 piece of junk - June 25 - 1:50 pm

  $38000 piece of junk. Leaks they cant fix, squeaks and rattles they cant find. From week to week it has been endless trips back to dealership for more bull. Windows go down, but not up, doors on side both rattle, even the radio had to be replaced, due to a bad one. Compression leaks, exhaust leaks, and when it rains, watch out. They cant find where it is coming in from, so deal with it. I was told that windows are not going up, because i dont give the relays time to adjust, funny just drivers side. Warped rotors, brakes etc.I have ust 10,000 miles on this junk heep. Nissan extended warrenty, 50,OOO MILES 6 YEAR. Like im going to keep this this long! Should have gotten the Honda.