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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  Poor rear visibility, road noise, good value - 2012 Nissan Rogue
  By mando621 - May 15 - 5:20 am

  I replaced my aging 2004 Honda CRV with a 2012 Nissan Rogue and the difference in visibility on the sides and out the back window is striking. The rear window is small and high, and I never feel confident when backing. Typical cabin. It is next to impossible to retrieve an item that falls between the front seat and the console. You literally need a wire hanger or something that narrow. Huge glove box and console but no small spaces for phone, etc. The performance is typical of any new vehicle, it runs and handles fine. I enjoy driving it except when it comes to backing. Compared to my friends 2012 RAV 4, the road noise is very noticeable. The onboard spare limits cargo space.

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  Murano has too many common chronic repair issues - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By Max Magliaro - May 12 - 5:45 pm

  The Murano has so many good things going for it. Comfort, power, 4 wheel drive, roomy, stylish. It is a shame that it has a list of failure points that Nissan has not fairly addressed with its customers. Newer model years after 2006 may be improved. I dont know. But the fact that they did not make good with their customers for the chronic defects in the 2003 - 2006 models is a major black mark in my book. The web is rife with common chronic failures in these vehicles, I have experienced enough of them, and Nissans poor handling of their responsibility to the consumer, that I will never buy Nissan again. Items 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 below are all failures I have noted on the internet with enough frequency that they are clearly chronic defects. 2006 Murano, now has 88,000 miles on it. Among the failures: 1. Front drivers seat bracket broke (I was one of the lucky ones who could get the repair done with a $300 part instead of the whole $1000 carriage). Outrageous. This is a manufacturing defect and should be a free recall replacement. 2. Lower control arms - Just to replace worn-out BUSHINGS? You must be joking. A $250 job with $100 in parts for both sides suddenly costs $900 to replace both control arms. 3. Fuel pump sending unit (all "****" on the mileage display on the dash, and no indication of full/empty) 4. Failed CD player 5. Drivers side power window motor --------------- So far, my CVT transmission has *not* failed, and I got a certificate with the car that extended the warranty on that to 10 years or 120,000 miles. But I am nearing that deadline, and Im fearful that it will quit and leave me stuck with an enormous repair bill. I will probably scrap the car if that happens. --------------- Update: 4-Aug-2016 Since my original review, nothing else major has failed on the car. But there are some minor things: 6. Drivers side sun visor is operable, but is getting loose enough to occasionally droop. I have read of others on the web that have had it get so loose that it wont stay up out of the way of vision. I am anticipating having to make some sort of sleeve or add some set screws to firm-up the pivot point. 7. Cup holder plastics and springs are brittle and break off easily. Ive had to do several repair jobs on these, adding steel pins and plastic solvent cement to really make them hold.

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  Going on 4 years... - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By chowe - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I bought the 2000 XE V6 4WD and I am impressed with the reliablity and ride after +60K miles. Sure, Gas Mileage could be better, but what are you going to do. My X has capably handled several snowy winters in the last few years and annual trips out on the beach in North Carolina. It has "passable" comfort for long trips, but it certainly isnt a Benz...Then again, there are no SLKs pulling up to the surf on the beach! Ive had a couple of little rattles and squeeks, but overall, I am pretty impressed.

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  Unreliable Car & Expensive Repairs - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Last Nissan for us - May 1 - 9:26 am

  Our second Pathfinder. All reg maint done at dealership. Had to replace O2 sensors at 34000 miles, and second one at 52000. At 61000, dealership said I had a bad catalytic converter and since we had just passed (by two weeks) the 8 year ownership mark, they refused to fix it. First two repairs were $700 each, cat converter estimate is $1000. Have had engine knock for 2 years that dealership couldnt isolate/repair. Knowing that the sensors had gone out, and there was an engine knock, they should have checked cat converter. We will fix this, sell it, and go back to buying Toyotas.

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  DONT BUY THE PATHFINDER - 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
  By baine001 - April 29 - 12:22 pm

  I bought my 2013 Pathfinder on April 19 and have just put 1000 miles on it. Since buying it it has shuddered at least a half a dozen times. The shudder lasts for about 2 to 3 seconds usually while trying to accelerate from a slow roll. The car has no power while the shudder is going on. Very Dangerous! I brought the car to the dealer and they told me that Nissan is aware of the problem and that it can take approximately 2 weeks to 2 months for Nissan to come up with a solution. I told the dealer that the car is unsafe to drive. They told me that Nissan told them that the car is safe to drive and that I need to “floor” the gas pedal when accelerating to bypass the shudder issue.

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  Fair - 1996 Nissan Sentra
  By jasjar - April 24 - 6:00 am

  The car is just fair.

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  Average car.. Awful service - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By KGRAY - April 23 - 10:00 am

  This car has a great engine and very spacious interior. That is where the good things stop. Nissan service departments are awful. Car dead for no reason and dealer has it for 3 days each time with no loaner car offered for me or my family. Still cannot tell me whats wrong. Multiple other small issues. This is the 1st and last Nissan I will buy. Going back to Honda

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  Not Comfortable - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By JoeFrank - April 23 - 2:00 am

  One of least comfortable cars I have ever driven. Every bump, every hole, every paint line is felt. Even my old 96 Camry and 2001 Regal are much more comfortable. I wanted a car to take on trips, but this is not the car.

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  maxed out - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By meka - April 20 - 10:20 pm

  I bought my car 4/06. since then i have replaced struts, ac compressor, tie rods, head lights. knocking sound on right and the service men at nissan cant figure out what it is. constantly being aligned. front grill chipped up. it is very sporty and fun to drive but cant enjoy the drive for having to replace tires so often which are way to expensive. a headlamp cost me $186. oh not to mention the motor mounts keep breaking. guess you can say i got a lemon too. will never ever buy another one. im maxed out on funds keeping this junk running!

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  2006 Nissa Maxima-Disappointment, Costly - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By bmcgavin - April 18 - 3:04 pm

  So, like everyone else that seems to be writing reviews, my 2006 Maxima had transmission issues. Ill start at the beginning (which wasnt long ago). I bought the car for $12,000 from a used car dealership less than six months ago with 117,000 miles. I loved the car. It was one of the nicest cars I ever bought. I also bought a 2002 Altima brand new (loved it). Two weeks ago the transmission started slipping between 2 and 3rd gear and it would downshift when I let up on the gas. Also, the Service Engine Soon light came on. Took it in and low and behold, Transmission was all but gone and the catalytic converter was needing replaced. Out of luck the dealer told me. Traded for a 2010 Chev Impa