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 performance - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By mark78 - September 24 - 2:00 am

  MAJOR power steering problems. Not a smooth ride. Great sound system. I average 16.2 mpg between city & freeway. For optimal performance of supercharge, you need premium gas. The extra money you pay for supercharge is not worth it compared to the regular model.

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  Its...decent? - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By rhiamichelle - September 20 - 3:53 am

  I bought this car used with 70,000 miles on it. About 2 weeks after I got it, my service engine light came on. Nothing happened for months. Around month 5 the CD player wont spit my CD out, & wont suck them in. After about 6 months, my car started randomly dying while I was doing 70 on freeways, which was a big inconvenience since I drive around 60 miles on the highway a day. Changed the crankshaft position sensor, which was relatively cheap, I guess. This car doesnt stand well in wrecks. I hit a light pole going about 5mph & the back bumper just fell off. I feel that Im paying far too much for far too little. Not worth it, cant wait to get a new car.

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  No more Nissans for our family - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By junknissan - September 14 - 12:43 am

  We have purchased 5 Nissans new and used since 2000. 3 Xterras by my mother who now 74 years old, and 2 Pathfinders by me. The 2006 Pathfinder was junk after 40K. The front impeller shaft joint went bad 40K. The steering column replaced at 46K. A running board became loose, and needed replaced. Fog lights worked when they were in the mood at 60K. Then we got to 87K. Radiator cut loose and mixed the coolant and trans fluid. At the time all Nissan would offer is a discounted price of $4000 to do the repair. So I went onto ebay bought a $100 replacement radiator, and had Jiffy Lube flush the tranny. I took it to a Chevy dealer and dumped it for a Silverado 4x4 crew cab. The tranny was slipping.

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  Big Truck - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By bobby jackson - September 13 - 10:00 am

  When shopping for a new truck, I only looked at the Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan. Thought that the Japanese makers would have higher quality. But after only 4 months of ownership thing are already going wrong. The brakes stared to shimmy after only 2 months and the interior is already starting to fall apart. Buttons on knobs are falling off. The rubber around the door is also falling off. For a full- size pick-up truck, this thing is a little too refined and fragile on the inside. This makes me wish I had looked at the more traditional U.S. makers such as Dodge, Ford, and GMC, or went with the Toyota.

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  Basic Transportation - 2016 Nissan Versa
  By David Williams - September 12 - 8:54 pm

  The Versa S gives you the basics with the essentials like A/C and a bluetooth radio with 4 speakers at a very low price. The car comes standard with everything manual: manual 5 spd.transmission, windows, door locks, seats, and key. I was able to make a copy of my key for $2.00 when it would cost me over $200+ to replace my chip key for my Honda and VW. But the conviences you give up in power features you gain in less weight, better fuel economy, quicker acceleration, shorter stopping distance, better reliability, and a lower cost to own and operate. The Versa a good car for basic transportation needs.

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  2005 Pathfinder SE - Multiple Issues - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By rushfanyyz - September 11 - 8:17 pm

  Bought it in 2008 with 32K on it, now have 89K and have been a member of every recall Nissan has issued and then some. First was the A/C console had to be replaced; fuel sending unit failed at 70K, ECM was replaced under recall at 85K. Now with 89K, the oil sending unit has failed and the torque converter inside the transmission is shot. Its at Nissan getting a BRAND NEW TRANNY from Japan at the toon of $4300 and low and behold, that brand new transmission is defective as well. Leaking fluid. Its Brand NEW and still has issues. 4-6 weeks before I get a replacement. Nothing but problems. Dont ever buy one of these vehicles. Selling it next year. Would rather walk instead LOL

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  Great truck, BUT... - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By emg8160 - September 4 - 4:54 am

  I bought my 06 Frontier from an individual via Craigslist with 108k miles. I loved it for the 2 months I could drive it. Then, the tranny went out. Come to find out, this is common and Nissan never issued a recall. I found someone local who would install a re-manufactured tranny and new radiator (included all labor and fluids) for $4,000. I have been waiting for over 2 months to get my truck back because their "parts people" from Chicago had originally gotten the wrong parts number for the tranny and are now waiting for a solenoid so they can complete the rebuild... I am now in the position that (if I ever get the truck back) I have more in it than its worth so I HAVE to drive it now...

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  05 SE 4WD - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By MommyPam - August 29 - 10:10 pm

  I have owned my pathfinder since March 05. I have been rear ended and had less than 1k in damage. Stood up wonderfully. The poor soul that hit me didnt fare as well in their car. I think this SUV is great, and I get a lot of compliments on it. Looks, ride, size. People are amazed at how inexpensive it is. Most say ot looks more expensive.

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  too light - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By dakota - August 29 - 2:13 pm

  if the road is slick and a truck passes you,watch out, you will be in the ditch. the wind blows this car all over so I got rid of it after some close calls

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  Problems and Headache - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By bestfriend - August 25 - 2:50 pm

  I brought the Max 04 SL, Majestic blue last Dec 03 and a month later the fuel pump gone bad.It took Nissan 4th attempts to figure out that it was the problem.Then, headliner fell off, glove box hang, front struts gone bad, driver side weather strip came loss,fan makes noise when ac/heater on,dash board makes noise as well,smell engine burn when on a long trip just to name a few...This is a HEADACHE CAR.I filed a BBB claim and cant wait to settle this claim...I thought this was a reliable vehicle but I guess not...