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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  Dealer decline to honor warranty - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By gilbert - March 17 - 2:00 am

  The car showed a paint imperfection like small craters all around the body. I took the car to the dealer to get the dealer paint the car. However it declined to do. The fact is that the car is parked under the roof/garage all the time. The dealer alleged it was caused by environment. The dealer is Motorambar, San Juan Puerto Rico.

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  Stay Away - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By SteveS - March 11 - 11:00 am

  Purchase new as economical transportation. Owned Nissans in the past with much luck. However this vehicle will make me reconsider purchase of product in the future. Poor reliability - have invested more in repairs on this vehicle than my 93 Nissan pick-up.

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  Only 5,000 miles with issues!! - 2013 Nissan Sentra
  By khuzbuz - March 11 - 2:17 am

  I have experienced problems with the AC blowing hot air and the rear brakes developing a loud metallic grinding/crackling noise. The first time I took it to the dealership they kept the car overnight - the service adviser said there was a service bulletin on the brakes and the brake cylinders needed some lubing. They had no idea why the AC was not cooling periodically. I picked the car up and after a week or so the brakes had the same issue and the AC was HOT all the time! Very uncomfortable driving in 100F+ weather with the windows down! The dealership kept it for 2 nights and figured the brake cylinders had to be replaced as well as the AC compressor. Covered by warranty but whats next???

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  Already in for service - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By Dissapointed - March 8 - 4:26 am

  On its way in for service after a month. Bolts(3 so far) keep falling off from somewhere and sticking to the speaker magnets. The back tailight assembly is coming loose. And there is a banging coming from the front end. The gas gauge keeps jumping all over never know exactly how much gas is in the car. Gas mileage is way below my daughters 09 corolla. Contrary to what others say this is not a japaneese car read the windows. Looking to dump this garbage heap.

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  High Maint Cost with subpar parts - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By purza - February 28 - 9:09 pm

  Annoyances: Goodyear SRA tires were toast after 15k miles. Air conditioner compressor stays on until the ignition is turned off. Over-all climate control not good. Brakes are under sized and rotors need replacing often. At 61 K miles drivers side axle seal started leaking. At 70 K miles Passenger side started leaking. Reported to NTSB per Titanclub Website. Called 800-Nissan and their customer service was terrible and wouldnt lift a finger to help me even though many, many other people have the same problem. Now my drivers side seal is leaking again at 120 K miles.

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  Good-Bye Nissan - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Carolina - February 27 - 10:00 am

  Overall, I have been very disappointed at this car. Paid top dollar for it, very roomy and loved the dealership. This car, though, would have costly repairs FREQUENTLY even after I took very good care of it as I followed the maintenance schedule. After being told that I needed to put in about $3,000 in repairs to replace catalytic converter, replace rack and pinion and alignment and then of course their additional suggestions such as fuel injection service and engine oil flush, I decided to get a new car. I have had enough! Im looking at the Sonata, Camry and the Accord. Hope to have better luck with another car.

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  Shoddy Workmanship = Lots of Repairs! - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By KAG - February 27 - 10:00 am

  I bought the Sentra because it had a lot of features I wanted for the right price. All 4 tires needed to be replaced at 36K. 1st week returned to the dealer for a clanking noise under the car - it was missing the clip that holds the exhaust pipe before the muffler & the headrest wouldnt adjust. The fuel door stopped opening after a few months, & Nissan only covers that for 1K miles. Paint was bubbling & peeling off the hood after a few months as well & needed to be repainted. Both sun visors needed replacing. Rather large rust spots on the rear door jams & small ones on the roof at around 30K required 2! SEPARATE trips to body shop for rather extensive repairs! Only avg 27 mpg. Shoddy!

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  Join Me in A Recall Campaign - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By sxz62 - February 27 - 10:00 am

  Less than half a year since I bought this car brand new, I found it hard to fill the gas tank and then the "Service" light was on and it was the fuel control valve causing the problem. It was replaced but the problem comes back again. Caroline from this site has had the same problem, and Nissan issued similar recall before. I believe all the OOW owners should get it replaced for free although I am still in warranty.

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  Not too bad - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By BMH - February 26 - 1:36 am

  Got this car with 14k on it in 06 and has over 60k now. Gas milage is far better than factory sticker. Being 63", this car is way small. The cup holders are worthless. The ride is ok, very noisy. Doesnt like to start on first try some times or it starts and dies. Have an on going issue with the plug for the mass air flow sensor. Keeps getting dusty and then the car through an engine code and wont drive, have to blow out the plug to get it to run. Performance is poor, I had an 88 Honda Accord that had a better ride and more pep then this car.

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  2013 Nissan Maxima needing new Engine? - 2013 Nissan Maxima
  By shellyh1 - February 25 - 4:30 pm

  For 5k miles, we absolutely loved our 2013 Maxima SV Premium Tech Package till it left us stranded in the middle of no where. Apparently, the timing chain came off. We are waiting for the dealership to put in a brand new engine. The dealership we purchased it from was so kind to offer me 28K on a car I purchased 3 months ago for 35K.