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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  Not happy with my 2014 Altima - 2014 Nissan Altima
  By ftbutler50 - February 15 - 9:52 pm

  I bought this car a year ago and my gas mileage continues to drop.I am now averaging a little over 20 miles per gallon. This is way under the estimated miles per gallon advertised by Nissan. On occasion there is a hesitancy when I press on the accelerator. The Nissan dealership told me there was nothing wrong with the car and that it was probably due to winter gasoline. I had a Camry hybrid before this and was very pleased. Gas mileage was well into the 30 miles per gallon even in city driving. This car will cost me thousands of extra dollars that I did not anticipate spending for gas. I can feel all the bumps in the road and the occasional sticky accelerator makes for a joyless driving.

• 

  Brakes warp - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By jf - February 13 - 5:03 pm

  I own a 6,300 lb travel trailor and I purchased my 2004 Nissan Titan just so I could pull it. It has no problem pulling, the problem is stopping. Everytime I pull this trailor the front rotors warp and the truck shakes really badly. I have had it worked on several times and Nissan is aware of the problem. They even told me that all of the Titans and the Armadas have this problem. They have not fixed it to date. I will never buy another Nissan product again because they know the problem and wont fix it. The regional sales director for Nissan in North Carolina last response to me was "Safe driving," which was very irritating.

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  Head Gasket Head Gasket Head Gasket - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By Mike - February 13 - 3:53 am

  I have had two sentras a 2002 and a 2005. I enjoyed the ride in these cars and the handling. They both had head gaskets go out and I have to say that this seems to be a problem the sentras. I like the cars but would not buy one just based on the head gaskets. I also had electrical problem with my 2005 the dash lights and wipers would come on and the car would stall all at the same time. Both sentras had problems with the cd player.

• 

  Colorado car - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Dennis - February 8 - 2:53 pm

  I purchased the car new as I wrecked my Honda Civic when an old man turned left in front of me. I tried Honda Accord and Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima. Only the Nissan Altima had the CVT transmission. This transmission really gets the most out of a 4 cylinder engine. I pulled all cars up the steep section of Interstate 70 going up to the ski areas. The Nissan really held its speed going up the Floyd Hill or steep section for the test drive as the Honda and Toyota seemed to have to strain to keep up with the 65 mph. speed limit on the hill. . Bad is body dents really easily Poor body fit. Hate the fancy key. Honda dealer much better service.

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  I wanted to love it... but - 2016 Nissan Murano
  By Melissa - February 5 - 10:06 am

  My husband and I bough a brand new 2016 Nissan Murano hybrid PLATINUM edition with every single bell and whistle they offered on 1-31-2016. About a week after owning the vehicle I was driving and started to smell a burning smell. Soon after there was a loud electronic warning noise that was constant but there were no warnings anywhere on the screens as to what it might have been. I pulled over and turned the car off and then back on and it didnt return. When I took it in the dealership they tried to recreate the issue for three days but couldnt, so I had to leave without any answers. The next week my husbands commuter car wouldnt turn on so he had to jump start his car. I then had to take it in again because my husband was able to get the hood latched but it wouldnt close all the way. Luckily they were able to fix that problem. Here I am 2 1/2 month down the road (still under 1000 miles) and today I had the same constant electric warning noise and burning smell with once again, no warning signs to what it could even be. Luckily it happened twice today and my husband remembered to take a video of it so I will be able to show the dealership so they dont thing I am crazy. (Last time they tried to ask me if it could have been the eco hybrid mode shifting. They treated me like I was making things up. I am a woman and I dont know that much about cars but that sound and smell is not normal and anyone that would experience that would know that. Plus, my husband was with me two of the three times it happened and he is VERY knowledgeable with cars and has no idea what it could be.) On top of that, it says Im supposed to get an average of 28mpg city and half of my miles have been on the freeway yet my average MPG is always around 17 MPG. Im by no means the most fuel efficient driver ever, however, I also dont slam on the gas or speed around. I have a newborn with me 98% of the time so Im a very cautious driver. What is the point of paying more for a hybrid if it doesnt actually give you better gas mileage. I paid top dollar for a fully loaded vehicle so I could feel safe with my family in this car and so far its UNFORTUNATELY been nothing but a headache. I love everything else about it. Its comfortable, the tech package is fantastic and it looks amazing. However, thise issues are some HUGE deal breakers. We normally purchase from Infiniti and now in regretting using their sister company. The service and the vehicle has been so much less than what we are used to and expect. I normally dont write reviews unless I have a superior experience or a horrible experience. People need to know about these issues. Especially because this is such a new car that there really isnt anything online about it. Im really hoping that Im the only one. Other than that, the car is beautiful and comfortable. Im hopeful that they can figure out what is wrong because I want to love this car.

• 

  Never Again - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By Judi - January 30 - 6:06 pm

  This car is junk. In less than four months my brakes failed. I took to the dealership over and over. Was told nothing was wrong. Last time they kept my car 4 days and did nothing to it. Next day the brakes failed. Very noisy with lots of rattles and squeaks. Windows squeak constantly and never have gotten more than 33 mpg on the hwy. Tire pressure light goes on and off for no reason. Poor handling in tight turns and a popping when turning tightly to the left. I will never buy a Nissan again in my life. I even talked to the Corporate office and was told to take my car to a different dealership to have the brakes looked at and was charged. Had to take car to personal mechanic.

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  Nissan, never again - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By nutmeg1416 - January 24 - 10:50 am

  I loved my Murano and had the ability to overlook a major headlight issue at 40,000 mi because of the drive and comfort. Now, at 85,000 mi I am facing AWD transfer case issues which are due to a control panel flaw. The transfer case is susceptible to cracking because of control panel. Nissan fixed the problem in 05 models and on, but will recognize that there is no issue with my car. I have been extremely disappointed with the way Nissan has treated me through this ordeal. Such an expensive car should NOT have $5000 in repairs before 100k miles, very disappointed in reliability.

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  My new Nissan Quest - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By My Nissan Quest - January 21 - 5:03 am

  The Nissan Quest van beats its competitors with its bold design and features, but there are some quality issues which Nissan needs to address, like the Rattle sounds in the doors. The console even though looks very impressive, very hard to locate and operate the buttons. Overall this is a good van for the price

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  Go to another brand, any other brand! - 2014 Nissan Sentra
  By objon - January 12 - 10:00 am

  Have had this car for almost three months and I regret that decision every day. This car is doing the juttering that has been described by other reviewers. The standard line from the dealer is that it is designed to do that. Cant imagine why a manufacturer designed a transmission to vibrate. The icing on the cake is a leaky sunroof. Not talking about leaking in a carwash, this thing leaks whenever it rains. Once again, the dealer says that it is working as designed. The car "quality" is suspect and the service department is a joke. Avoid this car!

• 

  Needs Improvement - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By rpx708 - January 12 - 10:00 am

  The steering is tight, after 7000 miles, already had alignment checked and corrected, replaced back windshield wiper motor, had left driver door electric window motor checked and told was okay (still stops working while closing the window and preparing it to take back into service, replaced back passenger door window due to air leakage through the window. The style looks sharp, leather color combo with exterior dont always seem to look good together. Had a hard time deciding on color because of this. Ive taken several long trips (New Orleans and Orlando from Austin at seperate times), after several hours, felt uncomfortable driving.