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:

• 

  Buy Honda or Toyota - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Bill - September 17 - 3:33 am

  The Quest was the most unique minivan when we purchased it. In retrospect, we should have gone with a Honda or Toyota. We have had problems that one would not equate with Nissan. The end-links on the rear stabilizer somehow self-destructed, the horn fuse continually blows, the original brakes only lasted 27,000 miles. The rear brakes were shot after this period! Ive never experienced this in ANY vehicle I have owned of any make! Radio is flakey and just goes mute on its own at times. Transmission has gotten stuck in one gear and required me to stop the car, shut it off and restart it. I planned on keeping this vehicle for a long time but now Im not so sure.

• 

  Very unhappy and frustrated - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By nothappynissan - September 16 - 4:08 am

  I bought my new 2013 Altima about 3 months ago and its been in the service dept 3 times. My car vibrates terribly. They first said it just needed a computer upgrade or something and that should fix it. It didnt. I took it back and they determined it needed a new Torque Converter and that would stop the vibration. It didnt. I took it back a 3rd time and they said my back right rim was oval and replaced it with a round one and that wouldfix it. It didnt. Each time they hooked it up to their computer, contacted "Tech line" and stayed in touch with Nissans regional office for further instructions. Its still not fixed. Now nissan is telling me its normal and thats it!? Im not sure what to do

• 

  Do not buy any CVT vehicle. - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Thomas - September 14 - 9:45 pm

  I got this car when it was 49,000 miles and the transmission went bad at 129,000 miles. I found out later that there was a recall on the transmission and could be changed by the dealership when it reaches 120,000 for free. Why are these companies being allowed to sell a vehicle if they are aware that they have transmission problems. I have always liked Nissan for the fact that I placed it along with the likes of Toyota and Honda. I have now changed that and seriously believe Nissan is not even close to these two companies. Please save your money and get something more reliable rather than this lemon and if you have already purchased one I suggest you trade it in. It might look good and be roomy but it is completely not worth it. The Nissan of yesterday is not the same Nissan of today, even the current Ford sedans are above the Nissan sedans.

• 

  Lemon - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By brian bernier - September 14 - 10:00 am

  Ive brought my vehicle in for repair 8 times over a 14 month span and still having problems, I am filing a claim under the Connecticut Lemon Law Act. The tires are alreay spent after 15000 miles

• 

  Bad Altima Experience!!!!! - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Keish - September 5 - 10:00 am

  Buyers Beware!!! I purchased a 2003 & was a lemon. (Radiator replaced 4 times in first year but kept leaking anti freeze) Nissan gave me a 2005 (at no extra cost)because they felt bad. My 2005 has less than 5000 miles and my radiator is again leaking antifreeze. (they claim its the radiator cap). Has anyone else experienced this problem?

• 

  Death Trap - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Altima_Death_Trap - September 3 - 3:06 am

  Dont buy this or any other Nissan. Nissan is not standing behind its product and charging for repairs on a recall. My car stalls and Nissan knows why but refuses to fix their faulty product. Cam and crank sensor need to be replaced or your car will stall. Nissan refuses to fix this at their cost stating that it reprogramming the ECM fixes this. Well it does not and they know it. I am never buying a Nissan again and I suggest that you dont either....unless... you have a death wish. FYI it stall on turns. No ABS, power brakes, power steering and all that good stuff that you need to control your car.

• 

  Nissan Altima...SMH - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By soa - August 31 - 10:50 am

  My 2008 Nissan Altima has been out of commission for a month! At first I thought I needed new spark plugs, but found out that one of the cylinders needed to be replaced. Mind you if only has 67k miles on it. Took it to the dealership and they could figure out what was wrong with the engine and wanted to replace it. Ive been back and forth with them for a month now and Im tired as heck! I found out that other consumers have been having the same engine issues and there is a class action suit building in California. Honestly, I think the consumers need to all get together and sue the pants off of them for not correcting this problem. Lest we forget Toyota ? Im not trying to be a causalty!!!!

• 

  Satisifaction not match w/ price - 2010 Nissan Versa
  By heart breaked buyer - August 31 - 8:53 am

  Car only designed use for iPod, should change to universal usb drive for all other device. Manufacturer said avg 28 mpg local & 34 freeway-lie! I test as 26.43 mpg freeway. Car seat latch system missing building 2 on the seat back. I can use house key to open door w the alarm system on without any noise! Backseat sm window design 2 big, if close 1st roll window, open 2nd roll drive next to airport2 min, will feel huge pressure& hard to breath. Winds come in and reflect from back to front.

• 

  Maxima Relief - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By Manny Andujar - August 29 - 1:03 pm

  My 2005 Maxima is a lemon just like all other 2005 Maximas. When your left speakers blow out(hit the side of the center console until they work again.) The transmission slips horribly. I have dealt with this for 2 years. I have finally found out what it is and no matter how bad, this should always fix it(there is a green module or sensor behind the throttle body. It is hidden towards the back against the firewall. Play with this, it should start to improve immediately do it everytime you turn the car on) I have been doing it for 2 weeks and am satisfied. Those of you who do not have maximas, DO NOT BUY NISSAN. The styling is nice but the problems are infinite. The car is only good for 1 year

• 

  Seats are constructed poorly and cheap. - 2015 Nissan Altima
  By Daphne Mack - August 29 - 3:10 am

  If you are looking for value do not purchase the 2015 Altima SL. Ive had mine for 5 months and have returned to dealership 4 times so far for repair of front passenger seat, and yes its broken yet again, at this point I will have to say Ive purchased a LEMON. I plan to contact the media if this is not resolved soon. Leather apparently poorly constructed in back seat beverage holder as well, which came off the first time I pulled it down to use the cup holder. Have not brought that to dealership attention, as Im still working with getting a passenger seat fixed that keeps popping off its hinges (very afraid someone may get hurt if I give them a ride.) Nissan Of North America Corporate office hard to reach assigned customer care person assigned to my case... they also are not allowed to give out their last names, only first name John.. Why so private when Ive purchased a car with my full name address and social security number on the contract? Stay away from 2015 Altima unless maybe cloth seats. Otherwise rides well.