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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  2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Babulal - April 6 - 6:50 am

  I am experiencing problems since the first month I bought the car. It started Bose speakers, fog light. Speakers, rorets, check engine, head light keep blowing off few times and now they are saying that the wiring harness needs to be replaced which costs almost 450. Tire problems, the car stays at the dealer place more than my home. Now I am having auto gear problem. I pay another 400 to get fixed mounts. Now they are saying that the transmission is going out and needs to be replaced.

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  Lemon - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By davidp - April 5 - 10:00 am

  Two months into the second year of ownership, the car started to burn oil. Nissan replaced the engine block. Next, the clutch would not disengage. The car went to the shop and Nissan adjusted the clutch. This helped for about one month. Next, the car stranded my wife on the side of the interstate. Dealership towed the vehicle to their shop. They then replaced the Clutch master cylinder and seals. Now you can feel the bearings grinding through the clutch pedal. Today, the dealership will get the car back for more work. This car has been driven more by Nissan than by me or my wife. I intend on asking Nissan to replace the whole car.

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  Wheres the oil going? - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By haschal vaughan - April 5 - 12:00 am

  Was alerted shortly after purchase that the car had a heavy oil consumption by Nissan. I personally think they knew all along. Was told to keep receipts for reimbursement. (on oil) Wish i had known would have purchased a Honda ! They say they will come up possibly in 60 days with a fix. I dont have the slightest idea where the oil is going i checked underneath and tail pipes. I am a very dissatisfied customer! i have just 500 miles on it and already the oil level has dropped a little.

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  Do not Buy !! - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Big T - April 4 - 7:23 pm

  Got mine used and already replaced the cataytic converter for $500. Plus the car burns oil. Just a poor job by nissan. Wouldnt advise anyone to buy one.

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  WAS a good car, we thought! - 2010 Nissan Versa
  By stallworthonline - April 3 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car about 2 months ago with 4200 miles on it. It was a dealership beater car for them. The car now has 8500 miles on it and its now in the shop having the engine replaced. As soon as we got the car, I realized the number of RPM the engine turned so I chose to switch to full synthetic Mobil1 5/30. After 2900 miles, my roommate came home and explained to me the car was ticking. I pulled the oil stick to reveal a clean stick, NO oil. Now, after 2 weeks and a new engine, Im still in a rental car because they cant get the new engine to run right either. Hope its fixed soon. Awesome gas mileage and comfortable. PLEASE LASSIE COME HOME. Hope no more problems after this!

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  Its been fun, but.... - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By Z_Owner - April 1 - 10:16 pm

  Ive had my manual 2006 350Z Touring Convertible for 4 years, been fun but expected higher quality & reliability for $40k. Good-Fun car to drive, great styling, always turns heads. Good power, good mileage. I dont drive it very hard, its a commute vehicle, but have pushed the speed and cornering a few times and had a blast. Bad-The stock tires had to be replaced after 26k miles ($700). Constant reliability problems (not including small items under $50), in a short 4 years, Ive experienced a cracked drive shaft, cracked convertible top, bubbled coating on both door handles, failed convertible top mechanism, belt replacement after 2.5 years, interior paint degrading & peeling off

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  Titan Turd - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Kevin - April 1 - 3:46 pm

  My Titan was great for about the first 6000 miles. Still looks and rides great and plenty of power but,I have had brake problems twice,radio problems,water in the floorboard,window switches,squeaks, rattles,paint rubbing off, mudguards came off.You know I can only take this thing in for repairs so often. Its like having another kid. Plus a $600 a month note. Thats my Titan 4x4 LE good luck!

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  No Help From Nissan - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By johnl - March 24 - 11:50 pm

  This car was a dream until Sept of 05 - since then it has been in and out of every area dealership for the same issue - which every technician and service manager "hears" but no one can fix. Nissan Corp has been absolutely no help - a case number means nothing. Never mind 3 recalls - a gas cap that wont open, a window that rattles, a clock that runs 5 minutes fast - stupid things that just show poor quality - and now they want $650 for an air flow sensor because I didnt have my last oil change done by Nissan? This is my third Nissan and my very last.

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  I Love this car - 1997 Nissan Maxima
  By Streetmax1 - March 22 - 10:00 am

  Im 17 years old, and im lucky enough to have this as my first car. This car is fast, sporty, while not sacrificing comfort, and luxury. I would buy a new one in a heartbeat. This car has never broken down on me, and i dont see it happening within the next 5 years. Nissan makes an awesome sport sedan, and the quality is unbelievable!

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  Noisy, greedy and lazy - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By timeau - March 22 - 10:00 am

  Something awful! 20 mpg in city/highway, metal knock in case of turning stearing wheel, in two dealerships got an answer "Your car is OK. We can not repeat your problems". Dont know what to do. Never, never, never buy Sentra!