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:

• 

  Dont Buy this JUNK - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By FREEDOM RINGS - December 10 - 9:50 am

  We are SO relieved to get rid of this junk. We traded our Nissan minivan in for a new Toyota Sienna. The biggest difference is the customer service. Nissan was incompetent, unresponsive, and useless in solving our problems. We too settled with the Lemon Law Practice and cashed in after fighting for 2 years with Nissan headquarters. I even wrote a letter to the CEO himself. So much for the "customer is always right". After 11 recalls, 4 rentals, 19 visits in less than two years there were still problems. Nissan took the fun out of having a new vehicle. Toyota put the fun right back in! I have had the Toyota for nearly 4 months and not one problem. They have been terrific!

• 

  crappy transmission - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By mykegee723 - November 26 - 9:46 pm

  when i got this car it was awesome. then all of a sudden going about 30 mph car would shake and my mileage decreased from combined city and highway 25 to 19 mph. i repeatedly took it in and nothing wrong was found. although dealership felt the shaking right away. they couldnt fix it. repeatedly took it in. all of a sudden a service bulliten came out that this is the way the car is supposed to drive. b s. i say. i contacted nissan usa and tried to reason with them. and they told me yea thats the way it is. i am a car audio installer for more than 8 yrs, and i have worked on many nissan altimas like mine. they all drove great.. obviously there is something wrong. i trade piece o crap in.

• 

  nissan sucks - 2002 Nissan Quest
  By bill7638737 - November 25 - 3:16 am

  this van stinks

• 

  Worst automobile I have ever owned - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By Keith S - November 22 - 5:40 am

  Based on the other reviews, we must have gotten a lemon. All within 50,000 miles: lost starter, engine shift assembly, front seat motor shorted out, transmission problems, catalytic converter failure and others. Have owned Hondas and Toyota and have NEVER had the idiotic problems I have with this car. Overall, a money pit, almost $3500 worth. PLus, Nissan does not stand behind product. When starter went out at 37,000 miles, Nissan claimed "that is just normal wear and tear." My 11 year old Honda still has original starter. Will never buy Nissan again.

• 

  Disappointed and filled with regret - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By Jonathan - November 21 - 6:43 pm

  I get upset every time I hear about the toyota accelerator recall. I honestly feel that the way this car performs in the snow, slush, sleet, ice and even rain is more dangerous than any accelerator problem. Im from the midwest, and I grew up driving in the snow. Ive never had a car perform so poorly and feel so dangerous as this one. Even on roads with a dusting of snow, you can feel the sentra fishtailing and moving all over the road. There are many ways around an accelerator problem, but there is no way to keep this car under control except for slowing down to a crawl. Nissan has a real issue here. If I had the decision to make again, no way I would have bought the sentra.

• 

  Thee Worst Nissan ever owned!!!! - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By medinamv - November 21 - 1:48 pm

  I have owned about 9 brand new nissan 10 used ones. from 1979 till 2009 5/pick-ups /3-200sx 5-altimas (2 have 200k onthem) 3/240sx and yes even my toys 2001 Skyline/2001 silvia S15 bluetop (stationed in Japanand now in the states with daddy) plus 3 sentras. never any problems at all!BUT! my 09 Altima 2.5s is the biggest dissappointment ever/ engine replaced at 30k for Knocking/ wears tires on rear evry 20k but alignment shows it is fine. now tranny at 59k and engine noise is back. real loud in mornings like oil is not getting up to top end. I am going to trade in ASAP on A Hyundai or VW Passat asap! I have owned my last Nissan.

• 

  Stay Away! - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By unchainedskydiver - November 19 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car after saving money for two years. As a college student, my commute only involved going to college and back, and work almost everyday. The car started giving me problems from the day I bought it. Cam/crank position sensors, which had already been replaced before because of a recall went bad. Had to pay $400. The head gasket is faulty in these models. Consumes more oil than gas. Ac/heater problems. Suspension has issues. The backlight for radio stopped working. Its a very fragile car. Unless you love wasting your hard earned money, dont buy this car, even if it is handed to you for free. Its a complete piece of junk!

• 

  Dont Buy 2005-2006 Pathfinders - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By runnermcm - November 12 - 2:00 am

  I am having the same problems that others have noted here and on the Edmunds discussion board about the radiator and the transmission. The tranny is failing, but Nissan of Omaha says they cant find anything wrong despite riding with me and it slipping (acts as if it is in neutral) - goes to 6 RPM and you say at 40 mph for a while - just one example. Woodhouse Nissan confirmed my problem but Nissan of Omaha has to be the one to fix it and so far they wont. The radiator was replaced after it flooded the tranny and they flushed it, but that didnt solve it. There are at least 3 class action lawsuits. Im not letting it end here. I will keep all boards I post on updated with progress/advice.

• 

  Buyer beware! - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By kfop - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Purchased used 05 Pathfinder in January of this year. Within a month of owning the vehicle, began having the transmission problems that everyone talks about on here (radiator fluid mixing w/ transm. fluid) completely destroying the transmission and radiator. Also began having the fuel sensor problem that everyone talks about. This all occurred between 65K - 70K miles. Dont take just my word for it. Read all of the bad reviews online for this vehicle for the tranny and fuel sensor problem. New tranny costs $5,000. To top things off, the gas mileage is awful on this vehicle (16 mpg best I ever got) I highly suggest you stay away from this vehicle.

• 

  Engine problems - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By 4battles - November 7 - 7:10 pm

  I have a 2011 Juke and recently the timing chain broke causing engine damage to the point that the engine needs to be replaced. I have 75000 miles on it due to my job requiring travel. Nissan told me that it is a good car and can handle anything I throw at it. NIssan has agreed to pay for the engine and parts but want me to pay for labor. I am caught over a barrel on this one. The new engine is only covered for 12 months or 12000 miles. This is the first nissan I have ever owned and I promise it will be the last.