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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  I own a yugo with a nissan sticker on it - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Paul Shotwell - December 4 - 10:00 am

  I bought this nissan hoping to step up in class from my ford escort, only to find numerous problems, including, transmission slippage, caused by gear ratio setup not correct. In the suspension system, I noticed extreme dampening during braking intervals on hills. My microfilter worked terribly. I would say I loved the gas mileage. Some would say 12 mph for the highway might not be acceptable, but after experiencing this car, I was just thrilled it was able to make it to a gas station. Never again will I buy a Yugo..oops I mean Nissan

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  Nissans nightmare - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By Chris - November 15 - 12:20 am

  So I leased my altma right when they came out. I have had the car for almost 3 yeas and lets say Im glad I leased. So most dont know is Nissan has had a horrible design flaw with their new CVT. The Altimas and pathfinders have this problem but yet Nissan doesnt know how to fix it. The car will shutter like the motor is just going to jump out and run away. This has happened to my car 5 times already and nissans only answer is to throw transmissions in it. This car has had 4 brand new transmissions that were supposed to fix the problem. I have also had to have the trunk repainted twice because they dont know how to put the chrome trim on and it runs through the paint and causes the trunk to rust. Ive talked to Nissan corporate several times and their best answer for the car is that they would make a note that I was unhappy with the car. By the way this car just hit 31,000 miles

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  Murano Migraine - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By traines1 - October 27 - 10:30 pm

  I purchased this car in 2008 for 17 grand. In the four years that Ive had it, the car has cost me over 11 grand in repairs. Most recently it had Catastrophic Transmission Failure, among many other things that now need repair. It only has 81505 miles on it. Nissan is refusing to cover the Transmission under the Warranty as well. They want 4 grand to fix the Transmission and another 2,500 for other repairs, such as, Camshaft sensors,drive belts,head gasket,Transfer case.. This car has caused me huge financial and emotional pain. I would not recommend buying one. I will never purchase a nissan again.

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  So unreliable,Nissan doesnt even stand behind it! - 2011 Nissan Rogue
  By Jill Grey - October 23 - 6:32 am

  Dont buy it! After 4 years and 120,000 miles the drive shaft fell off due to poorly made universal joint. Nissan will not sell the joint, only entire drive shaft with joint attached. 2 months later the transmission blew while driving with my children in the car leaving me in the middle of the road and the car wouldnt move! Nissan says too bad because the warranty was up at 60,000 miles. Ive had the transmission serviced as they recommended and that was supposed to extend the life. Ha!

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  I hate Quest but not Nissan - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By UnluckyOwner - October 19 - 10:00 am

  From day one it rattles. Delearship tried to fix it several times. They were not successful. Lot of Wind noise. I can not hear my radio when driving the vehicle. Very low millage. The seating is not comfortable. Most of all sliding doors will not stop while closing even if there is an object in the way that could be dangerous to the kids,because they are the ones that use the doors to get in/out.we demonstrated the risk to sale person at Nissan Delearship. I did not file case under lemon law. Before some thing happens to my children, I got rid of this vehecle. I traded my vehicle back to dealership for a loss of $3000 and brought 2004 Maxima

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  I used to love nissannot anymore - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By jennifer macklin - September 8 - 1:30 pm

  I have a four door 3.5 liter engine Nissan sedan. I was excited when I first got it because it had low mileage and it seem like a very dependable car. I had the car for a little less than 4 months and had to take it into the dealership because the lights were flickering and the Windows would not go up and down. the dealership said they could not find anything wrong with it and left it at that. A few months later again it was a sensor that went bad they had to replace that but the lights were still flickering and again they couldnt find anything wrong with it. we did this for over a year went to the dealership 4 times. I dont know if anybody else has experienced electrical issues with this type of vehicle but I highly recommend that you dont purchase. it is to the point now that Im actually scared to drive it because it says no key on a constant basis after changing the batteries out Im pretty much a regular basis. the doors wont lock even though there automatic lock doors and this makes me nervous with my children in the car and driving. so if anyone has young children and travels more than 15 miles this car is not for you.

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  transmission from h____ - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By kaki johnson - September 7 - 6:27 pm

  This is on a 2007 model. Site will not let me change the 2001 mistake. If you want a hole in your head and wallet, buy this vehicle. Nissan has known about these leaks into the transmission, and for most people, the problems do not normally start until over 90,000 miles, and then there is no help from the dealer/company. These CEOs should be sent to prison for knowing refusing to call a recall, and settlement in 2012 suit is a joke for most consumers. Shame on Nissan. I will never buy a Nissan ever again.

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  Highway Robbery! - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By mrsthomas - August 23 - 11:00 am

  We bought this van with 13 miles on it. Have since had to take it for repairs more times than you should for a NEW vehicle that we paid over $34,000 for. Ridiculous things such as the drivers visor, breaking six times! Have had the heater in drivers seat replaced and it still does not work. Heater control only works if you strangle it. Drivers window motor replaced in first six months.I do not have the time to have take it in everytime something breaks, especially as things break repeatedly!!!! Dealer was unsympathetic, perhaps not surprised? We have also had the breaks done and new tires, which seem to have little effect on how crappy it drives. Will NEVER BUY Nissan EVER again!

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  JUKE OUT OR GET JUKED!!! - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By timbo21 - August 10 - 11:12 pm

  My mom bought a 2011 Juke. It has 55000 miles and major timing chain issues and they are telling her it needs a new motor. She still has the original tires and brakes on the car, so she doesnt drive it hard. They are telling her they are not going to honor her warranty. I am reading that alot of people are having these same issue. On top of that it never got even close to the gas milage they suggested. I would say if u own one running u better trade it in while its running and if u see one used dont buy it. ITS A [non-permissible content removed]!!!!

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  Bad Experince - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Brian - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I paid $41,000 for this car and guess what? At 54,000 miles transmission gone, I heard about this problem before but never believed in that and I was always saying its the driving habits but its not, this SUV is junk, v6 and only gets 12 to 14 miles a gallon, brakes and rotors at 28,000 miles, tire pressure sensors at 40,000 miles and many more trips to the dealer, today I got rid of it after replacing the transmission with 22,000 loss, worst resale value, Nissan does not make a good car and I will never ever by Nissan again.