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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  THIS CAR BLOWS - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By sigmanu - December 9 - 10:00 am

  I HATE THIS CAR NOT ONLY IS IT POORLY MADE BUT IT TAKES THE DEALERSHIP WAY TO LONG TO FIX THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH IT MAKE IT MORE RELIABLE AND BUILT IT TO LAST 2 MONTHS AFTER DRIVING THE CAR OF THE LOT THE AC NO LONGER WORKED AND IT TOOK ME 4 TRIPS TOT HE DEALER AND 3 MONTHS AND THREATS OF A LAW SUIT TO GET IT FIXED. AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE AC BROKE THE SHIFT KNOW CAME OFF AND HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED

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  Transmission problems - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By cardenasj2038 - December 6 - 11:05 am

  I bought a new 2005 Nissan Maxima and recently I have had some transmission issues. The gears have been sticking and slipping and so I took it to the dealership and was informed that I need a new transmission and that my warranty expired 890 miles before I took it in (my warranty on the transmission was until the car reached 60,000 miles). The dealership then informed me that it would cost $5300 to replace this. I did some research on the internet and found out that I am no the only person with this issue, and I also noticed that it is a widespread issue for the model year I have.

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  Total Disappointment - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By JAC - December 2 - 6:23 am

  This car is a total disappointment. The timing chain went of the car after 26,000 miles. The care burns a ton of oil and the moon roof leaks. The motor is noisy and the problems just keep piling up. I also had the rear deck rattle and drove the service dept crazy until they fixed it. I finally got a real good service mechanic to put some extra foam under the deck to it would not rattle. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN PERIOD. THIS CAR STINKS

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  Big mistake! - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By Sheila W. - November 13 - 3:03 am

  Loved the car when I first got it. Had problems from the moment I drove it off the lot. Tire pressure light wont turn off, bluetooth is unusable, the car SHOCKS me evertime I get in or out of it, gas mileage is about 25 mpg freeway, not the 35 mpg that was promised. I have had to replace tires within the first 6 months. Dealership refuses to help with the shocking problem- claim my nose ring is causing the shock. Now the transmission slips while I am driving and I am terrified to go anywhere. I am a mom of 2 and do not treat the car harshly. Horrible horrible car. Save yourself a huge headache and choose another vehicle!

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  Fuel Injectors - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By suzannaharati - November 1 - 3:33 pm

  I have gotten into 5 different wrecks in the past year and most if not all having to do with my blind spots on the left and right sides of the vehicle. I have noticed that the head rest cushioning has already started to come undone and also the lining to my back right window is coming undone which is letting water seep through. The biggest thing though is that just recently I found myself stranded at 3 in the morning with my car not wanting to crank. After getting it towed, the mechanic informed me that it was my fuel injectors flooding my engine. He said it was a flaw due to the manufacturing and would not be surprised if I would need to do it again in 40,000 miles. That job cost me $325.

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  Stay away from thw 2002 Altima - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Gone Driving - October 27 - 10:00 am

  The car is just shy of 2 years old and has had a new catalytic converter, radiator, engine mount, heater core and ABS sensor. It has ongoing problems with vibration and wind noise which have still not been corrected . There is rust on one of the engine brackets which according to Nissan has no metal in it. The car had starting problems. The brakes have no power assist in very cold weather for the first minute or two after starting the car. Unfortunately all the excitement that I had when I bought this car has turned into lack of confidence in Nissan Products.

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  2008 Nissan Quest - 2008 Nissan Quest
  By Phil Glasser, Sr - October 26 - 2:23 pm

  I purchased a used 2008 with 500 miles. At the time I wondered why anyone would trade this vehicle with under 500 miles, but was taken with the style and the lay down 2 row seats. Long story short, after my first long ride, over 100 miles, I took the van back to the deal complaining of hard ride that left my kidneys aching for two days. After some counseling, we exchanged tires, used nitrogen, reduced tire pressure, tried every seating position with electronic seat and manual lumbar adjustment during the next week--all to some relief but still could not get comfortable. Talked to managers, other salespersons all to no avail. tried leather seat vs cloth--no

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  Nissan Sucks - 2000 Nissan Sentra
  By Never buy a Nissan - October 25 - 10:00 am

  LetÂ’s see where should I begin. My car has been in for service since the first week I got the car. I have had my computer, bearings, AC Pulley, alarm, and numerous other things replaced. Not to mention I have had to put three new tires on the rear left (they all blew!) they cannot seem to get my car in alignment. Not to mention 5 recalls...now have load engine noise that always comes back no matter what they say is wrong. Also, I have had bad experiences with rude service people!

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  Thinking of a Nissan? A cautionary tale. - 2011 Nissan Armada
  By Glenn Urban - October 13 - 9:57 pm

  Shortly after our Armada was out of warranty, a rear AC line corroded through so the AC did not work. The part was installed in one piece, so the repair meant removing body from frame to replace it.....at a cost of $4,000.00! So far the company refuses to talk to me about it. Pathfinders have had the same design "feature".

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  Worst Decision Ever - 2014 Nissan Sentra
  By never_again10 - October 12 - 5:39 am

  I purchased this 2014 Sentra SR a few months back and within minutes of leaving the dealership I noticed the Shutter/Shudder/Jutter whatever you want to call it. 3 Nissan Dealerships and 200+ technician driven miles later and they still cant come up with a fix. I contacted Nissan North America about a month ago and have been going back and forth with the rudest, most incompetent customer service agents ever. Not only are they impolite and discourteous, but they actually have the nerve to talk down to you like youre some kind of idiot. Anyways, Ill keep everyone here in the loop as this process plays out. In the meantime, AVOID NISSAN LIKE THE PLAGUE!