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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  Armada.......a big disappointment - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By james28 - May 10 - 7:13 pm

  This vehicle is the worst i owned. I owned a supercharged xterra which i assumed was the biggest leamon of all time. 3 recalls and numerous problems we traded for the armada. Nissan refuses to provide parts to fix the brakes and we have driven this shakey vehicle for 8mths. We have a water leak, rattles all over, power steering pump moans and a wind leak around the door. The transmisson has a shutter in it. Nissan has fallen to an all time low. I have owned nissan since 1985 and will never own another one. Stay away from nissan products if your smart.

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  Worst Car EVER DRIVEN - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By SteveJ - May 7 - 10:00 am

  From day one this car has been a problem! It was delivered with an outward ding (factory installed), that the dealership happily fixed, then it was stalling every other time I put it into reverse, the dealership fixed after three visits, then there was the locking problem, that was fixed but is now back again, it has also been repainted on the bottom sills because the paint was just flaking off of the car, the blinkers often dont work and now there is a headlamp problem. I traded in a 99 with NO problems, I wish I had been as luck with this car.

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  Blown head gasket 110KKM, 5 years old - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By bjinqc - May 6 - 10:13 pm

  Seriously? I have never blown a head gasket on 5 other vehicles that I have taken over 250KKM., two past 400 What modern car maker can fail to prevent such a potentially serious design flaw or to correct it once it becomes generally known? The old style school of denial just does not work in the internet age. Fool me once, shame on me... anything but a Nissan the next time.

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  No Nissan....ever again!! These cars have a serious safety issue!! - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By zoilus - April 27 - 4:16 am

  I bought this car exactly 4yrs ago for my GF. it had about 33k miles on it. it now has about 93k miles on it. These cars & other nissians , have had recalls due to crank and or cam sensors going bad. When this happens...your car STOPS...the engine just shuts completely off! You could be at a light, driving on the highway, going up a hill or on a wet or icy road....the car will just die without warning! BOTH senors went out within a few months of each other. Once on my GF in busy commute comming home! We have no kids and dont smoke and we take care of our cars, however we also have had, 2 window motors die, glove box just broke, visor fell apart, ignition wont unlock..etc etc

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  My last Nissan - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By StevenC - April 21 - 7:50 pm

  I am very sorry to say my 2006 Nissan Pathfinder will be my last Nissan vehicle. After owning this truck only 3.5 years, it has left me on the side of the road thumbing for a ride one too many times. The most recent repair is a new transmission for $4500. In my transmission research, I discovered that this was the only year model that Nissan used this particular transmission. They know there is a problem, but will not recall the vehicle. I am extremely disappointed. Before the pathfinder, I owned a Nissan Maxima and it ran like a champ and still is to this day. I will never own a Nissan product again!

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  WARNING - DO NOT BUY THIS VAN!!!! - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By denise - April 13 - 8:53 pm

  I bought this van relying on the Nissan Brand and quality. My car has hit 68000 miles and it is only 4 years old. I need a complete new transmission - it has been diagnosed by a transmission shop, an auto mechanic and Nissan. I called Nissans consumer affairs to get some understanding of why the transmission went out so early. I was given the run around but basically "sorry, we cannot assist you with your problem but thank you for being a Nissan consumer" On a four year car, I have replaced all four tires, brakes, driving belt and now I need a new transmission, one of my mountings is broken and the other needs replaced. Todays bill cost $3900. I am shocked. I should have kept my Dodge.

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  Blown Head Gasket - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By CANEW - April 6 - 10:00 am

  This 2005 Sentra has a blown head gasket and the dealership, Conicelli Nissan in Conshohocken PA has tried to cover up the problem for months.

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  Not a good buy! - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By Not Happy - April 5 - 3:23 pm

  I bought this car at about 20,000 miles and it was fine at first. But then started having problems and had to have the transmission replaced at about 70,000 miles, good thing I had extended warranty otherwise Id be in the hole for about $5,000+! What a rip! So I took it in for an oil change and apparently it now has something cracked that leads to the transmission. SO OVER IT!

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  My 2003 Altima is a LEMON - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Bob Loblaw - April 5 - 7:43 am

  Knock in engine started at 10,000 km. complained several times...was told it was normal. Engine replaced @ 61,000 km A strange water rushing sound in the dash. Several trips to the garage to figure it out...now its back again. Struts were gone at 30,000 km. Dealer says they are ok. Ive been in sub- compacts that ride much better. Total Brake at less than 35,000 km. Dealer charged me $1000 to repair. Doors squeak - constantly greasing them. Right door buzzer switch fell off. The door latches freeze on cold mornings and door wont shut. need to wait for car to warm up to shut door. Steering seized up and had to have the steering knuckle replaced. Simply a LEMON

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  POS Nissan - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By crbandrlb - April 2 - 2:00 am

  Edmunds should be ashamed with their recomendation for this poor excuse of an SUV. Tires on mine went bad causing a loud roaring sound but I think something is wrong with the suspension to cause them to go bad. Service Dept wont help at all. It wont carry much of a load without squatting in the rear ,very bad. Engine noise is terible, sounds like its coming though the firewall. I should have gone with Toyota.