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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  Head liner - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By pellab - June 25 - 7:20 am

  I bought my Nissan Xterra 05/24/04 brand new. My headliner is falling down on my head, I have to pin it up with tacks. I have noticed other Xterras in parking lots and most of them have the same problem. The glue on the headliner was not designed for Florida heat and this is a manufactor problem. Wrote Nissan but have not received a response

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  Affordable and reliable truck - 2000 Nissan Frontier
  By Soldonnissan - June 24 - 10:00 am

  Four doors (passenger room)and a bed (cargo room), most practical vehichle design if you can only afford one vehicle. I worried about the "small" bed being too small. It is not. I have only filled it to capacity on a few occasions and have never really needed more (if so, put it in the rear seat). Overall, nothing fancy, but dependable, reliable transportation for all my needs. 54k and no problems.

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  2001 SC King Cab Desert Runner - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By bhendon - June 24 - 10:00 am

  Good overall. Good styling. Good power. Comfortable leather seating. Poor fuel economy. Costly to repair in accidents.

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  Great speed and only good looks!!! - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Baltazar - June 24 - 10:00 am

  I bought my altima when first came out. Traded a Honda for a Nissan and I was very happy at first. Then Brake problem(Air in the brakes) came up. I have a problem driving 50 or 60 because steering wheel starts shaking... Nissan will not fixed brake problem. They say that is just normal!!! You can try to see in your car by driving slowly and pushing the brake half way through, then once you get the feeling once you will notice over and over again and will drive crazy because brakes feels like it has air in lines. Other than that is fast, stereo is great.

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  The best in its class.... - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By NISMO - June 21 - 3:46 pm

  Fantastic SUV for its price!!! And it has excellent steering and cornering for SUV... Much better than some of the sports cars and sedans. It has powerful silky smooth quiet engine but CVT takes some powers away from it.

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  Luv My Bumble Bee - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By Bizzib07 - June 20 - 6:56 am

  Bought it for 10k back in March of 09, when living in Dallas tx I drove it to Louisiana and Oklahoma.... Then turned around and drive it up here to Washington state. I really had no issues, the only issue Im having with it now is when I start it after its already warmed up I have to try 2x. But a tune up should fix that. Its my 2nd car my first was a Honda civic and it greatly compares, my next purchase will be a Nissan.

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  Long Term Reliability Issues - 2000 Nissan Sentra
  By dissentrapointment - June 18 - 1:50 pm

  I purchased my SE in 2000, with great excitement when it was first released. I took care of it very well. However, after 8 years and 108000 miles later I am highly disappointed in Nissan. I had to change my alternator at 70K, A/C malfunctions at 75K, and most importantly check engine light is on since 85K and can not be figured out why. Fixes are always temporary and its a chronic problem with this model year. Car has lost its appeal as well is its agility and power due to these problems. I would not buy another Nissan again.

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  Once it starts, its great... - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By Sandy M. - June 18 - 11:33 am

  Everything is great on the vehicle, except the starting problems... has difficulty starting, it takes 2 cranks sometimes (not only in winter, but in all seasons). It has been in the dealership 5 times in the first 12 months I bought it. Nissan Corporation refuses to buy back the vehicle, because the dealership I bought it from keeps on replacing different parts (the dealership also dont report this to CARFAX either (bad dealership)). I am now going to take it to a different Nissan dealership and see what their mechanic says. Nissan has made me miss 5 days of work - not good! I have a manual and I am lucky if I get 27 mpg in the city, I dont drive it hard.

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  A Summary of Nissan Sentra Experience - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By kapes13 - June 17 - 11:50 am

  Vehicle was purchased with 24K miles and has needed serpentine belt replacement, has had 2 recalls all new exhaust and catalytic converter be sure and get fixed on recall, needed ECM reprogram on recall. BAD PROBLEM had fuel shoot out the nozzle, this is the Vent Control Valve needs to be replaced. Mine also has the starting issues and had to modify battery terminals. Also will not eject CD and there has been an onset of dropped mileage since exhaust replacement. Now car has 69,000, trying to take care of it so it will drive 200K, we will see. The car is okay I guess, please heed these issues.

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  Z car - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By James M. Sitzes - June 17 - 9:00 am

  Muscle to have fun on stretches, tight steering and frame to handle turns at high speeds. Too much fun....