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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  Beware something is up with the Nissan Altima - 2016 Nissan Altima
  By mccd04 - February 9 - 2:37 am

  I parked my new Nissan in my daughters driveway and took a couple of items into her house, I cam back out to get the rest and my car was gone. I look around and see it sitting in the neighbors yard across the street in their bushes. I walk across the street open the car and push the button to start it and move it back in the driveway and this time I set the parking brake. I immediately call the dealership and get told to bring it in for them to look at. After the dealership having my car for a month which is longer than I had it before this happening they tell me they cant find anything wrong and for me just to always set my parking brake but when it happens again to not move the vehicle just call them immediately and they will come get the car. They also told me that most likely the car wasnt all the way in PARK thus it rolled across the street and hit the neighbors bushes and because when a Nissan Altima hits something the transmission automatically puts the car in Neutral that is why I was able to start it without it being in PARK. Initial questions from the dealership were 1. When I got back in the car did I have to shift gears before starting it. NO 2 Did I recall hearing anything when I opened the car door. NO . Problem I have with this logic after getting my car back I ran a series of tests. 1. No matter what gear I have the car in other than park it keeps beeping and flashes a message to put car in park. 2. I have reached out to several friends who are mechanics to find out if its the truth that when in a collision that in the Nissan Altima the transmission really gets put into Neutral(of course I dont want to intentionally hit something to see if it is true or not). To be noted also I have numerous friends and family and this is my third Nissan Altima and this is the first safety issue I have had but to me it is a big one. I will say one of my 2014 Nissan Altimas did have an issue with the entire console constantly going out sometimes for a few minutes sometimes for a day after 18 months and over 12 visits at the shop they replaced it but after a little bit it started doing it all over again which is why I traded it in June for the 2016 because I was tired of constantly having to spend half a day at the car dealership why they tried to repair my car.

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  Remote entry problems, Again!!!!! - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By disgrunteled owner - February 5 - 4:50 am

  At 30,000 miles the remote entry module went out. Its got just under 50k, and its going out again. The day we bought the car, the passenger front window seal flipped and had to be replaced. The drivers window made a very loud cracking noise when the window was rolled all the way up, and the regulator mount had to be welded to cure this, at 15k, and its starting again. Its only had mobile 1 since new, but quite often suffers from lifter noise. I trust this car very little, and I think the experts agree. Thats what leads to very low resell value. If I could squeeze this car, Id get lemonade.

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  Piece of Junk - Never again - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By toyman15 - February 4 - 1:26 pm

  I thought Id save a few thousand by buying a NISSAN over a TOYOTA, and thought the Nissan would be reliable like the Toyota. No way. First 30k miles the fuel sender went. $400. Then the windshield washer tank sprung a leak. Now, at 80K miles the transmission went, cause the trans cooler in the radiator cracked, allowing a transfer of fluids between cooling system & trans. $4500. Not to mention missed work, time wasted, etc.

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  Do Not Buy One - 1997 Nissan Pathfinder
  By james m - January 30 - 12:23 am

  I dont know if i got a lemon or what, but my nissan had a underhood fire, 2 transmissions, and major engine work all within 3000 miles after purchasing used. Took it back to the dealer and threatend to sue. bought a chevy trailblazer for replacement. am very happy now.

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  worst engine the vechicle could have - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By disappointed - January 28 - 8:20 am

  my wife was in love with this vechicle. the inside design is roomy and comfortable. the engine at first was great, but after 25000 miles it started with a tapping noise that now has become annoying and loud enough we were asked if it was a decile motor. took it to the dealer ship and they said nothing wrong they even brought in a specialist and he said that it was normal?? very disappointed with the performance of this vehicle. Nissan corp. doesnt want to help. the car car now has burned a quart of oil between oil changes that doesnt seem normal. the vehicle didnt do any of this before.

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  Terrible Car - Buyer beware!! - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By ward - January 26 - 3:26 pm

  I have had more problems with this car than my Hyundai. after 1 year (4/06) I had to have a brand new engine .. since then the car goes to the dealer every few months because it just wont start. im given numerous reasons about why it just dies they say they fix it and then it dies again .. my 2 year old car is at the shop TODAY! I tell everyone I meet dont buy this car. not to mention the other problems (my cd got stuck in the cd player and now it wont work .. if you use the cup holder it will always change the cd in play .. sound from the brakes) the list goes on and on. get ready for a fight with Nissan Corp if you complain!!

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  THIS CAR SUCKS - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By TQM - January 22 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car the first day available in 2001 (9/01). Since the first day, has been in the dealership a total of 4 months. Odometer and speedometer head problems. A-pillar sqeak. Stips of insullation in vent ducts. Catalytic converter @18K. All 4 rotors @18K. Whole engine rebuild @19K. Front Axl seperation at 18K. Today, the gas door stopped operating. RESALE SUCKS on this car. BUY ANYTHING ELSE. NISSAN has offered NO support.

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  Sad - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Her - January 16 - 2:00 am

  My wife insisted on this car, so she bought it. Unfortunately I think we will trade it in. Too many squeaks. I hate design. It looks like raised up P/T Cruiser. Why is it so expansive if you can get a better Acura MDX? Buttons under the console, come on! Already have small scratch on aluminum trim. Engine truck-like vibration, again, not as refined as Lexus/Acura/MB/BMW

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  Not Happy! - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Dawn - January 10 - 4:26 am

  I bought a 2004 Nissan Altima in June of 2005. September of 05 the fuel pump went out on it and was supposedly fixed and covered under my warranty. My car had to be towed to the dealership. In May of 06, I had a transmission fluid leak which took 4 trips into the dealership for them to find exactly where the leak was. This was also covered under my warranty. Now, 1 1/2 weeks ago, my car failed to start again. Once the dealership checked it out, they stated it was the crank position sensor. This is not covered by my warranty and its going to cost us $140. I am so unhappy with Nissan and have called the Nissan customer service to request they pay for the problem, they wont return my calls.

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  rattle box - 2008 Nissan Pathfinder
  By steve - January 9 - 7:46 am

  I bought my v8 pathfinder used. I was sold on the cheap price and options and I liked the V8. However, I was quickly disappointed. It started to rattle right away. The dash and door pannles are very cheap. I was also disappointed with the ground clearance it had with the bumpers and overhangs. It is not an off road vehicle! I went and traded it in on a new xterra and that was even a bigger mistake. Brand new and it rattles and squeaks. I am disappointed with Nissan. They have went down hill in quality. I will never buy a nissan again. I hope other readers will read this and not make the same mistake.