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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  Deep Buyers Remorse - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By atglass2 - January 7 - 8:55 am

  I purchased my new 2013 Altima in Nov. 2012. I have had the car for 3 months and I have had to take it back to dealership 5 different times for the same lugging noise and vibration issue. They replaced the belt and belt tensioner but the relief from the awful noise and vibration only lasted a short time. I have 2 open cases with Nissan customer care but all I can get out of them is that Nissan is aware of the problem. Now they dont even return my phone calls. The service manager at my dealership told me that their hands are tied, meaning Im on my own. I have owned many new cars in my lifetime and if I had an issue, it was quickly addressed. This time it has been a nightmare.

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  DON"T BUY!!!! - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By rustyvell - December 24 - 2:00 am

  A/C breaks down every 5-6 months. No power in the 4 cycl. eng. Service at dealerships No Help!

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  poor build quality - 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
  By OA - December 20 - 2:33 am

  have had my car for about 10K- various internal and external parts falling off, breaking or poorly assembled. Have been to the Nissan dealership and they are having a hard time repairing the car due to poor quality of Nissan parts and design. Do not know what I will do when warranty is over.. Would not recommend this vehicle to anyone

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  Woulda Coulda Shoulda - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By john smith - November 20 - 9:13 pm

  Clutch burned out before 12,000 miles, mechanic would not talk to me directly about the issue, in shop 3 times for over 30 days and still not resolved.. no loaner while in shop, clutch not working under 32 degreesF, hard to see out when backing up, small mirrors with no factory extensions nor aftermarket accessories for towing, no low rpm torque for trailer towing even at 1/2 of advertised towing ability. Very disappointed after 4 previous Nissans. Am 7,000 upside down after one year and truck back in shop for estimated 2 weeks of repairs! Rental CAR costs me $50 a day in the mean time. Is putting me out of business and NMAC is happy to be closed in evenings... be wary!

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  Very Poor Quality Vehicle - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Mike S. - November 16 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely will never, ever buy Nissan products again. The issues with this car are innumerable but Ill try and include them in order of decreasing cost to fix: New transmission (other complaints on this site) @ 70K miles, new paint job due to defective black paint that lasted only 3 years, new front struts at 65K miles, new front bearings @ 60K miles, front wheel shimmy is recurring issue since day 1, front headlamps are not clear due to sun after 4 years. The front turning radius is that of an 18-wheeler.

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  Poor Reliability - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By ncsteve - November 14 - 5:33 pm

  Owned a 93 Nissan Truck , greatest I have ever owned, purchased this 2004 based on my experience with Nissan - boy have I been disappointed, multiple mechanical issues, power steering went, brake master cylinder all by 70,000 miles - now my fuel pump is going - DO NOT PURCHASE

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  Makes me wish for my 20-YO Ford Escorts - 2012 Nissan Versa
  By Mike Falcon - November 13 - 2:11 pm

  Electric, mechanical, and body integrity no better--and far more costly to repair--that the 20-YO Ford Escorts (sedan and wagon) I formerly drove: ELECTRICAL: nobody in service at the dealership where I purchased the car can figure out why I periodically get shrieking warning blasts from somewhere in (?) the center console: they "never heard" of this (although 5 mins of online research show this reaction is not uncommon); brake, fluid, & all else that should be indicated by warning lights (and inspections) revealed nothing wrong. A/C noisy and barely adequate when the outside temp is over 90 degrees (it;s a roomy interior and would benefit, I think, from a bigger compressor. Had to replace the behind-the-dash fan (for both heating and A/C ) at 55K. Heating: the cars "cool" temp setting on the dash really mean just degrees of very hot air unless the A/C is turned on. The car lacks a temp gauge and oil pressure gauge. MECHANICAL: $250 wanted by the dealer to replace rear brake shoes (drum brakes in 2012? I didnt even think to look). Cracked control arm bushings seems reasonable on a car with 60K, but using parts ordered online, I had OEM struts, rear shocks, all of the control arms, bushings, an alignment, and rear brakes replaced and installed for less than than the dealer wanted to replace the cracked bushings and install new rear brake shoes. Mileage is worse than my auto-transmission Ford Escort STATION WAGON: lucky to get 30 mpg in the Versa at 55 MPH (with cruise control) on a 300-mile flattish stretch of open highway (the wagon routinely got 33-34, and the sedan, at that speed, 34-36). City mileage is horrifying: Im a "gentle" driver and am not stuck in stop-and-go traffic, but Nissan in "city" driving gets a remarkably low 17-18 MPG. Interesting: there is a two-mile stretch of road I can coast down, and the Escorts reached 55-60 MPH on that mild decline, but the Versa is apparently not as aerodynamic, as it settles in at about 47-48 MPH. The Versa is tall and noticeably easier to get into and out of, however. BODY INTEGRITY and TRIM: laughable. I bought the car when it was two years old, but did not expect the "rubber" window seals to crack and turn brown nor come away and hang down, nor the trim at the front door to come away, nor the metal panel on the body (which the door slips over) to come off. Had none of these problems with the old Escorts. The Versa is noticeably more peppy than the old Escorts, but its not going to win many races. Factor in the depreciation . . . Ouch! Note that I opt for Mobil 1 synthetic oil, which, I would think, ups MPG a little. Also, I very rarely have a passenger so there is little "extra" weight.

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  Problems with Maxima 01 - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By Joseph - November 2 - 8:03 am

  Have Nissan Maxima 2001 Had to replace the following: Exhaust system Catalytic converter CV joint ABS Tires etc

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  Biggest Disappointment of my Life - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By mslissa - October 11 - 5:13 pm

  I wanted a Rogue because all the reviews I had read were great!!! I have hated this vehicle since the day I drove it off the lot, I wanted to return it, but the dealership said no sorry, once the ownership is done its yours. I traded in my Mazda Tribute because I was looking for something newer and maybe better on gas. I miss my Mazda so much, this was such a huge mistake and I am looking to trade it in, but I owe more than the trade in value so regardless I will be taking a loss. The transmission is ready to go any day, wheel bearings, it seems the most costly things to repair are what goes on these vehicles. I hate it and cant wait to get rid of it!

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  bad car! bad car! - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By venting67 - October 3 - 8:04 pm

  This car is RIDICULOUS!!! I bought this car used with only 36,000 miles, if that. This car has broken down soooo many times that I am both surprised and disappointed that the government has not stepped in and reprimanded Nissan. Other than normal maintenance, I have spent greater than $3000 in major repairs. I am soo over this car and will be trading it as soon as possible.