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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  Replacement - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By T - April 4 - 4:23 am

  I bought my 2006 Nissan for Xmas 2006. My car has broke down on me twice brand new car first owner. I have services the car at the dealership I purchase from the car has a loud noise when you turn the vechile on brakes very noisy. I had a 1998 Camry with no problems before I purchase this car. I wish I still had my 1998 Camry. This Altima is no good.

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  Transmission Issues - 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
  By ironjasper - April 2 - 6:57 am

  We bought our 13 Pathfinder SL 4WD in August of 2013. Within two months we started to feel the CVT Transmission shuddering under light throttle applications. We had the car in the shop four times for this issue, but they could never replicate the problem. After the shuddering started to become progressively worse and became a safety concern, we finally asked the dealer to buy the car back for the balance of our loan. Happily, they agreed, and we were given $6000 more than the Kelly Blue Book trade value. Other than the transmission issue, the car was very nice. It rode great and got very good MPG for a mid-sized CUV ....

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  Good SUV despite Nissan - 1997 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Gasoholic - April 1 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle as a leftover demo. Its not that I havent liked the Pathfinder but it has at any given time had several repairs that needed to be done: *bolts broken off manifold/exhaust interface. I found out about it when they were replacing a valve between the fuel tank and engine that was broken. *new front brakes at 52K? *new clutch at 60K. *cracked struts at 65K with never more than light off-roading? These babies cost $1000 a piece to replace. *The climate control is clumsy and its either been too cold or too warm in the truck. Nissan needs to stop convincing itself that they are as good as Toyota and Honda.

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  Worst new car Ive ever purchased. - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By bradhenson - March 30 - 2:05 am

  I really wanted to love this car, but the quality is sub par to put it mildly. We replaced a 2012 Nissan Juke that we loved (rear-ended and totaled). I kick myself every day for not buying another one. The transmission is noisy, the power steering pump is noisy, and the interior rattles more than an American car with 200k miles on it. Nissan says that the transmission is supposed to sound like the old "baseball card in the bicycle spokes", but Im not buying it. The Juke transmission was perfect, but this one is perfectly horrible. I get mad every time I have to drive it. Im done with Nissan. My next car was going to be a 370Z, but Id buy a Korean car first...

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  "Dont Believe The Hype" - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By will - March 26 - 3:00 am

  Just wanted anyone that wants to know that this is by far the worst vehicle that you could buy. This truck has been one problem after another. The first major problem (the shifter locking up so that it wont shift past neutral and or out of park into drive) showed up 16 hours after I picked it up from the dealership; and by the way 7 months later it is still not fixed. Their has been a problem at least once a month. And dont even think of Nissan being any help either to you or the dealership. Half the time I called them and left messages about my file with customer service, they would even call me back. Two days ago I contacted the Better Business Bureau. PLEASE SPEND YOUR MONEY ELSEWHERE!

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  A purchase full of regrets - 2014 Nissan Rogue
  By danielbrian142 - March 23 - 6:58 am

  I completely regret this purchase. IÂ’m a mid-30s guy, and this is bar far the worst new car IÂ’ve ever owned. IÂ’ve been lucky enough to own 4 in my life, all Hondas. But after the infotainment issues in my Accord, I went on a limb. The limb broke about 3 months into ownership, when a persistent rattle started in the dash where the instrument panel connects. About two weeks later, upon the first below freezing cold spell, the sunroof started to rattle when the cover was opened. Three visits to the dealership later, the problems are still present. Their fixes last for about a week, and then the problems return. The blind spot system is also completely useless in the rain b/c of false +s.

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  Nissan murano SE 05 - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By UNKNOWN 05 - March 20 - 12:30 pm

  I love this car but a 53,000 miles driver seat is not working, the repair is more than $1,000.00; same thing happened with the power window; only 3 windows are working and I need to get the master power window, and brakes have some sound, I went to the mechanic and he told me that they are fine. So now I dont know where this sound is coming from. w

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  Noisy Nissan Altima - 2015 Nissan Altima
  By Sandra Mulla - March 19 - 12:43 am

  I bought a 2015 Nissan Altima in January 2015. Like the car, but its very noisy! High pitched whining noise is coming from the power steering pump. Streater Smith Conroe said they couldnt fix it. We brought it to Fred Haas in Tomball and they tried fixing it by replacing the steering pump. It help some, but the noise is getting louder by the day. Nissan does not have a fix for it. I hate driving the car because its so noisy. A man in parking lot heard it walking by and asked what that noise was under the hood! Lots of wind noise. Gas mileage is great, but would rather lose a couple mpg to ride in a quiet car! Very disappointed with Nissan for not helping further with this issue.

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  Lemon - 2000 Nissan Sentra
  By HRDEDD - March 18 - 5:03 am

  I bought this car used and had a great time for maybe the first year. My check engine light has been on for years. It says my catalytic converter needs to be replaced. I paid for an expensive fix getting a new catalytic converter and the check engine light is still on and still reading the same thing. My uncle didnt even believe it was my catalytic converter because there was not burning hot air coming out of my muffler. The car seems to run fine with the check engine light always on so after many trips to various auto repair shops I have basically given up and just drive it as is. The car is small which was great for me back in college but having a family in the car is hard.

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  Its ok - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By NICOLE - March 14 - 2:06 am

  I purchased my 03 pathfinder a year after the new body style came out. At the time I didnt need the 3rd row seat but now wish I purchased that instead. shortly after purchasing I brought it back in because I had a heat shield loose and exhaust leak. My service engine light is always on, I have it shut off and after driving anywhere from 60-200 miles it turns back on because an evap leak. I recently had a smoke machine hooked up to it and was able to find the leak near the gas tank. I have removed almost all the heat shields and replaced my muffler twice and had it fixed once.