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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  Please. Everyone goes to NSTHA to complain - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By zxpatric - March 1 - 1:37 pm

  Good and Bad. Good exterior, good seat, ok price. Bad driving train, but wasnt it the most important part of a car? It vibrates violently at RPM 1200~1800, pain to drive since it is mostly used RPM range. It doesnt happen to 2012 Altima rented, so a regression for 2013. I am disappointed also at Nissans slow reaction to this well-known issue. Two new cars test-drived later at dealership had the same problems. So came on, Nissan, do it back to 2012, ok? 2013 Altima owners, please do ourselves a favor to file complaint at https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/index.xhtml

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  Nissan Never Again - 1998 Nissan Pathfinder
  By robertk - February 14 - 5:53 pm

  Recently bought this 1998 Pathfinderw ith only 59,000 miles. I drove it only 3,500 miles over a nine month period and the transmission died. I would have had better luck with a Chevy or Ford! The driver seat is small and uncomfortable. The gas milage is terrible, but I knew that buying it. The back seats fold down setup is poor. The rear window leaks and the front windows dont close tight enough to stop the howl at higher speeds. I used the ratings and comments on this site to make the choice to buy this SUV. I really dont like this truck and now I feel like I made a bad choice.

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  Lurching/Acceleration Delay - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By whynissan1 - February 11 - 9:40 pm

  After taking the vehicle to both the local Nissan dealership and trusted tranny guy - neither could find any problems. Yet when the car is warm and you run into stop & go traffic (I live in So. Cal.) which is a regularity,you will experience the lurch/delay. Luckily no accidents! However, putting it into park and restarting the vehicle seems to "reboot" the problem and it will be okay for a while & then resurface when you least expect it.

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  Wont buy a nissan again. - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By Disappointed - February 10 - 8:36 pm

  In the period of time I have had this car it has broken more times than the entire life of my 91 CRX. This car was purchased to be a daily driver as the CRX is modified and I was attempting to keep low miles on it. However, Ive found myself having to drive the CRX more because this car breaks quite frequently. So far in the less than 12 month of owning it the fuel pump has been replace 2x, the starter has been replaced 1x and still wont turn over reliably, the tranny has been rebuild 1x, the a/c blower has been replaced 1x, the cd unit has been replaced 1x, and Im sure Ive forgotten a few. I will never buy a Nissan car ever again, and will trade in for a Fit soon.

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  Lemon of a car - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By Melissa - February 9 - 7:26 pm

  My check engine light has been on 3 times since March, two dealers cannot find the problem, so they reset the computer and send me on my way. And my leather seat was defective, that has been replaced. Did I mention my bluetooth has been replaced also, all of this before the 6,000 miles mark. What a lemon. If you own a Nissan, good luck if you have a warranty issue.

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  DONT BUY IT! UNLESS YOU ARE STUCK WITH NISSAN AND HAVE NO OTHER OPTION - 2012 Nissan Maxima
  By iamjade - February 8 - 4:05 am

  Brand new car, and there is condensation in both side mirror lights. Nissan claims this is normal. This car is beautiful to look. The car is very roomy and is easy to drive in the city (just watch out for the wide turns). On the highway the handling is terrible and a lot of wind noise. I get frustrated when i have to sync my ipod because it doesnt work the 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd time. If you are interested in an Maxima, Please Go check out the Acura TSX/TL, Honda Accord, Lexus ES, Toyota Camry/Avalon.

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  Buying 2002 Altima - BIG MISTAKE! - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Jewels83617 - February 7 - 10:00 am

  I have had this car towed 3x and in the shop 6x all for failure to start but told that it was a different cause each time. Ive had the throttle body replaced, parking sensor replaced, 3 recalls fixed, and the alarm system taken out all because they were blamed for failure to start (this all happened in the first 7 mos of ownership, bought brand new). I have since taken it in 2x for failure to start and they blame us by saying that we flooded it, as far as I know these kind of cars cant flood. I knew after my Sentra not to buy Nissan again but this time I really learned my lesson, what a waste of my money and time!

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  Unhappy with Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Plantation - February 7 - 10:00 am

  We have had many problems with our Quest that Nissan cant seem to resolve. The major recall did not manage to fix these problems. We are trying to Lemon Law our van. It has been in the shop almost one time per month since we got it. We have just given up.

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  Not quite, but almost a lemon - 2001 Nissan Quest
  By Southern CA - February 3 - 2:00 am

  During the first 8000 miles, Ive been back for warranty repair 5 times. All were a/c problems, the last 3 were for gas leaks, and if it required a 4th visit, then the CA lemon law would have applied. I needed to seat 7 and I thought it was a good value. I would not buy it again because of the poor quality. With 14000 miles on it, windows rattle, tail gate sags, tires loose 5lbs of air every 2 weeks, strange metallic sounds when the engine starts, and a musky odor from the air vents. Im just hoping it last until I can afford to trade it in.

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  overall bad experiend - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By jwelk24 - January 30 - 4:05 pm

  the car has been nothing but problems. Replaced the radiator and muffler within first 3 years of ownership. Brakes are a constant problem. Rotters always warping, constant vibration when braking. Need to buy a new set of tires every year. Rust on both sides of the car by back doors. I have never had a car that was such a piece of junk!