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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  Worst Maxima Ive Owned - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By ABL - September 7 - 7:00 am

  There is no denying that this car is beautiful and fast, that is why I bought my third Maxima. I bought this car new (a left over) from the dealer on a Tuesday, Thursay it was back b/c of a terrible SHIMMY in the wheel. They balanced the tires, STILL NOT FIXED, changed all tires,new brakes, STILL NOT FIXED . Back to dealer four times, can not fix problem, basically told me I was crazy. Then altinator went, took them 1 mon. to get part. Drove a rental. SO VERY DISAPPOINTED with car and dealer. Now I read all of these reviews and I wish I read them before I bought this car because It should be fun to drive and IT IS NOT. I HATE MY CAR.. I hope this helps people...Nissan USA no help

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  Transmission Light - 2014 Nissan Altima
  By Fakhir Parker - September 6 - 10:00 pm

  Can someone tell me what it means when the transmission Light stays on?

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  Not al that its cracked up to be - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By BlueVersa - September 5 - 11:53 am

  This car has several advantages compared to other small hatchbacks: well equipped for the price, comfort, engine performance. But you have to pay dearly for these perks as the fuel economoy is very disappointing and you will struggle to get better than 28 MPG on the highway and 25 in the city. Also this car is not well built: Nissan has cut a few of the wrong corners. The bumpers are held on with plastic rivets and will come off or dent at the slightest touch (this is ridiculous in what is supposed to be a city car) and worse the windshield washer fluid tank is located underneath the flimsy bumper with practically no protection. Drinving out of snowbank resulted in its complete destruction!

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  What To Expect After You Buy - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By paul_ss454 - August 29 - 10:29 pm

  To those considering this car, I suggest you do a search on 2013 Altima CVT problems. You’ll find a wealth of detail on what buyers are experiencing. For me, the widely reported vibration problem surfaced near 1000 miles. The dealer keeps insisting that it is a normal for a car with a CVT and refuses to repair. That stance is deceptive because the problem didn’t develop until the car had miles. None of the documentation for the car discloses that this is expected to occur. The repeated response Nissan Customer Care is “work with your dealer to resolve”. The car offers some compelling features. It’s unfortunate this flaw combined with poor customer support makes it a very bad purchase

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  Nissan Maxima Brakes, ABS, Floorboards, Sunroof, Nissan Corporate, Faulkner Harrisburg, Star Nissan Greensburg - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By lilliasea - August 29 - 10:54 am

  I purchased a 2004 Nissan Maxima after extensive research as a left over in January 2005. The car was garaged 95% of the time and serviced by the dealership until the warranty expired. Traveling from South Carolina to Pennsylvania, the ABS and Brake lights illuminated. Standard brakes were still operational subsequently I drove the car to the Faulkner dealership in Harrisburg. Here the mechanics determined there was a fault code indicating an entire ABS replacement. They also found rust on the floorboards under the front wheel wells. Add this to a sunroof motor failure just days prior to the ABS brakes failing. Stranded in Harrisburg I did a little research and quickly identified a TSB on Maxima brakes. Nissan owners posted on this subject frequently as well as rust under the floorboards and sunroof failure. I shared my findings with the dealership when they called to announce the nearly 5K in repairs needed for the Maxima. The Faulkner dealership then directed me to call the Nissan Corporate Customer Assistance. I explained the situation and that the car was indeed 8 years old but had merely 60K miles most of which were highway. The interview process was consistent from the dealership to the customer service representative to the final mediator. I realized I was repeating information on the car for three days. The global narrative included; • The car received regular maintenance from the Star Nissan Dealership (I would not recommend this dealership) • The Star Nissan Group sold and maintenanced the car until warranty expiration. • The Star Nissan mechanics failed to notice any of these issues even though they had the car on the rack for 10 days repairing the air conditioning just five months prior. • I personally detailed the car four to five times a year—washed the undercarriage as well. The day before Thanksgiving the corporate mediator, Glenda, called to announce Nissan would not be providing any repair assistance. Unfortunately, I was also very ill and lacked the energy to pursue the matter. It was essential to repair the brakes so I could make it home and get to a doctor. It is important to know that I loved this car. I selected every option and waited until I found a black on black fully loaded Maxima. This car was serviced more than any other vehicle I have owned. From the 261 lb/sqft torque to the responsive engine this car made me happy…..until it didn’t. As it turns out, we had a dysfunctional relationship. I gave and gave and Nissan left me sitting. If you have read this and still purchase a Nissan and especially a Maxima remember you were warned.

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  Dont be deceived... - 2012 Nissan Rogue
  By cheermom3 - August 29 - 10:16 am

  I drove my Rogue for two years until I just couldnt take it another day. The "drone" is annoying, every fast excelled action and hill you climb you wont hear the radio. The "premium" package features stink! Visibility is tough with huge blind spots for highway driving and backing up. The Bluetooth lags so much that I was always talking over the person so I ended up still holding my phone while driving. The GPS setup was worse than the Tom Tom I had for 5+ years, it didnt recognize streets that have been around forever and does not give street names in 2012! The interior cabin has little to no room, road trips are very uncomfortable. Clear coat does not stand up to bird drops.

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  second quest - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By vanman - August 28 - 9:56 am

  ok, not as firm a shift as i remember nissan having, this is my 5th nissan product. air noise is noticeable as is wheel bounce at higher speeds. Rear pop side window rattles when open.does not always catch when start.

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  Could Have Done Better for the Money - 2009 Nissan Sentra
  By VegasJ - August 27 - 11:53 am

  It is still new so it is still nice. BUT I have to say I am disappointed. Especially since I was so happy with my previous Nissan Altima. The Sentra is a budget car in driving experience but no so much in dollars. I could have found a less expensive way to be bored. The quality is ok but nothing special. Not so comfortable for rear seat passengers over the age of 10.

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  Lemon - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By Calvin - August 27 - 4:16 am

  60,000 miles and transmission howls, car is hard to start, exhaust system falling apart, air conditioning vents not working properly, struts going bad, loud popping noise from motor mount area, brake rotor warped (and this is a cold climate) and car makes allot of road noise. This is the worst car I ever had and I have owned over two dozen cars. I will never buy another "MADE IN MEXICO" car in my life.

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  Fix the fuel pump! - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By jason - August 25 - 4:53 am

  Its a small car but you get great MPG. The sound system is very nice and the aux jack is great for a MP3 player or to plug in a GPS. I have 66,000 on my 2006 Sentra Special Edition. The only problem that I have with it is the fuel pump issue. It never starts up on the first try. There should be a recall on this problem. This is my first Nissan and may be my last.