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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  BAD RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Trina - November 21 - 7:10 pm

  Purchased in 2005 at 110,000 miles the radiator fluid leak into the transmission without any warning nor is it included in the service repair to change. To no end Nissan will not accept responsibility of a faulty radiator design. I am not the first and the last with this same problem. I will never buy another Nissan! Consumer relations stated they will not accept responsibility and states the warranty of their radiators go out at 36,000 miles.

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  Sorry we bought this!! - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By Pat Evans - November 21 - 8:23 am

  We purchased this car thinking we would never have another new car since we are retired and getting old and wont be driving that many years. The wind noise in this car is so bad we cant talk. We have taken it back to dealer any number of times. First they said Nissan was working on the problems and to come back in a month, we did that, after 3 trips to dealership we are getting that is a characteristic of this car and nothing can be done about it. We are very unhappy with the way we have been treated. I am really not just an old woman trying to grip, we do have a problem and can not get any one to help us. All I can say dont buy a Nissan Rouge, it is a waste of good money.

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  A lot of problems... - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By Scott - November 17 - 4:06 pm

  I bought this car in 2006. It has about 76k miles on it at the moment. I have had a LOT of problems with this car. One time the car shut off in the middle of an intersection, cost about $500 to repair. The tires wear unevenly, the dealer said its because the tire arms went bad, and to replace everything wrong with it right now he said its going to cost over $2,000. Terrible car from a maintenance perspective, and doesnt get nearly as much gas mileage as it claims. Probably will never buy Nissan again, and I do NOT recommend this car at ALL.

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  Electrical Problems - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Mark - November 13 - 12:20 pm

  After a few months of owning the car, the coils went out (cost $800). Six months later same thing plus wiring harness (cost $2,800). A few weeks later same exact thing, only they replaced the computer in the car (under warranty). A few weeks later, the same thing, and now another computer and coil pack. The computer fried everything over and over again. My car has had the computer replaced 4 times. The last time I went back to the dealership, I had them look at the history, and the original owner had the same problem. The car has been repaired at the Nissan dealer every time. I have spent numerous hours on the phone with Nissan Corporate, with no help what so ever. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR

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  2015 Pathfinder with CVT failure - 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Jonathan Wong - November 11 - 3:57 am

  I recently purchased this Pathfinder on 7/26/15. On 8/3/15 I started having a shudder when I accelerate at low speeds. The notorious CVT shudder. Nissan doesnt offer loaners or rental reimbursement unless you pay an extra 2000$ - (ridiculous). I know for sure after a 95 altima, 02 Maxima, 09 Altima hybrid. This Pathfinder will be the last Nissan I ever buy.

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  HUNK of JUNK - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By general - November 8 - 1:30 pm

  Brakes, Rattles, Wheel Alignment, Wind noise front doors just about blow off in the wind, quarterpanel Rust Through, Poor Front Seats Hard as a Rock no Side Support, Electrical Problems, Takes Months to get Parts, Have to Fight to get Warranty I am trying to get the lemon law going. DO NOT BUY ONE OF THESE OR ANY NISSAN JUNK. It spends more time in the shop then on the road. Nissan should be ashamed of themselves.

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  Poor - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By altima2.5s - October 25 - 11:23 pm

  I purchased the car and less than 200 miles and the transmission does not want to shift out of park, The interior brake light will only come on when the shifter wants to come out of park. The exterior brake lights come on but thats not the problem, the transmission can be released by a pushing a key into the key release slot. But its definitely a hassle to have to have to put a key in there every time to shift into a different position. And thats what the dealership told me to do.

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  CVT transmission issues - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By denver13 - October 24 - 1:13 am

  Please google Nissan Rogue CVT transmission issues before considering this vehicle. I used to love my Rogue, but after 2 years of driving it, some serious concerns came up. I had multiple experiences where the transmission overheated, putting the vehicle into safety mode. When it is in safety mode, it DOES NOT GO. This happened to me on the highway, and right after getting off of the highway in the middle of an intersection. This issue has been reported in several instances, so please do research it! Nissan is aware of the reports, but only offered me a solution of changing the transmission fluid. I traded it in, as I found the vehicle too risky and unreliable. Please be careful.

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  A Total Disappointment - 2012 Nissan Versa
  By Wilma Transou - October 21 - 3:57 pm

  I purchased this Versa in 2013; after about 68,000 miles I started having transmission problems. I was totally frustrated especially after no one would take responsibility for the problem. It is just a disgrace that so many other owners of the same model are having transmission problem as well and there should be a class action lawsuit against the manufacturers of this vehicle!!!!!

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  DONT EVER BUY A VERSA! - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By horriableversa - October 20 - 6:06 pm

  My mom got this car brand new in 2007 with less than 20 miles on it. I got the car when I was 16. It was an ok car at first than my mom hit a tire busted the oil pan and transmission pan. After that I lost two hub caps, my key was stuck in the ignition, my front bumper had fallen off numerous of times. Its made of pure plastic I will say that much. The 3 button on the radio fell off, my dash got stuck shut, the car sucks in the rain, it eats tires on the front two, sucks gas, you need to change the oil more often than usual. Some guy backed into my front end the other week tore it plum off. insurance says their is no way the car was in park, I would say more but their is not enough room!