Wins, Wrecks, And What-Ifs
Every automaker has a trail of “what were they thinking?” moments tucked between their success stories, and Nissan is no exception. Some rides hit the streets with timeless appeal. Others? Let’s just say they taught buyers some expensive lessons. This list walks you through the real-world highlights and lowlights, complete with missed marks, smart buys, and a potent lesson about doing research before buying your next car.
Nicolás Gutiérrez Cervetto on Unsplash
1. 2004 Nissan Quest
Transmission issues weren’t just occasional—they were frequent enough to earn a reputation. Sliding doors malfunctioned so often that they became running jokes in owner forums. Cramped access to the third row sealed the deal. Resale value? Nearly nonexistent. Reliability also took a serious backseat with this misstep.
U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Wikimedia
2. 2013 Nissan Altima
First of all, CVT troubles arose early and persisted. Then, excessive oil use turned routine checkups into red-flag events. Brake wear complaints mounted, raising long-term ownership costs. Additionally, its steering rack didn’t age well. Performance dropped rapidly, and confidence behind the wheel declined even faster.
3. 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
Coolant leaking into the transmission spelled disaster for owners who had to incur thousands in repair bills, sometimes more than the SUV’s market value. As if that wasn’t enough, fuel gauges routinely gave false readings, adding guesswork to every trip. Over time, dependability fell apart.
Titoupath - Nissan on Wikimedia
4. 2016 Nissan Sentra
Every day driving in the Sentra lacked energy, punch, and even comfort. How? Well, acceleration felt sluggish, even for a budget compact vehicle. Plus, the CVT shuddering made the ride feel uneven. Interior materials didn’t just feel cheap—they looked it, too. Drivers expecting more but got less.
5. 2012 Nissan Juke
Here, the design stirred conversation, but backseat passengers weren’t amused. Rear-seat space was tight, bordering on impractical. Rear visibility? A hustle. Then came turbocharger failures—an expensive problem that hit too many owners. Flashy looks couldn’t mask the mechanical and functional letdowns underneath.
U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Wikimedia
6. 2007 Nissan Murano
That CVT aged like milk, and its premature failure left owners stranded or budgeting for major transmission overhauls. Then came seat bracket cracks, turning comfort into concern. Add a weak transfer case and steep repair bills, and this Murano became a recurring nightmare for many.
7. 2009 Nissan Versa
Cost-cutting was evident, first with the thin insulation letting in too much road noise, and secondly, the base trims offered manual windows in a decade that expected better. Rust in the subframe threatened the car’s integrity. Steering issues added another layer of unpredictability.
8. 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport
Style sold this model—until owners bought it. Sluggish acceleration made merging nerve-wracking. Throttle response lagged just enough to be annoying, while the infotainment system felt stuck in a previous decade. Its early signs of CVT trouble made long-term value questionable at best.
9. 2006 Nissan Xterra
Timing chain tensioners failed more often than they should. Some units suffered transmission fluid contamination, making it an expensive fix. Fuel economy disappointed even by SUV standards. Add in poor resale performance, because this Xterra didn’t live up to its rugged image.
10. 2018 Nissan Kicks
At city speeds, the Kicks held its own. But on the highway? The cabin got noisy—fast. The interior felt bare, missing tech disappointed early adopters, and the limited AWD availability left utility-focused buyers heading elsewhere. Flash didn’t deliver the expected function at all!
While the above Nissan models fell short, the following excelled in value, design, and longevity, making them worthy of the spotlight. Let’s shift gears and look at the ones that actually deliver.
1. 2020 Nissan Altima AWD
Commuters love it, and families trust it—this Altima blends fuel savings with all-weather control. The AWD system grips when roads turn slick, while interior space keeps every passenger relaxed. Safety tech adds peace of mind, making it a practical choice year-round.
The 2020 Nissan Altima AWD has the MOST Comfortable Zero Gravity Seats by TheStraightPipes
2. 1990 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo
Built for speed but never short on style, the 300ZX made serious noise in the ’90s. A twin-turbo V6 and a promising launch made it a driver’s dream. Technology-forward for its day, it remains a legend among performance enthusiasts worldwide.
3. 2023 Nissan Ariya
The Ariya’s appeal lies in its balance, range, comfort, and technology, all of which show up strong. ProPILOT Assist helps with the heavy lifting on highways while the cabin whispers luxury. For drivers ready to go electric, this modern crossover checks major boxes.
4. 2011 Nissan Leaf
When it debuted, this vehicle sparked a quiet revolution. The Leaf’s maintenance was refreshingly minimal, and incentives sweetened the deal. Instant torque made city driving punchy and fun. As the first of its kind in many driveways, it earned its place in EV history.
5. 2003 Nissan 350Z Track Edition
It wasn’t built to commute—it was built to carve. The 350Z Track Edition delivered razor-sharp handling, strong Brembo braking, and 287 hp that rewarded precision. Tuners loved its potential. Racers loved its readiness. Few coupes connected man and machine this well.
2003 Nissan 350z Track Edition Spring Drive & Overview by Philip Tamorria Sports Cars
6. 2018 Nissan Rogue
Fuel economy made it a budget win. Safety came standard, not optional. Cargo space adapted easily to family life or weekend escapes. No frills, just function; this Rogue was exactly what buyers wanted, and they proved it by making it a bestseller that year.
7. 2022 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X
Fresh from bumper to bed, this 2022 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X ditched its dated past. A 310-hp V6 gave it teeth, while off-road tech brought real trail confidence. Inside, comfort finally matched capability. It was tough, but this time, it was refined where it counted.
8. 1991 Nissan Figaro
The 1991 Nissan Figaro looked like a cartoon and drove like a charm. With a turbocharged heart and just 20,000 ever made, the Figaro became a collector’s gem. Nostalgic yet clever, it offered a rare personality in a world filled with cookie-cutter compacts.
9. 2002 Nissan Maxima SE
Performance was hidden behind a business-casual exterior. The 255-hp V6 pulled hard, and the sport-tuned suspension begged for backroads. Inside, leather and a Bose system elevated the ride. Used buyers still circle this one. Why? It offers a lot without asking much.
Nissan Maxima Review | 2000-2003 | 5th Gen by Driven Companion
10. 2015 Nissan Murano
This Murano traded rugged for refined, and it worked. A panoramic sunroof flooded the cabin with light, while its V6 kept things responsive without killing efficiency. With smoother curves and a comfort-first ride, it made long drives feel like short ones.
