AI Damage1987 Nissan Pulsar: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Nissan Pulsar filed 3 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and fuel system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 33% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel system 33% of all complaints
- 3 Wheels 33% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (33% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (33% of all).
- Wheels: 1 complaints (33% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 3 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The driver side rear tire had two lugs nuts holding tire, one one the two lug nuts was broke. Dealer contacted please add vin.
When pumping gas in tank gas leaks out from under car when almost full. Gas burns fast.
Then stated the vehicle began smoking and they pulled over. Consumer opened the hood and a fire broke out, causing injuries to her back and hair, consumer stated that the car was totally damaged.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 17,150 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 47% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Pulsar has 3 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 3, about average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Wheels. Wheel runout, cracks, signs of a wheel strike.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Nissan Pulsar?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, fuel system, wheels. Total complaints: 3. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (33%), smoke, burning smell, fire (33%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Nissan Pulsar?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1987 Nissan Pulsar from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1987 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.