AI Damage1988 Nissan Pulsar: common problems
Owners of the 1988 Nissan Pulsar filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and fuel system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 50% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel system 33% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 17% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 17% of all complaints
- 5 Suspension 17% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (50% of all).
- Fuel system: 2 complaints (33% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (17% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Suspension: 1 complaints (17% 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
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 6 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 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 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.
Brake system failure. Private mechanic looked at vehicle and could not determine a reason for failure. Consumer driving at approximately 30 mph when she rearended another vehicle in front of her at a stop light. Brakes were functional 2 months after accident, then failed again.
When we were waiting before a red light or a stop sign, it became dead suddenly. This situation happened five times within one week. For these five times,we restarted it after a while for three times, jumped it one time and the other time we could not restart it at the accident scene(without trying to jump it) but…
At the time of incident I was unaware of anyone whome could help me. I have papers proving that in 1988 nissan pulsars , after 30,000 miles, platinum parks plugs are to be used during a tune up. In the bosh manual for spark plugs it states that this is unneccesary.
There is a great fire danger and mileage and drivability problem. Nissan refuses to repair the problem, stating that there is no evidence of a defect in the injectors of the '88 pulsar with multi-port injection eventhough it is the same manufacturer as the replaced '88 300 et al, and has the same exact safety problem.
Experiencing fuel leak in engine compartment, recall that relates, but not inlcuded (87v-191).
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 13,278 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Pulsar has 3 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 6, above 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.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1988 Nissan Pulsar?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, fuel system, service brakes. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: brake failure (17%), fuel system, fuel smell (17%), oil leak or consumption (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1988 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 1988 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 1988 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.