The Nissan PULSAR spans 1981–1990 with 8 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1988, 1989, 1987 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1981, 1982, 1990. It delivers up to 30 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Nissan PULSAR is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1981 to 1990 across multiple generations.
How to read a Nissan PULSAR VIN — every digit explained
Every Nissan PULSAR carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Nissan and the country it was built in (real Nissan codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this PULSAR.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- USA1N4 · 1N6 · 5BZ · 5N1
- Mexico3N1 · 3N6 · 3N8 · 3PC
- JapanJN1 · JN6 · JN8
- UKSJK
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your PULSAR, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Nissan PULSAR have?
The Nissan PULSAR has 8 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1990. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1988 Nissan PULSAR recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
What's wrong. THE SOLDERED JOINT WHERE INLET PIPE ATTACHES TO THE FUEL TANK MAY BE CRACKED.
Risk. FUEL MAY SEEP THROUGH THE JOINT AND POSE A FIRE HAZARD.
Fix. REPLACE FUEL TANK IF THERE IS SEEPAGE OR CRACK.
1987 Nissan PULSAR recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
What's wrong. THE SOLDERED JOINT WHERE INLET PIPE ATTACHES TO THE FUEL TANK MAY BE CRACKED.
Risk. FUEL MAY SEEP THROUGH THE JOINT AND POSE A FIRE HAZARD.
Fix. REPLACE FUEL TANK IF THERE IS SEEPAGE OR CRACK.
1984 Nissan PULSAR recalls 2
Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
What's wrong. IMPURE LUBRICATING GREASE USED IN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCHES COULD CONTAMINATE ONE OR MORE CONTACT POINTS. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS COULD BE DELAYED OR NOT LIGHT WHEN THE SWITCH IS TURNED ON OR WHEN THE DIMMER SWITCH IS OPERATED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: LOSS OF HEAD LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix. REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
What's wrong. DUE TO IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH BY OWNERS USING EXCESSIVE FORCE ON THE LEVER, THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY MAY BECOME DAMAGED, RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE SECONDARY LATCH FROM THE LATCH ASSEMBLY.
Fix. THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY WITH ONE THAT WILL REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF ABUSE OR IMPROPER OPERATION, FREE OF CHARGE.
1983 Nissan PULSAR recalls 1
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
What's wrong. DUE TO IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH BY OWNERS USING EXCESSIVE FORCE ON THE LEVER, THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY MAY BECOME DAMAGED, RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE SECONDARY LATCH FROM THE LATCH ASSEMBLY.
Fix. THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY WITH ONE THAT WILL REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF ABUSE OR IMPROPER OPERATION, FREE OF CHARGE.
Best and worst years for the Nissan PULSAR
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 10 tracked years, the worst years are 1988, 1989, 1987 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1981, 1982, 1990.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 PULSAR | — | Best | |
| 1982 PULSAR | — | Best | |
| 1983 PULSAR | Suspension | Average | |
| 1984 PULSAR | Fuel System | Average | |
| 1985 PULSAR | Steering | Average | |
| 1986 PULSAR | Suspension | Average | |
| 1987 PULSAR | Wheels | Avoid | |
| 1988 PULSAR | Engine And Engine Cooling | Avoid | |
| 1989 PULSAR | Exterior Lighting | Avoid | |
| 1990 PULSAR | — | Best |
What are the most common Nissan PULSAR problems?
The most-reported Nissan PULSAR problems are Wheels (1 reports), Gasoline (4 reports) and Steering (2 reports) — out of 22 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Nissan PULSAR specifications & dimensions
The 1987–1990 Nissan PULSAR measures 167″ long on a 96″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 2,388 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Nissan PULSAR window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987–1990 | 167″ | 66″ | 51″ | 96″ | 2,370 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Nissan PULSAR cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the PULSAR holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 84 cu ft of passenger volume and 13 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Nissan PULSAR tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Nissan PULSAR get?
The Nissan PULSAR returns up to 30 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,100/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1990 Nissan PULSAR (1.6L 4-cyl) gets 26 mpg combined and costs about $2,400/yr to fuel, emitting 342 g/mi CO₂ — about $1,000 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 PULSAR | 23 | 31 | $2,400 | 342 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 1989 PULSAR | 23 | 31 | $2,400 | 342 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 1988 PULSAR | 23 | 31 | $2,400 | 342 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 1987 PULSAR | 23 | 29 | $2,500 | 355 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 1986 PULSAR | 27 | 35 | $2,100 | 296 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 1985 PULSAR | 27 | 35 | $2,100 | 296 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 1984 PULSAR | 27 | 35 | $2,100 | 296 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the PULSAR stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this PULSAR's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Nissan PULSAR have? Power & range
The Nissan PULSAR is offered with 1 powertrain — 1.6L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 1.6L · 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Nissan PULSAR cost to own?
A Nissan PULSAR tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Check what a used PULSAR is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this PULSAR loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $10,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the PULSAR ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Nissan PULSAR safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the PULSAR yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Nissan PULSAR last?
A well-maintained Nissan PULSAR typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your Nissan PULSAR’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this PULSAR’s VIN free →All Nissan PULSAR model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Nissan PULSAR — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 PULSAR | 0 | — | |
| 1989 PULSAR | 1 recall | — | |
| 1988 PULSAR | 1 recall | — | |
| 1987 PULSAR | 1 recall | — | |
| 1986 PULSAR | 1 recall | — | |
| 1985 PULSAR | 1 recall | — | |
| 1984 PULSAR | 2 recalls | — | |
| 1983 PULSAR | 1 recall | — | |
| 1982 PULSAR | 0 | — | |
| 1981 PULSAR | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the PULSAR?
By owner-complaint volume, 1988, 1989, 1987 drew the most reports. 1981, 1982, 1990 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the PULSAR have?
8 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1990. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Nissan recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the PULSAR get?
Up to 30 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a PULSAR last?
A well-maintained PULSAR typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the PULSAR reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the PULSAR is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Nissan PULSAR warranty?
New Nissan models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Nissan dealer.
Where is the Nissan PULSAR made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your PULSAR's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Nissan may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a PULSAR weigh?
The PULSAR's curb weight is around 2,388 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the PULSAR have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.