PULSAR

Nissan PULSAR Recalls

All 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on the Nissan PULSAR (1983–1988) — what failed, what it risks, how it gets fixed, and how many years passed before the defect was admitted.

NHTSA campaigns · 3 campaigns · Updated Aug 5, 2026
Quick answer

The Nissan PULSAR has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on record covering 1983–1988. On average a defect was admitted 0.5 years after the car was built, the slowest took 1 years. The most recalled system is Fuel System, Gasoline (1 campaigns). Owners also filed 11 complaints on this model — see what breaks.

What was recalled on the Nissan PULSAR

Grouped by system. Open any row for the campaigns themselves — what failed, what it risks and how the dealer fixes it, straight from the NHTSA filing.

Fuel System, Gasoline 33% 1 Read
1988 Nissan PULSAR · 87V191000 · admitted after 0 years

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 · 87V191000 · admitted after 0 years

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

Latches/locks/linkages 33% 1 Read
1984 Nissan PULSAR · 84V139000 · admitted after 0 years

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 · 84V139000 · admitted after 1 year

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

Exterior Lighting 33% 1 Read
1984 Nissan PULSAR · 85V021000 · admitted after 1 year

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

How long a defect stays unadmitted

Campaign numbers encode the year of the announcement, so each recall on this model can be dated against the car it applies to.

FIG.03·Nissan PULSAR — how fast defects were admitted
MeasureValue
Average gap before admission0.5 years
Slowest campaign1 years
Admitted 5+ years later—%
Campaigns on record3
ROWS 4·SOURCE ForCar, computed from NHTSA campaign numbers

Which PULSAR years were recalled most

Campaigns per model year. A year with more campaigns is not automatically worse — it may simply have sold in far greater numbers.

FIG.04·Nissan PULSAR recalls by model year
Model yearCampaignsMost recalled system
19881Fuel System, Gasoline
19871Fuel System, Gasoline
19842Latches/locks/linkages
19831Latches/locks/linkages
ROWS 4·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

Check your own car

A campaign applies to a range of production, not to every car of the model. The only way to know whether yours is affected — and whether the repair was already done — is by VIN.

FIG.05·How to check a recall by VIN
StepWhat you get
Enter the VIN aboveOpen campaigns for that exact vehicle, straight from NHTSA
Check the repair statusWhether the free fix has already been carried out on this car
Book at any franchised dealerRecall work is free regardless of age, mileage or owner
ROWS 3·SOURCE ForCar
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Frequently asked questions

How many recalls does the Nissan PULSAR have?

3 NHTSA campaigns on record, covering 1983–1988. Not every campaign applies to every car — coverage is by production range, so check your VIN.

Is recall work free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer regardless of the car's age, mileage or how many owners it has had. That is a federal requirement, not a courtesy.

How do I know if my PULSAR still has an open recall?

Enter its VIN above. We show campaigns that apply to that exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been recorded as done.

Why did a defect take years to be recalled?

On this model the average gap between the car being built and the defect being admitted is 0.5 years, and the slowest campaign came 1 years later. Defects usually surface as they accumulate in the field: complaints pile up, an investigation opens, and only then is a campaign issued.

Recall campaigns from NHTSA, published as filed. Years elapsed before admission computed by ForCar from the campaign number, which encodes the year it was announced. Last updated Aug 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.