The most-reported PULSAR run is JN1MN24S3EM (1984 builds) with 1 complaints, 1× the typical run. Fuel system problems make up 27% of reports; NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for PULSAR model years 1983–1988.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Nissan PULSAR has 11 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 45% of every PULSAR complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JN1MN24S3EM•••••• | 1984 | — | — | |
| JN1MN24S8FM•••••• | 1985 | — | — | |
| JN1MN24SFM1•••••• | 1985 | — | — | |
| JN1MN24S1GM•••••• | 1986 | — | — | |
| JNLPN3459HN•••••• | 1987 | — | 1 | |
| JN1PN34SXHM•••••• | 1987 | — | — | |
| JN1PN34S5JM•••••• | 1988 | — | — | |
| JN1CN34S5JM•••••• | 1988 | — | — | |
| JN1PN34SXJM•••••• | 1988 | — | — | |
| JN1CN34S6JM•••••• | 1988 | — | — | |
| JN1GN34S4KW•••••• | 1989 | — | — |
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 4 | 4 | — |
Heaviest year here is 1988 at 1 complaints per run; lightest is 1988 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 27% of everything Nissan PULSAR owners report: Fuel System, 4 of 11 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System | — | — | |
| Gasoline | — | — | |
| Suspension | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 1 | |
| Power Train | — | — | |
| Steering | — | — | |
| Latches/locks/linkages | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 3 recall campaigns on the Nissan PULSAR; the 3 below cover build years 1983 to 1988. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 87V191000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly | 1987–1988 |
| 84V139000 | Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch | 1983–1984 |
| 85V021000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch | 1984 |
The PULSAR against its rivals
The PULSAR draws 1 complaints per production run; the Isuzu IMPULSE 1.3 and the Audi 90 1.2. That is the lowest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan PULSAR | 11 | 11 | 0% | |
| Isuzu IMPULSE | 31 | 23 | 6.5% | |
| Audi 90 | 44 | 37 | 2.3% |
How serious were they
| Outcome | Nissan PULSAR | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 11 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 0 (0%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 1 (9.1%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 100% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Nissan PULSAR share of that is 11 complaints over 11 runs, 0% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Nissan PULSAR VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 11 NHTSA complaints from 11 PULSAR runs and 3 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which PULSAR production run has the most complaints?
JN1MN24S3EM, a 1984 build, with 1 complaints. The typical PULSAR run has 1.
Does the PULSAR get more complaints than the Isuzu IMPULSE?
No: 1 complaints per production run for the PULSAR against 1.3 for the Isuzu IMPULSE.
How many PULSAR complaints involve a crash?
0% of 11 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 1 involved a fire.
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