1988 Nissan Pulsar recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. THE SOLDERED JOINT WHERE INLET PIPE ATTACHES TO THE FUEL TANK MAY BE CRACKED.
What could happen: FUEL MAY SEEP THROUGH THE JOINT AND POSE A FIRE HAZARD.
The fix: REPLACE FUEL TANK IF THERE IS SEEPAGE OR CRACK.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 PULSAR.
- Book a repair at any authorized Nissan dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V191000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Summary: THE SOLDERED JOINT WHERE INLET PIPE ATTACHES TO THE FUEL TANK MAY BE CRACKED.
Consequence: FUEL MAY SEEP THROUGH THE JOINT AND POSE A FIRE HAZARD.
Remedy: REPLACE FUEL TANK IF THERE IS SEEPAGE OR CRACK.
Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL TANKVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1988 Nissan Pulsar owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (3), Fuel system (2), Gasoline (2), Brakes (1), Hydraulic (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
03/16/2001 · Brakes · crash
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. ERRATIC OPERATION WITH BRAKE FAILURE 3 TIMES. *AK
03/17/2000 · Engine
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 MADE IT THE NEXT DAY. WE HAVE CHANGED THE…
05/06/1999 · Engine
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. NISSAN AGREES THAT IS IS, HOWEVER, FAILES TO DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH BOSH.…
04/20/1999 · Fuel system
FUEL INJECTORS LEAK SIMILARLY TO 300ZX,200SX,AND MAXIMA THAT WERE VOLUNTARILY REPAIRED BY NISSAN. 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 REP…
04/15/1996 · Engine
CRACKED HEAD GASKET, CAUSING OIL LEAK.
04/15/1996 · Steering
POWER STEERING RACK FAILED. *DSH
04/15/1996 · Suspension
RIGHT AXLE FAILED.
03/25/1996 · Fuel system
EXPERIENCING FUEL LEAK IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, RECALL THAT RELATES, BUT NOT INLCUDED (87V-191). *AK