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1988 Nissan Pulsar NX SE 5MT

All Nissan Pulsar NX N13 trims (1987–1990) → All Nissan Pulsar NX generations →
1988 Nissan Pulsar NX – exterior Unverified
Photo: 1987 Nissan Pulsar NX 1.6 Twin Cam Turbo by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photos show the N13 (N13, 1987–1990); trim, color, and model year may differ.
All photo credits
  1. Photo: 1987 Nissan Pulsar NX 1.6 Twin Cam Turbo by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. Photo: Nissan Pulsar (4200548780) by dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. Photo: Nissan Pulsar (4199795473) by dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photo: Nissan Pulsar NX 1.6 1987 (15252502923) by order_242 from Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  5. Photo: Nissan Pulsar (5503259075) by Michael Gil from Calgary, AB, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 1988 Nissan Pulsar NX SE 5MT is a 1.8-liter inline-4 with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $13,824 MSRP and is rated at 22 mpg combined.

EPA fuel-economy estimates are 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (22 mpg combined).

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeHatchback
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$13,824 ($37,978 *)
Engine
Engine Type1.8L DOHC inline-4, EFI
Displacement1.8 L
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City20 MPG
Highway26 MPG
Combined22 MPG
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

1 recall on file with NHTSA for the 1988 Nissan PULSAR. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Dec 18, 1987 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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.

NHTSA campaign 87V191000

6 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1988 Nissan PULSAR

Owner Complaints

6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1988 Nissan PULSAR (1 mention a crash, 1 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Engine And Engine Cooling3
Fuel System2
Gasoline2
Hydraulic1
Service Brakes1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Mar 16, 2001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic Crash 1 injury
“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…”
Mar 17, 2000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“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…”
May 6, 1999 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“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…”
Apr 20, 1999 · Fuel System, Gasoline
“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…”
Apr 15, 1996 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“CRACKED HEAD GASKET, CAUSING OIL LEAK.”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1988 NISSAN PULSAR. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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