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Nissan1990–2018 Critical issues documented

Nissan Pulsar: common faults & what to check

Thinking about buying a used Nissan Pulsar (1990–2018) in New Zealand? We've documented 21 known faults for this model spanning transmission, electrical, engine, and suspension. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Every one is listed below with its symptoms and repair cost, and each has its own page with where to look and what to ask the seller. Free, no account needed.

Check this exact Nissan Pulsar

  • Odometer history
  • Money owing
  • Reported stolen
  • Ownership history
  • Official NZ vehicle register data
  • NZ owned and operated

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No NZ plate yet, or buying in Australia? Pick the generation and engine and start a free check below. New to KickTyres? How the check works →

21

Documented faults

Critical

Most serious

$245–$700

Typical repair

4

Systems covered

Which Nissan Pulsar are you looking at?

5 generation variants documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Start your free check on this Nissan Pulsar

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Nissan PulsarEngine not picked yet

Pick the engine above first: the Pulsar came with 5, and without it the report has to show all of their faults. Pick the engine

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Can't confirm for this car

Nissan Pulsar

Nothing has been narrowed yet, so nothing below is a claim about a particular car. Pick a year and an engine to see which faults apply.

Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.

matched on no vehicle context

What to look out for

The checks worth doing on a Nissan Pulsar before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

  • Serious issue

    Test drive from cold through stop-start traffic: feel for shudder taking off, clunks at low speed, and rev flare on the motorway on-ramp.

    See why

    CVT shudder, belt slip and failure (B17 sedan / C12 hatch)

    The dominant fault on 2013-2017 Pulsars is the Jatco CVT: shaking and violent jerking on acceleration, clunks at low speed, rattling from early belt/pulley wear, and outright failure - frequently around 100,000 km, just out of warranty. Nissan's own TSB attributed symptoms to the steel belt slipping and wearing, and Nissan Australia ran a May 2013 service campaign covering 9,272 B17 1.8 CVT sedans. Replacement costs run to several thousand dollars; manual versions avoid the issue entirely.

    What you would notice

    • Shudder or jerking when accelerating
    • Clunk when slowing down or taking off
    • Rattling from the transmission without fluid leaks
    • Delay or flare in power delivery
    • Complete loss of drive

    Typically $3,500–$6,500 to put right.

  • Serious issue

    This fault only shows itself hot, so a proper test drive of fifteen to twenty minutes matters far more here than a lap of the block.

    See why

    Crank position sensor solder joints break down with heat — engine cuts out without warning

    The N16 Pulsar's crank position sensor has a small circuit board inside it, and the solder joints on that board deform under engine heat, made worse by flux residue left behind in manufacture. As the joints break down the sensor loses its signal and the engine simply stops, almost always once everything is hot and usually at low speed or idling. Many of these cars are now on their second or third sensor. The real danger is not the repair bill, which is modest, but a stall in traffic — when the engine cuts, the power steering assistance goes with it.

    What you would notice

    • Engine cuts out with no warning once hot, then restarts after it cools down
    • Long cranking or a no-start when warm, but starts fine from cold
    • Engine warning light coming and going
    • Stumbling or surging for a second or two just before it dies

    Typically $200–$600 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Perform a hill start under moderate throttle and check carefully for shudder through the floor.

    See why

    RE0F10B/JF015E CVT Judder and Belt Slip Under Load

    The N17 Pulsar and Note E12 use the Jatco JF015E (RE0F10B) compact CVT. Unlike the RE0F10A this unit uses a dry launch clutch pack in place of a torque converter, making it more sensitive to fluid condition and driving technique. Under moderate to heavy throttle load on hills or during merging manoeuvres the launch clutch exhibits judder as the friction material loses its calibrated slip characteristics when fluid degrades. Many owners follow an incorrect lifetime-fill interpretation of service intervals, but Jatco specifies 40,000km changes under severe duty conditions. Premature wear of the launch clutch pack and belt pulleys results, with replacement costs on higher mileage examples approaching new vehicle value.

    What you would notice

    • Vibration or judder when accelerating from standstill especially on an incline
    • Shudder felt through the floor between 20-40kph under light to moderate throttle
    • Engine revs hanging or flaring during ratio transitions
    • Whine from transmission under sustained full-throttle acceleration
    • Jolt or clunk when selecting Drive from Reverse

    Typically $4,000–$9,500 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Cold-start from an overnight park and immediately listen at the front of the engine for chain rattle.

    See why

    HR16DE Timing Chain Stretch and Tensioner Wear

    The HR16DE 1.6L engine in the N17 Pulsar uses the same hydraulic chain tensioner design philosophy as the HR15DE but with a longer stroke. The tensioner loses hydraulic preload after extended cold soaks and the timing chain is prone to stretching beyond specification from approximately 120,000km onward, particularly when oil changes have been extended beyond factory intervals. Chain stretch causes the VTC system to operate outside its calibrated range triggering cam timing fault codes. The N17's tighter engine bay increases labour time for chain replacement compared to the Note E11, pushing repair costs higher. Grey-import N17s from Japan often lack a verifiable service history.

    What you would notice

    • Cold-start rattle from front of engine typically clears within 5-10 seconds
    • Check engine light with P0011, P0021, or P0014 cam timing codes
    • Rough idle particularly when cold
    • Hesitation under light acceleration in lower rev range
    • Slightly increased fuel consumption compared to specification

    Typically $1,000–$2,800 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.

    See why

    SR16VE Neo VVL Timing Chain Stretch

    The SR16VE variable valve lift engine uses a timing chain that is known to stretch on high-mileage or oil-neglected examples. Chain stretch retards cam timing, reducing power and increasing fuel consumption, and eventually triggers the check-engine light. The Neo VVL lift changeover solenoids are also wear items and can stick, causing a pronounced flat spot in the power band around 6000 rpm.

    What you would notice

    • Timing chain or belt related noise at startup
    • Fault codes or irregular readings when scanned

    Typically $1,120–$2,240 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Cold-start from fully cold and listen immediately for chain rattle from the top of the engine.

    See why

    QG18DE Timing Chain Tensioner Wear and Rattle

    The QG18DE 1.8-litre petrol engine in N16 Pulsars has a timing chain tensioner that weakens with age and mileage, leading to cold-start chain rattle. While not typically as catastrophic as the YD25 diesel tensioner failure, severe stretch can retard cam timing enough to cause misfires and rough running. High-mileage examples with infrequent oil changes are most affected. The tensioner ratchet mechanism can fail at extreme mileage, causing rapid chain slackening.

    What you would notice

    • Rattling from the top of the engine on cold start
    • Rough idle when cold that improves at operating temperature
    • Check engine light with camshaft position codes
    • Hesitation under light-load acceleration

    Typically $800–$2,200 to put right.

See all 21 documented issuesEverything researched for the Nissan Pulsar, including 5 rated critical.
Depends on which engine this Nissan Pulsar has — 21Each of these is documented for one particular engine. Pick the year and engine above to see which of them apply.
Engine, transmission & cooling14

01CVT shudder, belt slip and failure (B17 sedan / C12 hatch)

Test drive from cold through stop-start traffic: feel for shudder taking off, clunks at low speed, and rev flare on the motorway on-ramp.petrol2013–2017TransmissionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

02Fuel pressure sensor works loose on the fuel rail — petrol leak and fire risk (2014 recall)

petrol2013–2015Engine
RareEngine $0–$450 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

Nissan Australia recalled early-build C12 Pulsars in December 2014 because the fuel pressure sensor threaded into the fuel rail had not been tightened enough at the factory. Engine heat and vibration let it back off further over time, and petrol can weep out of the joint on top of a hot engine, which is why this went out as a safety recall rather than a quiet service campaign. The affected VIN range is narrow — MNTFCAC12A0000033 to MNTFCAC12A0003200 — so the first job is finding out whether the car in front of you is one of them and whether the work was actually done. Independent teardown notes on the MR16DDT direct-injection turbo engine used in the ST-S and SSS flag leaks under the fuel pressure sensor as a known weak point on this engine family more generally.

Symptoms to notice

  • Raw petrol smell around the front of the car, worse after a drive
  • Damp, shiny or varnished patch on the fuel rail across the top of the engine
  • Fuel smell drifting into the cabin with the fan running
  • Engine warning light or rough running

What to check

  1. Open the bonnet before anyone starts the engine and have a proper sniff — a raw petrol smell on a modern injected car is never normal and is on its own a reason to walk away until it is sorted.
  2. With your phone torch, follow the fuel rail across the top of the engine and find the sensor screwed into it, looking for a wet, shiny or varnish-stained patch around that joint.
  3. Run the engine for a few minutes and look again, because a slow weep often only shows once everything is hot.
  4. Ask the seller for the VIN and check it against Nissan's recall list, or ring a Nissan dealer, to find out whether the December 2014 fuel pressure sensor recall applies to this car and was completed.

Where to look: Fuel rail across the top of the engine, sensor threaded into the end of the rail

Parts involved: Fuel rail.

Ask the seller

  • “What is the VIN, and has the fuel pressure sensor recall been done?”
  • “Have you ever smelled petrol from the engine bay?”
  • “Can I see the service book with any recall stamps?”

03RE0F10B/JF015E CVT Judder and Belt Slip Under Load

Perform a hill start under moderate throttle and check carefully for shudder through the floor.petrol2012–2017TransmissionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

04MR16DDT (SSS/ST-S 1.6 turbo) oil consumption and timing chain rattle

Cold-start and listen for chain rattle, then check the dipstick.petrol2013–2017Engine
OccasionalEngine $800–$4,500 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The direct-injection 1.6 turbo in the Pulsar SSS/ST-S shares the Juke's MR16DDT and its documented habits: oil consumption on hard-driven examples, timing chain/tensioner rattle, and carbon build-up on the intake valves from direct injection. Turbo hardware is generally sound, but these engines punish skipped oil changes and cheap fuel. A tidy, serviced SSS is a good car; a thrashed ex-boy-racer one can need chains, a clean-out and rings.

The front of a dual overhead camshaft engine with the timing cover removed, exposing the timing chain and sprockets.Example of the part — not this vehicle

The front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.

Logansenf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Oil level dropping between services
  • Rattle on cold start
  • Hesitation or flat spots under boost
  • Rough cold idle from intake carbon

What to check

Cold-start and listen for chain rattle, then check the dipstick. On the drive, hold full throttle briefly in a safe spot and check the mirror for blue smoke. Look for evidence of modification (blow-off valves, tunes) - walk away from modified examples without a paper trail.

Where to look: MR16DDT engine - timing chain at the cam-drive end, intake valves behind the manifold

Parts involved: Timing chain, Turbocharger.

Ask the seller

  • “How much oil does it use between services?”
  • “Has it ever been tuned or modified?”
  • “Has the timing chain or tensioner been replaced?”

05HR16DE Timing Chain Stretch and Tensioner Wear

Cold-start from an overnight park and immediately listen at the front of the engine for chain rattle.petrol2012–2017EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

06SR16VE Neo VVL Timing Chain Stretch

Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.petrol1997–2003Engine
CommonEngine $1,120–$2,240 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The SR16VE variable valve lift engine uses a timing chain that is known to stretch on high-mileage or oil-neglected examples. Chain stretch retards cam timing, reducing power and increasing fuel consumption, and eventually triggers the check-engine light. The Neo VVL lift changeover solenoids are also wear items and can stick, causing a pronounced flat spot in the power band around 6000 rpm.

The front of a dual overhead camshaft engine with the timing cover removed, exposing the timing chain and sprockets.Example of the part — not this vehicle

The front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.

Logansenf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Timing chain or belt related noise at startup
  • Fault codes or irregular readings when scanned

What to check

  1. Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.
  2. Inspect coolant condition and level.

Parts involved: Timing chain.

07QG18DE Timing Chain Tensioner Wear and Rattle

Cold-start from fully cold and listen immediately for chain rattle from the top of the engine.petrol2000–2006EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

08GA16DE Head Gasket Failure

Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.petrol1990–2001Engine
CommonEngine $980–$1,960 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The GA16DE is sensitive to overheating and the head gasket fails between adjacent cylinders or at the water jacket. A blown gasket here typically presents as inter-cylinder combustion gas contamination of the cooling system (bubbling, sweet exhaust smell) before external leakage is visible. Head resurfacing is mandatory; re-torquing the original gasket is not a valid repair.

A removed multi-layer steel head gasket held up, showing staining around the cylinder bore.Example of the part — not this vehicle

A used multi-layer head gasket. Discolouration between a cylinder and a water gallery is the tell.

John Furman · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Engine overheating under load
  • Fault codes or irregular readings when scanned

What to check

  1. Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.
  2. Inspect coolant condition and level.

Parts involved: Head gasket.

09N15 Rear Wheel Bearing Failure

Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.diesel1995–2000Engine
CommonEngine $350–$700 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The pressed-in rear wheel bearings on the N15 wear out from mid-life onward, producing a cyclic droning noise that changes pitch with speed and load. The bearing is integral to the hub on most variants and requires a hub press to replace. Bearings deteriorate faster in vehicles used frequently on wet NZ roads. Failure at an advanced stage affects ABS sensor accuracy.

Symptoms to notice

  • Evidence of engine wear or deterioration
  • Warning light or abnormal behaviour noted during operation

What to check

  1. Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.
  2. Inspect coolant condition and level.

Parts involved: Wheel bearing.

10GA14DE / GA16DE Thermostat Housing Crack

Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.petrol1990–2001Engine
CommonEngine $245–$490 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The plastic thermostat housing on GA-series engines develops hairline cracks at the coolant outlet flange, producing a slow coolant weep that worsens as the engine cycles through heat. The crack is often hidden by accumulated grime. Failure to replace the housing leads to coolant loss and overheating. Aluminium aftermarket housings are available and preferred.

An annotated photograph of an automotive engine thermostat identifying the wax capsule and both disc valves.Example of the part — not this vehicle

A double-valve engine thermostat, labelled: the wax capsule is what sticks.

Dougsim · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Engine overheating under load
  • Coolant loss or steam from engine bay

What to check

  1. Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.
  2. Inspect coolant condition and level.

Parts involved: Thermostat.

11MRA8DE 1.8 stalls or hesitates when pulling away or coming to a stop (B17 sedan, ECM reflash and PCV valve bulletins)

petrol2013–2015Engine
OccasionalEngine $100–$450 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

Early B17 sedans with the 1.8 MRA8DE engine have a documented habit of the revs dipping, hesitating or the engine cutting out at very low speed: as the car rolls to a stop, when shifting into Drive or Reverse, or when pulling away from a standstill. Nissan's bulletin NTB13-001 fixed early 2013 CVT and manual cars with new engine and gearbox software, a later service campaign (NTB13-022) re-flashed about 31,000 2013 cars for cold-idle behaviour, and NTB16-086 (August 2016) covers 2013-2015 cars that stall or hesitate pulling away in hot weather, replacing an early orange PCV valve with a revised black one on 2013 and 2014 cars as well as re-flashing the ECM. These are US bulletins and NZ and Australian calibrations can differ, so the question is whether a Nissan dealer has checked for updated software. The engine always restarts, but a stall in an intersection or on a roundabout is a real hazard.

Symptoms to notice

  • Rev needle dips sharply or the engine cuts out as the car rolls to a stop
  • Hesitation or a flat spot pulling away from a standstill, worse on hot days
  • Engine stalls when shifting into Drive or Reverse
  • Rough or hunting idle on a cold morning

What to check

Ask the seller not to start the car before you arrive, then start it cold and watch the rev needle at idle for a couple of minutes, with and without the air conditioning on: it should settle and hold steady rather than dip and hunt. On the test drive do at least six full stops, braking gently to a standstill each time and watching whether the revs dip hard or the engine cuts out. From each stop pull away briskly and feel for a pause or stumble before the car picks up. On a CVT car shift from Park to Reverse to Drive with your foot on the brake and watch the revs; on a manual, let the clutch out gently from rest a few times. Ask whether the car has ever stalled on its own and whether a Nissan dealer has done any engine software updates. If a workshop inspection is possible: have a Nissan dealer check the ECM software level against current updates, read any stored codes, and confirm the PCV valve on a 2013 or 2014 car is the revised black part rather than the early orange one described in NTB16-086.

Where to look: Engine control unit software and the PCV valve on the MRA8DE engine's rocker cover

Parts involved: PCV / oil separator.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the engine ever stalled or hesitated when pulling away or coming to a stop?”
  • “Has a Nissan dealer ever updated the engine or gearbox software?”
  • “Is it worse on hot days or cold mornings?”

12EVAP canister vent hose lets water in - check engine light with code P0448 (B17 sedan MRA8DE)

Turn the ignition on without starting and check that the orange check engine light comes on for a moment, then goes out once the engine runs.petrol2013–2018Engine
OccasionalEngine $150–$1,200 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The evaporative emissions (EVAP) system on the B17 sedan vents the charcoal canister through a hose that ends in a small drain behind the right-hand rear bumper. Road spray and standing water can get up that hose into the canister filter, the canister and the vent control valve, which then sticks and turns on the check engine light with code P0448. Nissan bulletin NTB14-044 (latest revision February 2019) covers all 2013-2018 B17 Sentras: the fix is a redesigned hose with the old drain discarded, and if water has already reached the canister, the canister, filter, vent control valve and EVAP pressure sensor are all replaced. It does not stop the car, but a warning light that keeps returning can hide other faults and a waterlogged canister can make refuelling difficult.

Symptoms to notice

  • Check engine light on, often returning a few days after being cleared
  • Fuel pump nozzle clicking off early or the tank slow to fill
  • Faint petrol smell around the rear of the car

What to check

  1. Turn the ignition on without starting and check that the orange check engine light comes on for a moment, then goes out once the engine runs; a light that stays on, or one that never lights at all, needs explaining.
  2. Ask whether the light has been on recently or been cleared before the sale, since a freshly cleared light can take several days of driving to return.
  3. Crouch at the right rear corner and use your phone torch under the bumper edge to look for heavy mud packing or a damaged hose end, and ask whether the car has been driven through floods or deep fords.
  4. Ask whether it is hard to fill with petrol.
  5. If a workshop inspection is possible: have the codes read for P0448 or other EVAP codes, check whether the readiness monitors show the codes were recently cleared, and ask whether the NTB14-044 hose update has been fitted.

Where to look: EVAP canister hose and drain behind the right-hand rear bumper, canister and vent control valve near the fuel tank

Ask the seller

  • “Has the check engine light been on, and has anyone cleared it recently?”
  • “Has the EVAP canister or vent valve ever been replaced?”
  • “Is the car hard to fill with petrol?”

13Dirty throttle body / idle air control valve - rough idle (N16)

Let the car idle for five minutes with A/C on - watch the tacho for hunting and feel for shudder.petrol2000–2005Engine
CommonEngine $150–$600 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

N16 Pulsars commonly develop shuddering, hunting or stalling idle from carbon buildup in the throttle body and idle air control valve. It is a cheap clean-up job, but sellers often trade the car on instead of fixing it, and an untreated case can stall in traffic. After cleaning, the idle needs a relearn procedure to settle. Combined with an ageing crank angle sensor, this makes 'idles rough and sometimes stalls' the standard tired-N16 complaint.

Symptoms to notice

  • Idle hunting up and down
  • Shudder or vibration at idle
  • Stalling when coming to a stop with A/C on
  • High idle that won't settle

What to check

Let the car idle for five minutes with A/C on - watch the tacho for hunting and feel for shudder. Blip the throttle and check the idle returns cleanly to ~700 rpm without dipping or stalling.

Where to look: Throttle body and idle air control valve on the intake manifold

Ask the seller

  • “Has the throttle body/IACV ever been cleaned?”
  • “Does it ever stall at idle?”

14GA-Series Idle Air Control Valve Carbon Fouling

Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.petrol1990–2001Engine
CommonEngine $175–$350 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The idle air control valve (IACV) on GA14DE and GA16DE engines accumulates carbon deposits from blow-by gases, causing erratic idle, stalling at traffic lights, and rough cold starts. The valve is serviceable with carburettor cleaner but often needs full replacement on high-mileage engines. A dirty throttle body is usually present at the same time and should be cleaned simultaneously.

Symptoms to notice

  • Difficult cold start or unstable idle
  • Fault codes or irregular readings when scanned

What to check

  1. Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.
  2. Inspect coolant condition and level.
Electrical5

01Takata passenger airbag inflator — can throw metal fragments into the cabin (safety recall)

N16 Pulsars built from about April 2001 onwards are caught by the Takata airbag recall.2001–2005Electrical
OccasionalElectrical $0–$800 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

N16 Pulsars built from about April 2001 onwards are caught by the Takata airbag recall. The propellant wafers in the passenger airbag inflator were made to the wrong density, so with age and humidity the inflator can burn too fast, burst its metal housing and fire fragments at whoever is sitting there when it goes off. Nissan issued the first recall in April 2013 and widened it in June 2014 and twice more in June 2015 as further build ranges were caught up. A car this old has usually changed hands several times, and plenty were never presented for the free fix. An unrepaired Takata inflator is worse than having no airbag at all, and New Zealand's humid climate is exactly the condition that makes them degrade.

Symptoms to notice

  • Usually nothing at all — the inflator looks and behaves normally right up until it fires
  • Airbag warning light staying on, flickering, or never lighting at all
  • No recall stamp, letter or paperwork anywhere in the service history

What to check

  1. Ask the seller for the VIN before you travel and run it through the Australian or New Zealand Takata airbag check, or ring a Nissan dealer — two minutes on the phone is the only reliable way to know.
  2. Turn the key to the on position without starting the engine and watch the airbag light: it should glow for a few seconds and then go out, and a light that stays on, or never appears at all, is a problem in its own right.
  3. Ask to see the service book and any letters from Nissan, and look for a recall or campaign stamp.
  4. Look across the top of the passenger dashboard for signs the panel has been out and refitted, such as mismatched gaps, scuffing around the seams or a lifted edge.

Where to look: Passenger airbag module in the top of the dashboard on the front passenger side

Ask the seller

  • “Has the Takata airbag recall been completed on this car, and can I see the paperwork?”
  • “Has the airbag warning light ever come on?”
  • “Can you give me the VIN so I can check the recall myself?”

02Crank position sensor solder joints break down with heat — engine cuts out without warning

This fault only shows itself hot, so a proper test drive of fifteen to twenty minutes matters far more here than a lap of the block.petrol2000–2006ElectricalRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

03Side curtain airbag B-pillar satellite sensor may be fitted incorrectly (B17 Pulsar sedan, October 2013 recall)

2013Electrical
RareElectrical $0–$400 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

On some early B17 Pulsar sedans the crash sensor for the side curtain airbag, which sits inside the B-pillar between the front and rear doors, was not installed correctly at the factory. Nissan Australia recalled the cars in October 2013 (PRA 2013/13810) because in a side impact the curtain airbag may not deploy as designed, leaving occupants' heads less protected. The same campaign covered C12 Pulsar hatches and N17 Almeras, about 15,900 cars in total, and the dealer fix was an inspection and re-fit of about 30 minutes, free of charge. The recall has no expiry, so an outstanding car can still be done at a Nissan dealer, but ex-Australian imports and cars that have changed hands several times are the ones most likely to have missed the letter.

Symptoms to notice

  • Usually no symptom at all until a side impact
  • Airbag warning light may stay on after start-up if the sensor connection is disturbed
  • B-pillar trim that looks as if it has been off and refitted

What to check

  1. Ask the seller for the VIN before you travel and ring a Nissan dealer to ask whether the October 2013 curtain airbag sensor recall applies to this car and was completed.
  2. Turn the ignition on without starting and watch the airbag warning light: it should glow for a few seconds and then go out, and a light that stays on or never shows at all needs explaining.
  3. Open both front doors and look at the plastic trim on the B-pillar, the post between the front and rear doors, for lifted edges, broken clips or scuffing that suggests it has been off.
  4. Ask to see the service book and any Nissan letters for a recall stamp.
  5. If a workshop inspection is possible: ask a Nissan dealer to run the VIN through their recall system and to print the completed campaign record.

Where to look: Inside the B-pillar on each side, behind the interior trim between the front and rear doors

Ask the seller

  • “Has the October 2013 curtain airbag sensor recall been done, and do you have the paperwork?”
  • “Has the car been imported from Australia or had several owners?”
  • “Has the airbag warning light ever stayed on?”

04Push-button start switch sticks in — engine may not shut off (2015 recall)

Press the start button and watch it — it should spring straight back out flush with the surrounding trim every single time.2013–2015Electrical
RareElectrical $0–$350 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

In June 2015 Nissan Australia recalled a batch of C12 Pulsar hatches because the push-button engine start switch could jam in the pressed position from excessive internal friction instead of springing back after the engine fired. A start button that does not return can leave the driver unable to stop the engine when they want to, including in an emergency. The affected VIN range is again a narrow early-build one, MNTFCAC12A0000574 to MNTFCAC12A0003025, and the fix is a replacement switch at no cost. It is one of the few faults on this list you can test completely, for free, standing at the car.

Symptoms to notice

  • Start button stays pressed in rather than popping back out
  • Engine keeps running after you press the button to stop it
  • Button feels gritty, sticky or slow to return
  • Having to press several times before anything happens

What to check

Press the start button and watch it — it should spring straight back out flush with the surrounding trim every single time. Do it repeatedly: start the engine, stop it, start it again, and check that the button returns cleanly on each press rather than sitting proud or sunken. If it feels gritty, slow or hesitant coming back, that is the fault itself and not just a worn trim piece. Ask the seller for the VIN and check whether the June 2015 start switch recall applies to this car and was carried out.

Where to look: Engine start and stop button on the dashboard, to the right of the steering column

Ask the seller

  • “Has the start button recall been done on this car?”
  • “Has the button ever stuck, or the engine refused to switch off?”
  • “Can I see the service book with any recall stamps?”

05Wrong-specification stop lamp switch on CVT cars — brake lights and shift interlock (2013 recall)

Nissan Australia recalled Pulsars in October 2013 after the wrong specification stop lamp switch was fitted to some cars with the CVT automatic.2012–2015Electrical
RareElectrical $0–$300 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

Nissan Australia recalled Pulsars in October 2013 after the wrong specification stop lamp switch was fitted to some cars with the CVT automatic. The stop lamp switch does two jobs: it turns on the brake lights, and it tells the gearbox that your foot is on the brake before it will let you move out of Park. An out-of-spec switch can therefore mean brake lights that do not come on when you brake, a car that will not shift out of Park, or a car that will. Brake lights that do not work will also fail a New Zealand warrant of fitness. The recall listing on the Australian register covers the B17 and C12 Pulsar alongside the Juke and Micra, which fits a shared switch part across those models.

Symptoms to notice

  • Brake lights not coming on, or staying on with your foot off the pedal
  • Car will not shift out of Park with the brake pressed
  • Cruise control that will not engage or will not cancel on the brake
  • Brake light warning or a dash message

What to check

Get the seller to sit in the car and press the brake pedal while you stand behind it, and watch that both brake lights and the high-level light come on together and go out cleanly when the pedal is released. Then swap over and do it again yourself so you know the pedal feel and the lights match. In the driver's seat with the engine running, try shifting out of Park with your foot off the brake — it should refuse — and then with your foot on it, where it should move. Ask the seller for the VIN and check whether the October 2013 stop lamp switch recall was completed on this car.

Where to look: Stop lamp switch on the brake pedal bracket, up under the dashboard on the driver's side

Ask the seller

  • “Has the stop lamp switch recall been done on this car?”
  • “Have the brake lights or the gear selector ever played up?”
  • “Has it ever failed a warrant of fitness on brake lights?”
Body, brakes, suspension & interior2

01N14 / N15 Front Strut Top Mount Collapse

Check all bushes and ball joints for play.diesel1990–2001Suspension
CommonSuspension $315–$630 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The upper strut bearing and mounting plate degrades, producing a sharp clunk over speed bumps and a grinding noise when turning on full lock. Failed top mounts alter front camber and steering feedback. Both sides typically need replacement simultaneously. Aftermarket mounts of adequate quality are readily available in the NZ/AU market.

Symptoms to notice

  • Clunking over bumps or during cornering
  • Fault codes or irregular readings when scanned

What to check

  1. Check all bushes and ball joints for play.
  2. Look for oil leaks on shock absorbers.
  3. Measure tyre wear pattern across the tread.

Parts involved: Shock absorber / strut.

02Front strut top clunk or pop when turning the steering wheel (B17 sedan, NTB14-088 spacer fix)

2013–2015Suspension
OccasionalSuspension $300–$850 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

Early B17 sedans can make a clunk, pop or bump from the top of one or both front struts when the steering wheel is turned, most noticeably at parking speeds or when stationary. The coil spring shifts against the strut mount bearing as the strut rotates, and Nissan bulletin NTB14-088B (April 2015, covering 2013-2015 Sentra as well as Leaf, NV200 and 2013 Juke) fixes it by fitting a spacer (part 54034-4MA0A) between the spring and the upper mount bearing on both sides, with new strut and stabiliser nuts. It is not dangerous on its own, but it is easily confused with worn top mount bearings, drop links or a failing steering column joint, so the noise should be diagnosed rather than assumed.

Symptoms to notice

  • Clunk, pop or bump from the top of a front strut when turning the wheel at walking pace
  • Noise when turning the wheel while stationary
  • Knock felt through the steering wheel on full-lock manoeuvres

What to check

With the engine running and the car stationary, open the driver's window and turn the steering slowly from full left lock to full right lock and back, listening for a clunk or pop from either front corner. Ask the seller to repeat that while you stand beside each front wheel, and with the bonnet open rest your hand lightly on top of each strut tower, the round bolted dome at the back of each side of the engine bay, to feel for a pop. On the test drive, do a slow full-lock turn in a car park in each direction and drive slowly over a speed bump. Ask whether any suspension noise has been looked at and whether the front struts or top mounts have been replaced. If a workshop inspection is possible: have the front struts, top mount bearings and stabiliser links checked on a hoist, and ask whether the NTB14-088 spacers are already fitted.

Where to look: Top of both front strut assemblies, between the coil spring and the upper strut mount bearing under the strut towers

Parts involved: Shock absorber / strut.

Ask the seller

  • “Does it clunk or pop when you turn the steering at low speed?”
  • “Have the front struts or top mounts ever been replaced or had spacers fitted?”

Nissan Pulsar faults in detail

Each of these has its own page: the symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller and what the repair costs. Free, no account needed.

Crank position sensor solder joints break down with heat — engine cuts out without warningCritical · ElectricalCVT shudder, belt slip and failure (B17 sedan / C12 hatch)Critical · TransmissionHR16DE Timing Chain Stretch and Tensioner WearMajor · EngineQG18DE Timing Chain Tensioner Wear and RattleMajor · EngineRE0F10B/JF015E CVT Judder and Belt Slip Under LoadMajor · Transmission

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Nissan Pulsar’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

Other Nissan models

Nissan Patrol48 documented faultsNissan Navara45 documented faultsNissan X-Trail45 documented faultsNissan Teana20 documented faultsNissan Tiida20 documented faultsNissan Sylphy18 documented faults

Nissan Pulsar buyer questions

Is the Nissan Pulsar reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 21 documented faults for the Nissan Pulsar, the recurring problem areas are transmission, electrical, and engine. A Nissan Pulsar with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.

What are the most common problems with a used Nissan Pulsar?

We've catalogued 21 known faults for the Nissan Pulsar, covering transmission, electrical, and engine. All 21 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Nissan Pulsar?

Most single repairs on the Nissan Pulsar fall between $245–$700 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 21 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.

Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Nissan Pulsar?

Yes. A Nissan Pulsar inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.