VehicleVerdict

1988 Honda Accord problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 1988 Honda Accord is among the quieter years of the Accord on NHTSA's books: 102 complaints (79% below the model's median year), 2 recalls, and no open investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 22 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Seat Belts leads the complaint categories with 32 reports (31% of the total).

102

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

17

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

22

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1988 compare to other Accord years?

Accord NHTSA complaints by model year, 1988 highlighted2,803 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 3 complaints1980: 2 complaints1981: 8 complaints1982: 26 complaints1983: 7 complaints1984: 25 complaints1985: 19 complaints1986: 63 complaints1987: 131 complaints1988: 102 complaints1989: 114 complaints1990: 229 complaints1991: 242 complaints1992: 249 complaints1993: 222 complaints1994: 476 complaints1995: 673 complaints1996: 579 complaints1997: 546 complaints1998: 1,429 complaints1999: 1,345 complaints2000: 1,506 complaints2001: 1,160 complaints2002: 1,267 complaints2003: 2,384 complaints2004: 1,307 complaints2005: 880 complaints2006: 541 complaints2007: 700 complaints2008: 1,854 complaints2009: 858 complaints2010: 703 complaints2011: 357 complaints2012: 506 complaints2013: 1,882 complaints2014: 1,428 complaints2015: 815 complaints2016: 812 complaints2017: 754 complaints2018: 2,803 complaints2019: 1,027 complaints2020: 533 complaints2021: 314 complaints2022: 339 complaints2023: 139 complaints2024: 200 complaints2025: 105 complaints2026: 3 complaints
Accord NHTSA complaints by model year, 1988 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Accord years to avoid →

What are the most common 1988 Honda Accord problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts3231%
Speed Control1212%
Transmission1111%
Engine99%
Tires & Wheels66%
Fuel System44%
Electrical System44%
Steering33%
Suspension33%
Lighting33%
Other33%
Body & Structure33%
Brakes22%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)22%
Latches & Locks22%
Seats22%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 1988 Honda Accord have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

95V103001Seat BeltsMay 24, 1995 · 3,700,000 units

Defect

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.

Consequence

THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES. CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. CHECK THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUG ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, THEN PRESS THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS ANY SIGN OF BREAKAGE OR CRACKING, OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, PROMPTLY CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED HONDA/ACURA DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.

87V171000OtherOctober 29, 1987 · 99,088 units

Defect

OWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, SECTIONS 6A AND 6B WAS OMITTED FROM THE MANUAL.

Consequence

VEHICLES MANUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS210.

Remedy

UPGRADE EXISTING MANUALS BY INSERTING ADHESIVE BACKED CORRECTION PAGES.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, OWNER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, DRIVER WHO HAD ON SEAT BELT AT THE TIME, WAS EJECTED OUT OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE SUNROOF, SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN, DRIVER DIED.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · August 2, 1996 · crash

“SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE, ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, VEHICLE TOOK OFF AT HIGH SPEED, WITNESS SAID IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, VEHICLE HIT POLE BEFORE STOPPING. VEHICLE TOTALED.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 11, 1996 · crash

“THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO OVER HEAT DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE REPLACED THE RADIATOR, RADIATOR HOSE, AND BACK UP FOR THE RADIATOR. ALSO THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT COME UNDONE ONCE SOMEONE HAS LOCKED THEMSELF IN. WE HAVE TO TAKE A SCREW DRIVER TO GET THE LOCK OUT. THE CAR HAS A HARD TIME SHIFTING GEARS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 15, 2002

“THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO OVER HEAT DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE REPLACED THE RADIATOR, RADIATOR HOSE, AND BACK UP FOR THE RADIATOR. ALSO THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT COME UNDONE ONCE SOMEONE HAS LOCKED THEMSELF IN. WE HAVE TO TAKE A SCREW DRIVER TO GET THE LOCK OUT. THE CAR HAS A HARD TIME SHIFTING GEARS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 15, 2002

“I HAD TWO TIRE BLOWOUTS WITHIN 3 WEEKS,THE TIRE VALVE STEMS ON BOTH TIRES WERE SEVERLY SUN CRACKED,I HEARD ABOUT THE DILL COMPANY'S RECALL ON VALVE STEMS MADE IN 2006 BOTH MY STEMS WERE MADE IN 2005 MODEL #TR 418,I THINK THEY NEED TO EXPAND THIS RECALL DRASTICALLY BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE GETS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · December 22, 2008

1988 Honda Accord — common questions

Is the 1988 Honda Accord reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 102 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Accord year, with 2 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1988 Accord problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (32 complaints), speed control (12 complaints), transmission (11 complaints).

Does the 1988 Honda Accord have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1988 Honda Accord. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1988 Honda Accord under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Honda Accord years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Accord years to avoid are 2018, 2003, 2013, 2008, 2000, 1998, 2014, 1999, 2004, 2002, 2001, 2019, 2005, 2009, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2007, 2006, 2020, 2022, 2021. The cleanest record among Accord years belongs to 1978.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.