1988 Honda Civic problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1988 Honda Civic is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 8 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 51 owner complaints run below the Civic median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

Speed Control leads the complaint categories with 14 reports (28% of the total).

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1988 compare to other Civic years?

Civic NHTSA complaints by model year, 1988 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Civic years to avoid →

What are the most common 1988 Honda Civic problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Speed Control	14	27%	▲ up
Seat Belts	10	20%	▼ down
Electrical System	7	14%	▲ up
Fuel System	7	14%	▲ up
Engine	4	8%	▲ up
Seats	3	6%	▲ up
Body & Structure	2	4%	— flat
Latches & Locks	1	2%	— flat
Other	1	2%	— flat
Suspension	1	2%	▼ down
Transmission	1	2%	▼ down

Does the 1988 Honda Civic have recalls?

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

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

06E032000LightingApril 18, 2006 · 845 units

Defect

CERTAIN EAGLE EYES AND SONAR HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON 1988-2005 HONDA CIVIC, 1990-2005 HONDA ACCORD, AND 1990-2001 ACURA INTEGRA PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

TOM MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF NONCOMPLIANT LIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN APRIL 17, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOM MOTORSPORT AT 626-968-4007.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

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.

87V173000Speed ControlNovember 13, 1987 · 4,514 units

Defect

ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION CONTROL UNIT MAY CAUSE IDLE SPEED TO INCREASE BY ABOUT 550 RPM WHILE CAR IS STOPPED IN GEAR.

Consequence

HIGHER THAN NORMAL IDLE COULD CREATE POTENTIAL FOR LOSSOF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy

REPLACE ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION CONTROL UNIT.

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.

“AUTO-TRAN:SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE, LIGHTLY TOUCHED GAS PEDAL; ENGINE ACCELERATED; LURCHED BACKWARDS; HIT TWO VEHICLES IN PARKING LOT. TT”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 2, 1995 · crash

“CONSUMER WAS IN TWO DIFFERENT ACCIDENTS AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR LOCKED UP AND SNAPPED HER CHEST . *AK VEHICLE WAS HIT ON RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, WHILE COMING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, ALSO ON ANOTHER OCCASION A CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER AND CONSUMER HIT VEHICLE FROM THE REAR, AND…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · September 1, 1992 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE, OPENED HOOD; FIRE WAS IN AREA OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER; CAUSED BY FAULTY IGNITER, DUMPED FUEL DOWN EXHAUST SYSTEM. . TT”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 6, 1995 · fire

“WHILE TRAVELING FOR SEVERAL YEARS ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD STAY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL INTERMITTENT. CONSUMER REPLACED COMPURTER BOARD, INDICATOR LIGHT WENT OFF, VEHICLE STILL HAS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System

“WHILE TRAVELING FOR SEVERAL YEARS ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD STAY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL INTERMITTENT. CONSUMER REPLACED COMPURTER BOARD, INDICATOR LIGHT WENT OFF, VEHICLE STILL HAS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

1988 Honda Civic — common questions

Is the 1988 Honda Civic reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 51 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Civic year, with 8 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1988 Civic problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (14 complaints), seat belts (10 complaints), fuel system (7 complaints).

Does the 1988 Honda Civic have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 1988 Honda Civic. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1988 Honda Civic under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Honda Civic years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Civic years to avoid are 2006, 2007, 2001, 2016, 2022, 2008, 2002, 2018, 2017, 2012, 2003, 2019, 1998, 2009, 2010, 2015, 1997, 2013, 2004, 1999, 2005, 2014, 1996. The cleanest record among Civic years belongs to 1980.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1988 compare to other Civic years?

What are the most common 1988 Honda Civic problems?

Does the 1988 Honda Civic have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1988 Honda Civic — common questions

Is the 1988 Honda Civic reliable?

What are the most common 1988 Civic problems?

Does the 1988 Honda Civic have recalls?

Is the 1988 Honda Civic under NHTSA investigation?

Which Honda Civic years should you avoid?

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