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1988 Honda Accord

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1988 Honda Accord do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 356.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 6 of 88 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Seat Belts. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports1 fire reports15 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

8 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSeat Belts

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 AND WHEN IT DOES IT SLAMS INTO…

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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 AND WHEN IT DOES IT SLAMS INTO GEAR OR WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR.

NHTSA ODI #10069893

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK AT FULL THROTTLE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS STICKING DUE TO THE NUMBER 3 AND 4 PISTONS HITTING THE HEAD. ALSO, CONSUMER STATES ENGINE PROBLEMS STARTED AFTER THE THROTTLE STUCK AND THE TIMING BELT JUMPED A COUPLE NOTCHES. *YD

NHTSA ODI #8005219

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

HORN FAILED. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #550645

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling

LOSS OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION.

NHTSA ODI #780983

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

CAR CONTINUOUSLY FAILS EMISSION INSPECTION DUE TO SMOG DIAGNOSTIC TEST FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #603468

Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

EMISSIONS SYSTEM FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #520429

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 1995
Engine And Engine Cooling

RUSTY OIL PAN REPLACED DUE TO EXHAUST PIPE RUNNING CLOSE TO THE PAN. *SD

NHTSA ODI #483743

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 1995
Engine And Engine Cooling

FREEZE PLUG LEAKS. *AW

NHTSA ODI #489708

Official recalls

2

95V103001 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

May 24, 1995

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 & remedy

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.

87V171000 · Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual

Oct 29, 1987

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

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: VEHICLES MANUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS210.

Remedy: UPGRADE EXISTING MANUALS BY INSERTING ADHESIVE BACKED CORRECTION PAGES.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA94035 · Seat Belt Buckle Failure

Opened Oct 27, 1994 · Closed Jul 31, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

There is no summary currently available

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