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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.

About this comparison →

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

Seat Belts complaints

31 reports
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200,000 miles · Jan 29, 2018
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (HONDA OF THOUSAND OAKS, 3925 AUTO MALL DR, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91362) AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE BECAUSE OF THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DIAGNOSE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (HONDA OF THOUSAND OAKS, 3925 AUTO MALL DR, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91362) AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE BECAUSE OF THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI #11065628

206,000 miles · Dec 23, 2017
Seat Belts

THIS IS MY 2ND COMPLAINT FOR THE SAME ISSUE...MY FIRST ONE NEVER GOT A RESPONSE AND IT HAS BEEN MONTHS SINCE I SENT IT. PLEASE RESPOND WITH HELP FOR THIS. I WAS REALLY HOPING TO AVOID A LOCAL NEWS STORY FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT I WILL GIVE THIS ONE LAST CHANCE BEFORE I GO THAT ROUTE. MY 1988 HONDA ACCORD LXI HATCHBACK HAS AN ISS…

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THIS IS MY 2ND COMPLAINT FOR THE SAME ISSUE...MY FIRST ONE NEVER GOT A RESPONSE AND IT HAS BEEN MONTHS SINCE I SENT IT. PLEASE RESPOND WITH HELP FOR THIS. I WAS REALLY HOPING TO AVOID A LOCAL NEWS STORY FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT I WILL GIVE THIS ONE LAST CHANCE BEFORE I GO THAT ROUTE. MY 1988 HONDA ACCORD LXI HATCHBACK HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE ONE ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. NOW THE ONE IN THE FRONT/PASSENGER SIDE HAS FAILED AND THE SEAT BELT IS HANGING ALL OF THE WAY OUT OF THE DOOR. THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER IS MORE INTERESTED IN SELLING NEW CARS THAN TAKING CARE OF OLD ONES THAT ARE STILL OUT THERE AND RUNNING. THE SEAT BELTS ARE WARRANTEED FOR THE LIFE OT FHE CAR. THE DEALER KEEPS BRUSHING ME OFF AND I AM SICK OF IT. I CAN'T HAVE ANY PASSENGERS IN THE FRONT OF MY CAR BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THEY CAN'T GET THE SEAT BELTS ANYWHERE. THAT IS STRANGE OF THEM TO SAY THAT BECAUSE I WENT ON LINE AND HAVE FOUND THEM FOR AROUND $100 EACH. THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE, SO I AM REACHING OUT TO SOMEONE THAT CAN RESOLVE THIS. PLEASE HELP!!! 2 PICTURES ARE INCLUDED WITH THIS COMPLAINT.

NHTSA ODI #11056238

200,000 miles · Sep 22, 2017
Seat Belts

MY 1988 ACCORD HATCHBACK IS HAVING SEATBELT RETRACTOR ISSUES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE ONE A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK. (DIFFERENT COLOR, BUT THAT IS OK). I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE RETRACTOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE SEATBELT COMES ALL THE WAY OUT OF THE DOOR AND WILL NOT RETRACT. THE SEAT BELTS ARE SUPPOS…

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MY 1988 ACCORD HATCHBACK IS HAVING SEATBELT RETRACTOR ISSUES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE ONE A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK. (DIFFERENT COLOR, BUT THAT IS OK). I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE RETRACTOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE SEATBELT COMES ALL THE WAY OUT OF THE DOOR AND WILL NOT RETRACT. THE SEAT BELTS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE GUARANTEED FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER A FEW TIMES AND THEY SAID THEY CAN'T HELP ME...GAVE ME A PHONE # TO HONDA AMERICA TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO. THAT IS A DEAD END TOO. I'M FILING THIS COMPLAINT AS A LAST STITCH EFFORT TO GET SOME HELP WITH THIS ISSUE. I DRIVE MY CAR ON A DAILY BASIS AND A LOT OF TIMES I HAVE A FRONT PASSENGER WHO IS USING A FAILED SAFETY BELT!!! IF THERE IS A CRASH AND MY PASSENGER DIES BECAUSE OF THE FAILED PART, THERE IS GOING TO BE ONE HEFTY LAWSUIT AGAINST HONDA! I DON'T WANT IT TO GET TO THAT POINT, SO I AM HOPING THAT FILING THIS COMPLAINT WILL TAKE IT TO ANOTHER LEVEL. PICTURES ARE ATTACHED (2). ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED. THANK YOU!

NHTSA ODI #11025034

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 · May 23, 2003
Seat Belts

THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LAP/SHOULDER BELTS DO NOT RETRACT WHEN BUCKLED THEN RELEASED. DURING AN ABRUPT STOP THE BELT DID NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE PASSENGER. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10020483

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2000
Seat Belts

I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE FOR 4 YEARS. I GOT THIS PROBLEM A COUPLE MONTHS A GO. WHEN DRIVING THE BEEPING OF THE FRONT DOOR AND SEATBELT GOES OFF ALL THE TIME. THE HONDA WORLD DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE RECALLED SEATBELT HAS BEEN FIXED. THEY BLAMED THIS IS THE DOOR PROBLEM. IT COSTS TOO MUCH TO FIX AND NOW I'M SCARED TO DRI…

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I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE FOR 4 YEARS. I GOT THIS PROBLEM A COUPLE MONTHS A GO. WHEN DRIVING THE BEEPING OF THE FRONT DOOR AND SEATBELT GOES OFF ALL THE TIME. THE HONDA WORLD DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE RECALLED SEATBELT HAS BEEN FIXED. THEY BLAMED THIS IS THE DOOR PROBLEM. IT COSTS TOO MUCH TO FIX AND NOW I'M SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR SINCE I DON'T KNOW THE DOOR OR THE SEATBELT WILL FALL OFF. THE BEEPING GOES OFF EVERY MINUTE AND DRIVING ME CRAZY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #726076

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 1999
Seat Belts

SEAT BELT FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #546647

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 1999
Seat Belts

I WOULD LIKE TO GET THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINT FIXED. HONDA HAD A RECALL ON ALL SEAT BELTS MANUFACTURED. I RECEIVED A RECALL CARD, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ACT DUE TO FACT I WAS OVERSEAS. THE CARD WAS MISPLACED. MY SEAT BELTS ARE NOT RETRACTING. I ONLY WANT A DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. THANK FOR YOU CONSIDERATION TO THIS MATTER. *…

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I WOULD LIKE TO GET THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINT FIXED. HONDA HAD A RECALL ON ALL SEAT BELTS MANUFACTURED. I RECEIVED A RECALL CARD, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ACT DUE TO FACT I WAS OVERSEAS. THE CARD WAS MISPLACED. MY SEAT BELTS ARE NOT RETRACTING. I ONLY WANT A DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. THANK FOR YOU CONSIDERATION TO THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #702606

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 1997
Seat Belts

RECALL 95V-103001, DEALER HAS NOT COME UP WITH THE PARTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #815415

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 1997
Seat Belts

SEAT BELT BUCKLE RECALL REPAIR NOT DONE BECAUSE PARTS HAVE NOT YET FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #518516

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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