MYRModel Year Report

1988 Honda Accord

▲ Better than typical
1988 Honda Accord
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:38:25.689Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Honda Accord Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1988 highlighted. 1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 7 complaints 1982: 10 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 22 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 54 complaints 1986 1987: 111 complaints 1988: 88 complaints 1988 1989: 86 complaints 1990: 192 complaints 1991: 212 complaints 1992: 206 complaints 1992 1993: 186 complaints 1994: 369 complaints 1995: 543 complaints 1996: 472 complaints 1997: 460 complaints 1998: 1200 complaints 1998 1999: 1135 complaints 2000: 1183 complaints 2001: 920 complaints 2002: 1050 complaints 2003: 1987 complaints 2004: 1016 complaints 2004 2005: 656 complaints 2006: 430 complaints 2007: 524 complaints 2008: 1520 complaints 2009: 720 complaints 2010: 579 complaints 2010 2011: 295 complaints 2012: 371 complaints 2013: 1417 complaints 2014: 969 complaints 2015: 593 complaints 2016: 588 complaints 2016 2017: 525 complaints 2018: 1791 complaints 2019: 644 complaints 2020: 334 complaints 2021: 210 complaints 2022: 213 complaints 2022 2023: 79 complaints 2024: 130 complaints 2025: 71 complaints 2026: 4 complaints 2026
1988: 88 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19817
198210
19837
198422
198513
198654
1987111
198888
198986
1990192
1991212
1992206
1993186
1994369
1995543
1996472
1997460
19981200
19991135
20001183
2001920
20021050
20031987
20041016
2005656
2006430
2007524
20081520
2009720
2010579
2011295
2012371
20131417
2014969
2015593
2016588
2017525
20181791
2019644
2020334
2021210
2022213
202379
2024130
202571
20264

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SEAT BELTS 19%

19% of complaints: seat belts — 17 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9%

9% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 8 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURY.

NHTSA ODI report, 19950209

SEAT BELTS 6%

6% of complaints: seat belts — 5 distinct reports on file.

CRASH DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180129

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 report, 20030523

SEAT BELTS 6%

6% of complaints: seat belts — 5 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171223

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20170922

POWER TRAIN 6%

6% of complaints: power train — 5 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION IT INADVERTENTLY ROLLS BACKWARDS. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20031105

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19871119 — equipment

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

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

Campaign 87V171000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19941027 — EA (closed 19950731)

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

R 19950519 — seat belts

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

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 PRO

Campaign 95V103001 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 Honda Accord — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (17 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 87V171000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 95V103001 (seat belts) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 2025 ▲ 2023

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ■ 2018 ■ 2008

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1988 Honda Accord reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1988 Honda Accord is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Honda Accord?

The most-reported component is seat belts:front:buckle assembly, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1988 Honda Accord have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.