MYRModel Year Report

1988 Honda Accord

▲ Better than typical
1988 Honda Accord
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:46:50.993Z

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
90
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1988

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Seat belts

34% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 7 complaints 1982: 10 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 22 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 56 complaints 1987: 112 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1988 90 1989: 86 complaints 1990: 193 complaints 1991: 212 complaints 1992: 208 complaints 1993: 186 complaints 1994: 395 complaints 1995: 544 complaints 1996: 472 complaints 1997: 460 complaints 1998: 1,200 complaints 1998 1999: 1,135 complaints 2000: 1,183 complaints 2001: 922 complaints 2002: 1,050 complaints 2003: 1,987 complaints 2004: 1,018 complaints 2004 2005: 656 complaints 2006: 433 complaints 2007: 524 complaints 2008: 1,521 complaints 2009: 727 complaints 2010: 580 complaints 2010 2011: 296 complaints 2012: 373 complaints 2013: 1,425 complaints 2014: 982 complaints 2015: 601 complaints 2016: 613 complaints 2016 2017: 538 complaints 2018: 1,894 complaints 2019: 695 complaints 2020: 364 complaints 2021: 242 complaints 2022: 263 complaints 2022 2023: 92 complaints 2024: 154 complaints 2025: 97 complaints 2026: 14 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 7 complaints 1982: 10 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1983 1984: 22 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 56 complaints 1987: 112 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1988 90 1989: 86 complaints 1990: 193 complaints 1991: 212 complaints 1992: 208 complaints 1992 1993: 186 complaints 1994: 395 complaints 1995: 544 complaints 1995 1996: 472 complaints 1997: 460 complaints 1998: 1,200 complaints 1998 1999: 1,135 complaints 2000: 1,183 complaints 2001: 922 complaints 2001 2002: 1,050 complaints 2003: 1,987 complaints 2004: 1,018 complaints 2004 2005: 656 complaints 2006: 433 complaints 2007: 524 complaints 2007 2008: 1,521 complaints 2009: 727 complaints 2010: 580 complaints 2010 2011: 296 complaints 2012: 373 complaints 2013: 1,425 complaints 2013 2014: 982 complaints 2015: 601 complaints 2016: 613 complaints 2016 2017: 538 complaints 2018: 1,894 complaints 2019: 695 complaints 2019 2020: 364 complaints 2021: 242 complaints 2022: 263 complaints 2022 2023: 92 complaints 2024: 154 complaints 2025: 97 complaints 2025 2026: 14 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 7 complaints 1982: 10 complaints 1982 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 22 complaints 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 56 complaints 1986 1987: 112 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1988 90 1989: 86 complaints 1990: 193 complaints 1990 1991: 212 complaints 1992: 208 complaints 1992 1993: 186 complaints 1994: 395 complaints 1994 1995: 544 complaints 1996: 472 complaints 1996 1997: 460 complaints 1998: 1,200 complaints 1998 1999: 1,135 complaints 2000: 1,183 complaints 2000 2001: 922 complaints 2002: 1,050 complaints 2002 2003: 1,987 complaints 2004: 1,018 complaints 2004 2005: 656 complaints 2006: 433 complaints 2006 2007: 524 complaints 2008: 1,521 complaints 2008 2009: 727 complaints 2010: 580 complaints 2010 2011: 296 complaints 2012: 373 complaints 2012 2013: 1,425 complaints 2014: 982 complaints 2014 2015: 601 complaints 2016: 613 complaints 2016 2017: 538 complaints 2018: 1,894 complaints 2018 2019: 695 complaints 2020: 364 complaints 2020 2021: 242 complaints 2022: 263 complaints 2022 2023: 92 complaints 2024: 154 complaints 2024 2025: 97 complaints 2026: 14 complaints 2026

1988: 90 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19817
198210
19837
198422
198513
198656
1987112
198890
198986
1990193
1991212
1992208
1993186
1994395
1995544
1996472
1997460
19981,200
19991,135
20001,183
2001922
20021,050
20031,987
20041,018
2005656
2006433
2007524
20081,521
2009727
2010580
2011296
2012373
20131,425
2014982
2015601
2016613
2017538
20181,894
2019695
2020364
2021242
2022263
202392
2024154
202597
202614

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Seat belts

34% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Car was in accident and the driver's side seat belt didn't restrain, the person was badly injury. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-05-24

Tl* the contact owns a 1988 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the passenger side seat belt retractor was defective.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-29

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, 2017-12-23

Vehicle speed control

13% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and linkages.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle suddenly accelerated, causing loss of control/accident/injury.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-02-09

Power train

12% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

When the vehicle is in park with no key in the ignition it inadvertently rolls backwards.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-11-05

Engine and engine cooling

10% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and exhaust system.

Tires

7% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and pressure monitoring and regulating systems.

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1987-11-19Equipment87V171000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1994-10-27Engineering analysisClosed 1995-07-31 Seat belt buckle failure
  3. R
    1995-05-19Seat belts95V103001 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1988 Honda Accord — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 11 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 87V171000 · Equipment
  • Recall 95V103001 · Seat belts
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1988 Honda Accord have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.