1988 Honda Civic

▲ Better than typical
1988 Honda Civic
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:48:09.611Z

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 Civic Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1988 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 9 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 1986: 35 complaints 1987: 39 complaints 1987 1988: 48 complaints 1988 1989: 69 complaints 1990: 92 complaints 1991: 111 complaints 1992: 100 complaints 1993: 155 complaints 1993 1994: 161 complaints 1995: 199 complaints 1996: 305 complaints 1997: 373 complaints 1998: 435 complaints 1999: 338 complaints 1999 2000: 287 complaints 2001: 1079 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2003: 499 complaints 2004: 350 complaints 2005: 314 complaints 2005 2006: 1402 complaints 2007: 1204 complaints 2008: 916 complaints 2009: 395 complaints 2010: 396 complaints 2011: 168 complaints 2011 2012: 454 complaints 2013: 318 complaints 2014: 291 complaints 2015: 377 complaints 2016: 1079 complaints 2017: 591 complaints 2017 2018: 738 complaints 2019: 425 complaints 2020: 222 complaints 2021: 142 complaints 2022: 881 complaints 2023: 252 complaints 2023 2024: 122 complaints 2025: 70 complaints 2026: 28 complaints 2026
1988: 48 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19821
19839
19845
198515
198635
198739
198848
198969
199092
1991111
1992100
1993155
1994161
1995199
1996305
1997373
1998435
1999338
2000287
20011079
2002702
2003499
2004350
2005314
20061402
20071204
2008916
2009395
2010396
2011168
2012454
2013318
2014291
2015377
20161079
2017591
2018738
2019425
2020222
2021142
2022881
2023252
2024122
202570
202628

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 31%

31% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cruise control and cables.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

AUTO-TRAN:SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE, LIGHTLY TOUCHED GAS PEDAL; ENGINE ACCELERATED; LURCHED BACKWARDS; HIT TWO VEHICLES IN PARKING LOT. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19951204

SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURY. *SKD

NHTSA ODI report, 19941122

ENGINE "REVS" WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT. CAR ACCELERATES BY ITSELF WITHOUT APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR. CAR JOLTS FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY FOR NO REASON.

NHTSA ODI report, 20031028

SEAT BELTS 21%

21% of complaints: seat belts — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UP WHEN DRIVER DROVE INTO A CONCRETE BASE NO BRAKING WAS DONE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19951213

SEAT BELTS DON'T LOCK. FRONT AND BACK SEATS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. THE CONSUMER HAD 2 ACCIDENTS MAR. 92 AND MAY 93. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19951120

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 15%

15% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing fuel injection system and filler pipe and cap.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

PIPE THAT IS LOCATED ON OUTSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK HAS CORRODED THROUGH AND FUEL LEAKS WHEN PUTTING FUEL INTO TANK. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020912

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%

15% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and switch.

Show complaint excerpts

CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC. ALL THE ELECTRICAL POWER WAS LOST. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE CAR ONLY STARTS WHEN JUMPED. THIS HAPPENED BEFORE THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND STARTER WERE REPLACED. IT WAS OK FOR A WHILE, THEN IT HAPPEN AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20060713

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8%

8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19871112 — vehicle speed control

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

Remedy: REPLACE ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION CONTROL UNIT.

Campaign 87V173000 — check if this car was fixed

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 19930923 — PE (closed 19940131)

STALLING

I 19940711 — PE (closed 19941027)

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS

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

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060417 — exterior lighting

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. H

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.

Campaign 06E032000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060701 — exterior lighting

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 N

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.

Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 Honda Civic — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (10 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 87V173000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 87V171000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 95V103001 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E032000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 1987 ▲ 2025

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ■ 2007 ■ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1988 Honda Civic reliable?

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

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

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1988 Honda Civic have?

8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.