1988 Honda CIVIC: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
27 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
150,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 27 complaints (18.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 4 | 14.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 11.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 11.1% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 2 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 1 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 2; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 26 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 12 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
1995: 12; 1996: 5; 2000: 3; 2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2006: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10043809 · 2003-10-28 (October 28, 2003)
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. PROBLEM SEEMS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE OF LACK OF CONTROL OF THE CAR'S ACCELERATION. MECHANIC HAS SAID THAT THE CAR NEEDS A NEW THROTTLE, A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. ALSO, CAR HAS TROUBLE STARTING, ESPECIALLY IN DAMP WEATHER. SPARK PLUGS AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM CONTINUED. DISTRIBUTOR WAS REPLACED, AND THE CAR STARTS BETTER, BUT ONCE IN A WHILE IT STILL HAS TROUBLE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10043809 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10162325 · 2006-07-13 (July 13, 2006)
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. I HAVE TALKED WITH FOUR OWNERS OF 1988 - 1991 HONDA CIVIC'S AND ALL HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR IGNITION SYSTEM. ONE OF THE PERSONS WORK WITH MY WIFE. HE TOLD US THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH HARNESS. HE TRIED TO FIX HIS CAR WITH THE SAME REPAIRS THAT WE DID, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RE…
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10162325 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10273716 · 2009-06-13 (June 13, 2009)
THE SPEEDOMETER NEVER WORKED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEITHER DOES THE MILEAGE INDICATOR WORK. SO I COULDN'T PUT AN ANSWER FOR THAT VALUE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10273716 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484436 · 1995-07-21 (July 21, 1995)
PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT FAILS TO LOCK INTO BUCKLE. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484436 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 485531 · 1995-06-21 (June 21, 1995)
DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTORS DO N0T LOCK WHEN BELTS ARE PULLED BY DRIVER/PASSENGER. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 500821 · 1996-03-12 (March 12, 1996)
ENGINE VIBRATES. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 500821 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501695 · 1996-02-02 (February 2, 1996)
UPON IMPACT FROM BEHIND, DRIVERS SEAT STRUCK THE BACK OF DRIVERS HEAD, CAUSING INJURIES. (FIRST VEHICLE ON 601338). *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501695 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501722 · 1996-02-19 (February 19, 1996)
FRONT SEATBELT PROBLEMS. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501722 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
87V171000 · Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual
Reported: 1987-10-29 (October 29, 1987)
OWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, SECTIONS 6A AND 6B WAS OMITTED FROM THE MANUAL.
Consequence: VEHICLES MANUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS210.
Remedy: UPGRADE EXISTING MANUALS BY INSERTING ADHESIVE BACKED CORRECTION PAGES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V173000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
Reported: 1987-11-13 (November 13, 1987)
ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION CONTROL UNIT MAY CAUSE IDLE SPEED TO INCREASE BY ABOUT 550 RPM WHILE CAR IS STOPPED IN GEAR.
Consequence: HIGHER THAN NORMAL IDLE COULD CREATE POTENTIAL FOR LOSSOF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: REPLACE ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION CONTROL UNIT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗95V103001 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 1995-05-24 (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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗