1988 HONDA ACCORD Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Problem Breakdown
Compare to Other Years
Common Problems
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 O...
Mileage: 200,000
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 A...
Mileage: 206,000
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 RETRA...
Mileage: 200,000
I HAD TWO TIRE BLOWOUTS WITHIN 3 WEEKS,THE TIRE VALVE STEMS ON BOTH TIRES WERE SEVERLY SUN CRACKED,I HEARD ABOUT THE DILL COMPANY'S RECALL ON VALVE STEMS MADE IN 2006 BOTH MY STEMS WERE MADE IN 2005 MODEL #TR 418,I THINK THEY NEED TO EXPAND THIS RECALL DRASTICALLY BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE GETS KILLED!!!,...
I HAD REPLACED THREE TIRES ON MY VEHICLE AT SEARS. APPROXIMATELY, THREE WEEKS AGO, I HAD A TIRE DEFLATE WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING AREA TOWARD THE FREEWAY. I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION AND DISCOVERED AIR LEAKING FROM THE VALVE STEM. I FILLED THE TIRE AND DROVE THE CAR TO SEARS A COUPLE MILES AW...
Mileage: 318,965
DT: CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL LINE RUNS UNDERNEATH THE CARPET INSIDE THE CAR AND THERE WAS A GAS LEAK FROM THE FUEL LINE AND HER CAR FILLED UP WITH GASOLINE. THIS HAPPENED ON 7-16-05. SHE HAS TAKEN IT TO A DEALER AND THEY PUT A SPLICE IN THE FUEL LINE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SHE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM...
Mileage: 195,000
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ROLLBACK WHILE PARKED WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION.*MR 1988 HONDA ACCORD HAS EXPERIENCED ROLL BACK WHILE PARKED WITH NO KEY IN IGNITION. CONSUMER NOTIFIED THE HONDA DEALERSHIP WHICH IN TURN PAID NO ATTENTION TO THEIR COMPLAINT.*MR
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION IT INADVERTENTLY ROLLS BACKWARDS. *AK
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
ON 12/24/02 I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A DODGE NEON TRAVELING ABOUT 25-30 MPH. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AT THE TIME. MY CAR HONDA [VIN [XXX]] WAS TOTALED. DURING THE CRASH THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT FAILED. THE RESULT WAS I WAS THROWN FORWARD INTO THE STEERING COLUMN WITH GREAT FORCE. I SUFFERED MUL...
Mileage: 110,000
THE HIDE AWAY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY KEEPS CUTTING THE HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS IN TWO AFTER THE HEADLIGHTS OPEN AND SHUT SEVERAL TIMES. THIS LOOKS LIKE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I HAVE PERSONALLY FIXED THIS PROBLEM TWICE IN 76000 MILES WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER DOING IT TWICE.*AK
ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK AT FULL THROTTLE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS STICKING DUE TO THE NUMBER 3 AND 4 PISTONS HITTING THE HEAD. ALSO, CONSUMER STATES ENGINE PROBLEMS STARTED AFTER THE THROTTLE STUCK AND THE TIMING BELT JUMPED A COUPLE NOTCHES. *YD
ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK AT FULL THROTTLE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS STICKING DUE TO THE NUMBER 3 AND 4 PISTONS HITTING THE HEAD. ALSO, CONSUMER STATES ENGINE PROBLEMS STARTED AFTER THE THROTTLE STUCK AND THE TIMING BELT JUMPED A COUPLE NOTCHES. *YD
WAS EXITING FROM TRAFFIC WHEN BRAKES FAILED AFTER BEING APPLIED. THIS CAUSED DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. HAD CONTACTED DEALERSHIP.*AK
I STARTED THE CAR AND REVERSED IT FROM GARAGE. CAR STALLED. I FORGOT TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK BEFORE TAKING THE KEY OUT OF IGNITION. AFTER SOME TIME I STARTED THE CAR STANDING OUTSIDE WHILE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS STILL WIDELY OPENED. IMMEDIATELY THE CAR WENT BACKWARD PULLING ME WITH THE OPEN DOOR....
FIRESTONE TIRE SIZE 175/13, TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE.*AK
THE AXLE BROKE IN TWO AT LOW SPEED(LUCKILY), SPUN AROUND THE STEERING LINKAGE AND PUNCTURED THE OIL PAN IN TWO PLACES. I BELIEVE I CAN SHOW THAT THE AXLE WAS CRACKED AT OR BEFORE THE TIME OF RE-MANUFACTURE AND WAS NOT PROPERLY INSPECTED BY CRS.
THE AXLE IN QUESTION FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY, WITHOUT WARNING AFTER ONLY 26000 MILES OF USE. HAD THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, A LOSS OF CONTROL WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY ENSUED. *AK
DAUGHTER HAD DRIVEN CAR ABOUT 10 MILES TO GET HOME. SHE PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE AND CAME IN. SHE SAID NOTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT DRIVING THE CAR. SOME MINUTES LATER A NEIGHBOR KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AND SAID THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR. WE CHECKED AND THERE WAS SMOKE AND SPARKS FROM U...
THE TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION RESULTING IN A LARGE BLISTER ON THE TREAD FACE. I DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM ASS REPAIRING A FLAT TIRE ON ANOTHER WHEEL OF MY DAUGHTER'S CAR. THIS FAILURE WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE WE HAVE HAD WITH THE FIRESTONE NAMEBRAND. ANOTHER DAUGHTER HAD SIMILAR FAILURES ON BRAND N...
MY STEERING WENT OUT. WONDERING IF THERE WERE SIMILAR REPORTS ON THIS SPECIFIC CAR. *AK
I BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED OR ENGINE OFF. THE SMELL WAS VERY STRONG AFTER THE ENGINE WAS OFF. I TOOK THE CAR TO NORTHSIDE AUTO REPAIR. THE OWNER INFORMED ME IT WAS THE FUEL INJECTORS. I DID NOT CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD THE FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED WITH NEW ONES. THE...
SEVERE SWERVING ON RUTTED ASPHALT HIGHWAYS. NO SWERVING W/MICHLEN,GOODYEAR (DOT NUMBER: UNKNOWN TIRESIZE: 185/70SR13) (DOT NUMBER: UNKNOWN TIRESIZE: 185/70SR13)
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...
DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT 2 FUSES FAILED. WIRING HARNESS AT LAS TSTRAP TOO SHORT, AND ALL THREE CONDUCTORS HAD BARE INSULATION AND SHORTED OUT AGAINST EACH OTHER. ONE CONDUCTOR WAS NEGATIVE.
HORN FAILED. *MJS
TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP FAILED CAUSING ENGINE LIGHT TO REMAIN ON. *MJS
TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP FAILED CAUSING ENGINE LIGHT TO REMAIN ON. *MJS
CV JOINTS FAILED. *MJS
A/C UNIT FAILED. *MJS
SHOCKS AND STRUTS FAILED. *MJS
SHOCKS AND STRUTS FAILED. *MJS
(RE: NHTSA ITEM # SB008535, SB009785, ETC.)
SEAT BELT FAILURE.
LIGHT PANEL DOESN'T WORK
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 CO...
FUEL FILLER PIPE RUSTED THROUGH AT TOP CONNECTION TO VEHICLE BODY (AWAY FROM DIRECT CONTACT WITH WEATHER, AND CAUSED FUEL VAPOR RELEASE. APARENTLY, EARLIER MODEL OF THE HONDA ACCORD, UP TO WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF MY VEHICLE MANUFACTURE, WERE RECALLED FOR THIS VERY FAILURE. MY CAR WAS NOT A PART OF THAT ...
FUEL FILLER PIPE RUSTED THROUGH AT TOP CONNECTION TO VEHICLE BODY (AWAY FROM DIRECT CONTACT WITH WEATHER, AND CAUSED FUEL VAPOR RELEASE. APARENTLY, EARLIER MODEL OF THE HONDA ACCORD, UP TO WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF MY VEHICLE MANUFACTURE, WERE RECALLED FOR THIS VERY FAILURE. MY CAR WAS NOT A PART OF THAT ...
THE CAR HAD BEEN STARTED IN PARK, THEN IT JUMPED INTO REVERSE AND ACCELERATED INTO A VAN AT A HIGH SPEED. DRIVER WAS INJURED. DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING TO THE FLOOR WHEN APPLIED. PROPERTY DAMAGE TO APARTMENT COMPLEX. *AK
LOSS OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION.
CAR DID NOT STOP. CONSUMER HAD TO RUN INTO A TREE TO STOP THE CAR. NO ONE WAS HURT, AND THE DEALER WAS INFORMED. *AK
AS THE HIDE-AWAY HEADLIGHTS FLIP UP THE WIRES AT THE MAIN TWIST WEAR INTO AND MELT TOGETHER, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS NOT TO BURN. (QCAW)
HOOD FLEW UP WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
PAINT HAS BEEN COMING OFF THE HOOD TOP AND TRUNK.
THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND THE TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK.
VEHICLE STALLS/HESITATES AT LOW SPEEDS DUE TO FUEL PUMP FAILURE.
SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
FIFTH GEAR FAILED.
CAR CONTINUOUSLY FAILS EMISSION INSPECTION DUE TO SMOG DIAGNOSTIC TEST FAILURE.
RECALL 95V-103001, DEALER HAS NOT COME UP WITH THE PARTS. *AK
EMISSIONS SYSTEM FAILURE.
SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE IN REVERSE CAUSED ACCIDENT.
SEAT BELT BUCKLE RECALL REPAIR NOT DONE BECAUSE PARTS HAVE NOT YET FAILED.
WHEN VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE ENGINE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
THE IDLE SPEED SOLENOID STUCK, CAUSING ENGINE TO RACE/LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURIES.
REFRIGERANT LEAK IN ONE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE AIR CONDITIONER HOSES, LEAK OCCURRED AND THE FREON BEGAN SPEWING OUT, RESULTING IN A FIRE WHEN AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS ENCOUNTERED.
TIRES REPLACED.(2ND VEHICLE ON 511132)
SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE, ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, VEHICLE TOOK OFF AT HIGH SPEED, WITNESS SAID IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, VEHICLE HIT POLE BEFORE STOPPING. VEHICLE TOTALED.*AK
THE ACCELERATOR STUCK ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE SOLENOID ON THE CARBURETOR LOCKED UP, VEHICLE HIT A TREE HEAD-ON. *AK
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, OWNER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, DRIVER WHO HAD ON SEAT BELT AT THE TIME, WAS EJECTED OUT OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE SUNROOF, SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN, DRIVER DIED.*AK
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, OWNER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, DRIVER WHO HAD ON SEAT BELT AT THE TIME, WAS EJECTED OUT OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE SUNROOF, SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN, DRIVER DIED.*AK
FILM BUILD-UP ON WINDSHIELD, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.(2ND VEHICLE ON 507164) *SD
SEAT BELT REPAIRS PRIOR TO RECALL.
MOTOR HEADLIGHT WHEN IT POPPED UP, IT SEVERED WIRES TO THE HEADLIGHT. *AK *JB
WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION WILL STOP AND THE CAR WILL JUST STOP AND IT WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE EITHER. PLEASE DESRIBE. *AK
RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT INNER PLASTIC RETAINER RELEASE FAILED, RESULTING IN BUCKLE BEING JAMMED. *DSH
VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED AT 5:00 POSITION, SPEED 10 MPH, PASSENGER SIDE LAP/SHOULDER BELT FAILED, DOOR LATCH FAILED, DOOR CAME OPEN, THROWING PERSON OUT. *AK
SEAT BELT RELEASED DURING REAR END COLLISION, CAUSING INJURY. *DH
WENT TO GET RECALL WORK DONE AND THE DEALERSHIP RUINED HER CAR FURTHER AND WILL NOT REPAIR IT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
WENT TO GET RECALL WORK DONE AND THE DEALERSHIP RUINED HER CAR FURTHER AND WILL NOT REPAIR IT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. TT
DO NOT HAVE THE PART TO FIX RECALL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT CAME LOOSE . TT
CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT CAME LOOSE AND THROUGH CONSUMER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR CAR WAS TOTALED . TT
RUSTY OIL PAN REPLACED DUE TO EXHAUST PIPE RUNNING CLOSE TO THE PAN. *SD
SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURY. *AW
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LOCK . TT
HEARD A NOISE, 8 MONTHS LATER, AXLE CONTROL ARM BROKE WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. TT
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO CLOSE THE DOOR YOU HAVE TO CLOSE IT HARD . TT
THE FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ARE NOT WORKING. TT
AUTO-TRAN: SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE, BRAKES APPLIED; ENGINE ACCELERATED WITHOUT FOOT ON PEDAL; LURCHED FORWARD AT HIGH SPEED; HIT TWO SMALL TREES; NO WARNING
BRAKE FAILURE. TT
SEATBELTS FAILED. (SECOND VEHICLE ON 485848) *DSH
THE CAR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE DRIVERS SHOULDER HARNESS DID NOT RESTRAIN HIM THEREFORE HE HIT THE WINDOW AND NOW HAS SEIZURES DUE TO INJURY. DESCRIBE. TT
DRIVER/PASS SHOULDER/LAP BELT MALE WON'T CLICK INTO FEMALE, ALSO REAR CENTER LAP BELT COMES UNDONE. TT
THE TRANSMISSION BLOW OUT . TT
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DOESN'T LOCK, COMES OUT WHEN DRIVING . TT
CAR WAS IN ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DIDN'T RESTRAIN, THE PERSON WAS BADLY INJURY. TT
SEAT BELT RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED. (OTHER VEHICLE ON 479680) *AW
SEAT BELT BUCKLE UNLOCKED ONCE IT HAS BEEN FASTENED PROPERLY. TT
FREEZE PLUG LEAKS. *AW
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE, DOES NOT STAY LATCHED. TT
WAS REAR ENDED DRIVER SEAT BROKE AND DRIVER WAS INJURED. TT
FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT DOES NOT LATCH, POPS OPEN WHEN DRIVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
EXPERIENCES DIFFICULTY IN LATCHING FRONT PASSENGER LAP/SHOULDER HARNESS BUCKLE. TT
SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FAIL. *AW
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURY.
VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WHEN PARKED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARDS. *SKD