1988 Honda Accord

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

77/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 97 complaints with NHTSA about the 1988 Honda Accord, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Seat belts	30	31%
Vehicle speed control	11	11%
Power train	10	10%
Tires	6	6%
Engine and engine cooling	6	6%
Electrical system	4	4%
Fuel system	3	3%
Equipment	3	3%
Exterior lighting	3	3%
Structure	3	3%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

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
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts

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,
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts

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 PA
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts

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
NHTSA complaint: Tires

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
NHTSA complaint: Tires

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 THE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system

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
NHTSA complaint: Power train

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
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1988 Honda Accord. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.

Seat belts:front:buckle assembly 95V103001

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.

Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Fix: 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

Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual 87V171000

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

Risk: VEHICLES MANUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS210.

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

The seven scores

Reliability	82	excellent
Longevity est.	83	excellent
Maintenance	89	excellent
Depreciation	83	excellent
Performance	45	below average
Efficiency	47	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 38% of compact cars
Longevity: better than 82% of compact cars
Running costs: better than 82% of compact cars
Value retention: better than 85% of compact cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 82: from NHTSA recalls and complaints, divided by approximate units sold so it is comparable between models.
Longevity 83: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1988 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 89: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 1988 Honda Accord?

Owners have filed 97 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 30 of them (31%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 1988 Honda Accord reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.

How long will a 1988 Honda Accord last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 83/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1988 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 1988 Honda Accord?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 77/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.