1988 HONDA CIVIC — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
51
Owner Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1988 HONDA CIVIC
The 1988 HONDA CIVIC has received a total of 51 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 8 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING. The most commonly reported problems involve the Vehicle Speed Control (7 complaints), Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly (6 complaints), and Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control (6 complaints).
Recalls for the 1988 HONDA CIVIC
NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 1988 HONDA CIVIC, potentially affecting up to 3,952,377 vehicles.
Recall 09E025000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 42,540 vehicles affected
Defect: 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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
View full details →Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: 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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
View full details →Recall 06E049000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 27,176 vehicles affected
Defect: 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 NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
View full details →Recall 06E032000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 845 vehicles affected
Defect: 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. HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
View full details →Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 61,944 vehicles affected
Defect: 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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
View full details →Recall 95V103001 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
| 3,700,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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,...
View full details →Recall 87V171000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
| 99,088 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
View full details →Recall 87V173000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
| 4,514 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1988 HONDA CIVIC
51 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1988 HONDA CIVIC. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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
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 RESOLVED UNTIL HE CHANGED THE IGNITION HARNESS. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING THE HARNESS AS OF 7/13/2006. I TALK WITH HONDA MOTORS CORP AND THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS MODEL. ONE FOR THE 1997 - 1999 CIVIC. RECALL NUMBER 02031 DATED 2002. ANY HELP YOU BE ABLE TO GIVE ME WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU! *JB
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 STARTING. ALSO, THE FUEL LINES LEAK GAS. THE GAS SMELL IS NOTICEABLE IN THE CAR. ALSO, THE FRAME OF THE CAR IS NEARLY RUSTED AWAY.
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
ON MY 1988 HONDA CIVIC, I FOUND OUT THROUGH THE INTERNET ,THAT THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THE EFI CONTROL UNIT, A RECALL FOR THE SEATBELTS, AND A RECALL FOR THE IGNITOR, AND FOR SOME REASON I NEVER RECEIVED THOSE RECALLS. I BEEN DRIVING THE CAR WITH THE BAD EFI, AND THE IDLE JUST JUMPS UP AND DOWN, AND NOW MY IGNITOR IS GONE BAD AND THE CAR WON'T START. I ALMOST GOT HIT FROM THE BACK BECAUSE THE IGNITOR FAILED WHILE I WAS ON THE RIGHT LANE IN THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR SHUTTERS AND STALLS...THE EFI UNIT JUST SUDDENLY SPEEDS UP THE CAR, SINCE THE IDLE JUMPS UP..I SPENT SO MUCH MONEY CHANGING THE GOOD PARTS. I WOULD LIKE HONDA TO REPLACE THE IGNITOR AND THE EFI UNIT FREE OF CHARGE, NOW THAT I KNOW THOSE 2 PARTS ARE THE PROBLEMS ALL THESE YEARS.. PLEASE CHK THIS SITE ALSO: HTTP://EARTHRENEWAL.ORG/ARE_HONDA_AUTOMOBILES_SAFE_AND_R.HTM ..PLEASE WRITE BACK ASAP..THANK YOU..
Safety Rating for the 1988 HONDA CIVIC
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1988 HONDA CIVIC in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1988 HONDA CIVIC
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1988 HONDA CIVIC
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the HONDA CIVIC
- 1983 HONDA CIVIC — 10 complaints
- 1984 HONDA CIVIC — 7 complaints
- 1985 HONDA CIVIC — 17 complaints
- 1986 HONDA CIVIC — 54 complaints
- 1987 HONDA CIVIC — 41 complaints
- 1988 HONDA CIVIC (current)
- 1989 HONDA CIVIC — 88 complaints
- 1990 HONDA CIVIC — 110 complaints
- 1991 HONDA CIVIC — 143 complaints
- 1992 HONDA CIVIC — 113 complaints
- 1993 HONDA CIVIC — 178 complaints
Other HONDA Models
- HONDA ACCORD — 30,831 total complaints
- HONDA CR-V — 20,109 total complaints
- HONDA ODYSSEY — 15,588 total complaints
- HONDA PILOT — 12,071 total complaints
- HONDA FIT — 2,686 total complaints
- HONDA RIDGELINE — 2,527 total complaints
- HONDA HR-V — 2,201 total complaints
- HONDA PASSPORT — 2,079 total complaints