1988 Honda Accord Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 9%of 88 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1988 Honda Accord, 9% of the 88 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 and when it does it slams into gear or will not go into gear.”
NHTSA complaint #10069893, filed 2004-01“Accelerator pedal stuck at full throttle. Dealer was notified. 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.”
NHTSA complaint #8005219, filed 2002-03Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 0% |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 10 | 1% |
| 2018 | 28 | 1% |
| 2016 | 2 | 0% |
| 2015 | 4 | 1% |
| 2014 | 5 | 1% |
| 2013 | 7 | 0% |
| 2012 | 9 | 2% |
| 2011 | 4 | 1% |
| 2010 | 12 | 2% |
| 2009 | 29 | 4% |
| 2008 | 41 | 3% |
| 2007 | 26 | 5% |
| 2006 | 19 | 4% |
| 2005 | 27 | 4% |
| 2004 | 28 | 3% |
| 2003 | 95 | 5% |
| 2002 | 33 | 3% |
| 2001 | 29 | 3% |
| 2000 | 65 | 5% |
| 1999 | 144 | 13% |
| 1998 | 134 | 11% |
| 1997 | 48 | 10% |
| 1996 | 96 | 20% |
| 1995 | 43 | 8% |
| 1994 | 84 | 23% |
| 1993 | 35 | 19% |
| 1992 | 19 | 9% |
| 1991 | 14 | 7% |
| 1990 | 13 | 7% |
| 1989 | 12 | 14% |
| 1988 | 8 | 9% |
| 1987 | 6 | 5% |
| 1986 | 3 | 6% |
| 1985 | 1 | 8% |
| 1984 | 4 | 18% |
| 1982 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1988 Honda Accord
31 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsTires
6 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1988 Honda Accord
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology