1988 Honda Accord Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 35%of 88 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 200,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the seat belts of the 1988 Honda Accord, 35% of the 88 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 200,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 retract. The seat belts are supposed to be guaranteed for the life of the car. I have been to the dealer a few times and they said they can't help me...gave me a phone # to Honda america to see what they can do. That is a dead end too. …”
NHTSA complaint #11025034, filed 2017-09, 200,000 miles“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 Accord lxi hatchback has an issue with the front seat belt retractors. The dealer replaced the driver side one about 3 years ago. Now the one in the front/passenger side has failed and the seat belt is hanging all of the way out of the door. …”
NHTSA complaint #11056238, filed 2017-12, 206,000 miles“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“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 consideration to this matter.”
NHTSA complaint #702606, filed 1999-01“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 fix and now I'm scared to drive my car since I don't know the door or the seatbelt will fall off. The beeping goes off every minute and driving me crazy.”
NHTSA complaint #726076, filed 2000-07Related recalls
- 95V103001May 24, 1995The 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…Covers: Honda Accord 1986–1991, Civic 1986–1991, Prelude 1986–1991 +3 more
Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 3% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2021 | 6 | 2% |
| 2020 | 7 | 2% |
| 2019 | 8 | 1% |
| 2018 | 30 | 2% |
| 2017 | 12 | 2% |
| 2016 | 4 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% |
| 2014 | 5 | 1% |
| 2013 | 4 | 0% |
| 2012 | 7 | 2% |
| 2011 | 3 | 1% |
| 2010 | 9 | 2% |
| 2009 | 8 | 1% |
| 2008 | 21 | 1% |
| 2007 | 22 | 4% |
| 2006 | 7 | 2% |
| 2005 | 28 | 4% |
| 2004 | 38 | 4% |
| 2003 | 26 | 1% |
| 2002 | 39 | 4% |
| 2001 | 36 | 4% |
| 2000 | 56 | 5% |
| 1999 | 22 | 2% |
| 1998 | 29 | 2% |
| 1997 | 23 | 5% |
| 1996 | 17 | 4% |
| 1995 | 29 | 5% |
| 1994 | 14 | 4% |
| 1993 | 18 | 10% |
| 1992 | 24 | 12% |
| 1991 | 58 | 27% |
| 1990 | 33 | 17% |
| 1989 | 32 | 37% |
| 1988 | 31 | 35% |
| 1987 | 34 | 31% |
| 1986 | 14 | 26% |
| 1985 | 2 | 15% |
| 1984 | 6 | 27% |
| 1983 | 1 | 14% |
| 1982 | 3 | 30% |
Other parts of the 1988 Honda Accord
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsEngine cooling
8 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 Nov 1, 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