1988 Honda Accord Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 13%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 11 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1988 Honda Accord, 13% of the 88 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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“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.”
NHTSA complaint #750593, filed 2001-08“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. I fell on the ground. My leg got caught in the front wheel. I got some scratch on my left leg with severe pain through out my left leg. The door of the car hit on the side of house which stopped the further movement of the car. Otherwise I could have been badly injured. …”
NHTSA complaint #754906, filed 2001-11“Vehicle experienced rollback while parked with no key in the ignition. 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10055337, filed 2004-01“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.”
NHTSA complaint #745203, filed 2001-05Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 5% |
| 2024 | 6 | 4% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 8 | 3% |
| 2021 | 14 | 6% |
| 2020 | 16 | 4% |
| 2019 | 43 | 6% |
| 2018 | 139 | 7% |
| 2017 | 33 | 6% |
| 2016 | 29 | 5% |
| 2015 | 40 | 7% |
| 2014 | 65 | 7% |
| 2013 | 110 | 8% |
| 2012 | 27 | 7% |
| 2011 | 21 | 7% |
| 2010 | 45 | 8% |
| 2009 | 36 | 5% |
| 2008 | 70 | 5% |
| 2007 | 58 | 11% |
| 2006 | 50 | 12% |
| 2005 | 113 | 17% |
| 2004 | 348 | 34% |
| 2003 | 924 | 47% |
| 2002 | 478 | 46% |
| 2001 | 209 | 23% |
| 2000 | 201 | 17% |
| 1999 | 246 | 22% |
| 1998 | 276 | 23% |
| 1997 | 33 | 7% |
| 1996 | 27 | 6% |
| 1995 | 18 | 3% |
| 1994 | 21 | 6% |
| 1993 | 17 | 9% |
| 1992 | 25 | 12% |
| 1991 | 18 | 8% |
| 1990 | 15 | 8% |
| 1989 | 3 | 3% |
| 1988 | 11 | 13% |
| 1987 | 7 | 6% |
| 1986 | 5 | 9% |
| 1985 | 1 | 8% |
| 1983 | 1 | 14% |
| 1982 | 1 | 10% |
| 1981 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 1988 Honda Accord
31 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 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