1988 Honda Civic Problems
- Complaints
- 46filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 150,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 29 mpgcombined, 1.5L 4-cyl FWD · 26 city / 33 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Honda Civic (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 1988 Honda Civic. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 13 complaints (28% of the total), followed by seat belts (10) and electrical system (7). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 150,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 9 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the buckle assembly and 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Vehicle speed control13 28%
- Seat belts10 22%
- Electrical system7 15%
- Fuel system7 15%
- Engine cooling4 8.7%
- Seats3 6.5%
- Body and structure2 4.3%
- Other or unknown1 2.2%
- Suspension1 2.2%
Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1).
Example complaints
Vehicle speed control: “The car idles and the surges while in gear but at a stop. This causes the car to fight the brakes. This is similar to a problem already in another recall but Honda says this vehicle is not covered by the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #704945, filed 1999-03Seat belts: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #765682, filed 2002-08Electrical system: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10162325, filed 2006-07, 150,000 milesFuel system: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #8018520, filed 2002-09Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 150,000 and 150,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Honda Civic version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civic FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 30 | 35 | 32 | $2,100 |
| Civic FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 28 | 34 | 31 | $2,150 |
| Civic FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 28 | 33 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Civic FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 25 | 32 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Civic FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 24 | 30 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Civic CRX FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 29 | 35 | 32 | $2,100 |
| Civic CRX FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 26 | 33 | 29 | $2,300 |
| Civic CRX FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Civic CRX HF FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 41 | 49 | 44 | $1,500 |
| Civic CRX HF FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 37 | 47 | 41 | $1,650 |
| Civic Wagon FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 27 | 33 | 29 | $2,300 |
| Civic Wagon FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 24 | 30 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Civic Wagon FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 24 | 30 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Civic Wagon 4WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 24 | 23 | $2,900 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 95V103001May 24, 1995Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Honda Civic 1986–1991, Accord 1986–1991, Prelude 1986–1991 +3 more
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.
- 87V173000Nov 13, 1987Vehicle speed control › Cruise controlCovers: Honda Civic 1988
Electronic fuel injection control unit may cause idle speed to increase by about 550 rpm while car is stopped in gear.
- 87V171000Oct 29, 1987Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manualCovers: Honda Civic 1987–1988, Accord 1987–1988, Prelude 1988 +2 more
Owners manual information required by fmvss 210, sections 6a and 6b was omitted from the manual.
Recall details for the 1988 Honda Civic → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Honda Civic.
Other model years of the Honda Civic
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 32 | 300 | 0 | 5 | 34 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2025 | 78 | 7,278 | 2 | 5 | 34 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 126 | 11,000 | 3 | 5 | 33 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 259 | 10,000 | 4 | 5 | 33 | 64 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 886 | 27,000 | 4 | 5 | 33 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2021 | 147 | 30,000 | 4 | 5 | 33 | 10 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2020 | 234 | 15,400 | 5 | 5 | 32 | 49 · Typical | Rising |
| 2019 | 443 | 16,200 | 4 | 5 | 33 | 48 · Typical | Rising |
| 2018 | 748 | 32,508 | 6 | 5 | 33 | 61 · Typical | Rising |
| 2017 | 604 | 23,300 | 6 | 5 | 34 | 66 · More | Rising |
| 2016 | 1,082 | 30,000 | 5 | 5 | 34 | 84 · More | Stable |
| 2015 | 381 | 50,000 | 1 | 4–5 | 32 | 5 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2014 | 293 | 32,570 | 2 | 4–5 | 32 | 15 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2013 | 319 | 24,000 | 0 | 4–5 | 32 | 1 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2012 | 456 | 30,150 | 3 | 4–5 | 31 | 51 · Typical | Stable |
| 2011 | 169 | 31,500 | 9 | 3 | 29 | 30 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2010 | 397 | 39,960 | 8 | — | 29 | 48 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 396 | 31,000 | 8 | — | 29 | 74 · More | Falling |
| 2008 | 916 | 50,000 | 7 | — | 29 | 78 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 1,204 | 45,000 | 9 | — | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 1,404 | 60,000 | 13 | — | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 316 | 65,000 | 10 | — | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 350 | 82,000 | 10 | — | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 499 | 76,000 | 11 | — | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 702 | 90,000 | 11 | — | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 1,079 | 89,320 | 14 | — | 31 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 287 | 74,000 | 6 | — | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 338 | 120,000 | 3 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 435 | 95,000 | 4 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 373 | 88,000 | 2 | — | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 305 | 100,500 | 2 | — | 31 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 199 | 131,000 | 0 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 135 | 133,050 | 2 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 146 | 139,500 | 1 | — | 31 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1992 | 98 | 116,754 | 1 | — | 37 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 110 | 150,000 | 1 | — | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1990 | 91 | 156,931 | 3 | — | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 69 | 100,000 | 1 | — | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 46 | 150,000 | 3 | — | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 39 | 157,000 | 3 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 35 | 107,684 | 3 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1985 | 15 | — | 2 | — | 29 | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 5 | — | 3 | — | 29 | — | Not enough data |
| 1983 | 9 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Honda Civic model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Honda Civic have?
NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 1988 Honda Civic as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Honda Civic is reported most often?
Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 13 complaints (28% of the total), followed by seat belts with 10.
Has the 1988 Honda Civic been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Honda Civic get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Honda Civic (Civic CRX, 1.5L 4-cyl) at 29 mpg combined, 26 city and 33 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Honda Civic reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 150,000 miles and the middle half falls between 150,000 and 150,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.