1988 Honda Civic Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 28%of 46 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1988 Honda Civic, 28% of the 46 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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 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 1999-03“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10043809, filed 2003-10“When driving at any speed vehicle is idling very high. However, when consumer takes foot off the gas pedal, vehicle jerks forward and the idle is increased with high speed.”
NHTSA complaint #836538, filed 1999-04Related recalls
- 87V173000Nov 13, 1987Electronic fuel injection control unit may cause idle speed to increase by about 550 rpm while car is stopped in gear.Covers: Honda Civic 1988
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 6% |
| 2025 | 4 | 5% |
| 2024 | 4 | 3% |
| 2023 | 4 | 2% |
| 2022 | 42 | 5% |
| 2021 | 6 | 4% |
| 2020 | 4 | 2% |
| 2019 | 11 | 2% |
| 2018 | 5 | 1% |
| 2017 | 13 | 2% |
| 2016 | 17 | 2% |
| 2015 | 20 | 5% |
| 2014 | 9 | 3% |
| 2013 | 20 | 6% |
| 2012 | 38 | 8% |
| 2011 | 10 | 6% |
| 2010 | 15 | 4% |
| 2009 | 17 | 4% |
| 2008 | 29 | 3% |
| 2007 | 24 | 2% |
| 2006 | 40 | 3% |
| 2005 | 25 | 8% |
| 2004 | 23 | 7% |
| 2003 | 34 | 7% |
| 2002 | 25 | 4% |
| 2001 | 30 | 3% |
| 2000 | 17 | 6% |
| 1999 | 13 | 4% |
| 1998 | 29 | 7% |
| 1997 | 38 | 10% |
| 1996 | 31 | 10% |
| 1995 | 7 | 4% |
| 1994 | 9 | 7% |
| 1993 | 5 | 3% |
| 1992 | 2 | 2% |
| 1991 | 2 | 2% |
| 1990 | 5 | 5% |
| 1989 | 9 | 13% |
| 1988 | 13 | 28% |
| 1987 | 4 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1988 Honda Civic
10 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1988 Honda Civic
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology