Model year guide

1988 Honda Accord

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 Honda Accord is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 30 on record.

1988 Honda Accord — representative photo
Representative photo

1988 Honda Accord at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints97
Combined22–26 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1988 Honda Accord recalls 2

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly NHTSA Campaign #95V103001 · 24/05/1995

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.

Fix: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES. CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. CHECK THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUG ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECU…

Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual NHTSA Campaign #87V171000 · 29/10/1987

OWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, SECTIONS 6A AND 6B WAS OMITTED FROM THE MANUAL.

Fix: UPGRADE EXISTING MANUALS BY INSERTING ADHESIVE BACKED CORRECTION PAGES.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1988 Honda Accord common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 97 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

1988 Honda Accord MPG & running costs

Combined22–26 mpg
City22 mpg
Highway28 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,813
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume89 cu ft
Cargo volume19 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$2,063 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1988 Honda Accord costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,065
Fuel only$14,065
Per mile$0.19

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
174.8–178.7 in
Width
66.9 in
Height
52.8–53.5 in
Wheelbase
102.4 in
Curb weight
2,370–2,414 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1988 Honda Accord — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE Closed

NHTSA #EA94035 · Seat Belts · opened Oct 1994 · closed Jul 1995

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the ACCORD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1988 Honda Accord. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Seats And Restraints

On certain vehicles, the platic front seatbelt release buttons may break allowing plastic pieces to fall into the buckle assembly. If this should happen, a no latch, false latch or failure to unlatch condition could occur creating the risk of personal injury in the event of a crash or sudden stop. Correction: Front seatbelt buckles will be repaired or replaced as necessary.

Transport Canada #1995086 · May 1995

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Honda Accord

The Honda Accord , also known as the Honda Inspire in Japan and China for certain generations, is a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, best known for its four-door sedan variant, which has been one of the best-selling cars in the United States since 1989. Worldwide, over 19 million units of the car have been sold, making it one of the best-selling automobiles of all time. The Accord nameplate has been applied to a variety of vehicles worldwide, including coupes, station wagons, hatchbacks, and a Honda Crosstour crossover.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1988 Honda Accord vehicles on record

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Other Honda Accord model years

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1988 Honda Accord — frequently asked questions

Does the 1988 Honda Accord have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1988 Honda Accord. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Honda Accord?

Across all 97 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are seat belts, vehicle speed control, power train.

What gas mileage does the 1988 Honda Accord get?

The 1988 Honda Accord has U.S. EPA estimates of 22–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.