1988 Honda Civic
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 Honda Civic is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 56 on record.
1988 Honda Civic at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1988 Honda Civic recalls 8
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES AND SONAR HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON 1988-2005 HONDA CIVIC, 1990-2005 HONDA ACCORD, AND 1990-2001 ACURA INTEGRA PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Fix: TOM MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF NONCOMPLIANT LIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN APRIL 17, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOM MOTORSPORT AT 626-968-4007.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
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…
ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION CONTROL UNIT MAY CAUSE IDLE SPEED TO INCREASE BY ABOUT 550 RPM WHILE CAR IS STOPPED IN GEAR.
Fix: REPLACE ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION CONTROL UNIT.
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 Civic common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 51 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1988 Honda Civic MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 7 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 Civic costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
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
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1988 Honda Civic — ranges cover the 4 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 3
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #EA94035 · Seat Belts · opened Oct 1994 · closed Jul 1995SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS Closed
NHTSA #PE94052 · Seat Belts · opened Jul 1994 · closed Oct 1994STALLING Closed
NHTSA #PE93082 · Electrical System · opened Sep 1993 · closed Jan 1994An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 4
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
CONCERNS WITH A CLUNK OR SQUEAK FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION WHEN GOING OVER ROUGH OR BUMPY ROADS. *TT
Bulletin 00006 · Suspension · Dec 2001EXPERIENCING A CLUNK FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION WHEN GOING OVER ROUGH OR BUMPY ROADS. *TT
Bulletin 00006 · Suspension · Mar 2000PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKET LEAKS. *YC
Bulletin 97111097047 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 1997UNKNOWN
Bulletin HON050895 · Electrical System · May 1995Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CIVIC. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1988 Honda Civic. 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 1995Fuel System
Certain vehicles equipped with automatic transmssions have been manufactured with an electronic fuel injection control unit (ECU) that may cause the engine idle speed to increase by approximately 550 rpm while the vehicle is stopped in gear. Although the vehicle can be held stationary with the brakes, the unexpected high idle speed could create the potential for loss of vehicle…
Transport Canada #1987125 · Nov 1987Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1972. As of 2023, the Civic is positioned between the Honda Fit/City and Honda Accord in Honda's global passenger car line-up. It is one of the best-selling automobiles in history, with over 27 million units sold through 2021.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
1988 Honda Civic vehicles on record
1988 Honda CivicJHMEC93200S012140
1988 Honda CivicJHMAAG3320S218676
1988 Honda CivicJHMEC83200S009961
1988 Honda CivicJHMEC93200S020124
1988 Honda CivicJHMEC93200S012795
1988 Honda CivicJHMED25200S010309
1988 Honda CivicJHMED25200S006197
1988 Honda CivicJHMED25200S006046
1988 Honda CivicJHMEC93200S009113
1988 Honda CivicJYMEC83200S010996
1988 Honda CivicJHMED25200S010619
1988 Honda CivicJHMEC83200S014908
1988 Honda CivicJHMEC83200S102496
1988 Honda CivicJHMEC92200S007976
1988 Honda CivicJHMEC93200S006551
1988 Honda CivicJHMEC84200S008078
1988 Honda CivicJHMED25200S002736
1988 Honda CivicJHMED25200S005863
1988 Honda CivicJHMED63400S004947
1988 Honda CivicJHMED25200S003264
1988 Honda CivicJHMED25200S005319
1988 Honda CivicJHMEC93200S018323
1988 Honda CivicJHMEC83200S010410
1988 Honda CivicJHMAAH5330S201009