RoadVitals

1988 Honda Civic Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
46
Latest Jun 13, 2009
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
9
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1988 Honda Civic, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Seat belts1122.4%
  • Electrical714.3%
  • Fuel system714.3%
  • Engine48.2%
  • Interior & seats36.1%
  • Body & structure24.1%
  • Powertrain (other)12.0%
  • Suspension12.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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. THE GAS SMELL IS NOTICEABLE IN THE CAR. ALSO, THE FRAME OF THE CAR IS NEARLY RUSTED AWAY.

NHTSA ID 10043809 · filed Oct 28, 2003

THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LURCHES FORWARD AND THE RPMS INCREASE UNEXPECTEDLY TO AN UNCONTROLLABLE LEVEL. THE PROBLEM BEGAN IN EARLY 1996. HONDA SAYS THE RECALL OF A SIMILAR PART DOES NOT COVER MY CAR. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IS MINE THE ONLY SUCH REPORT AND WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE AS FAR AS NHTSA IS CONCERNED.

NHTSA ID 710036 · filed Aug 16, 1999
All 13 reports naming driver assistance

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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. THE CAR SHUTTERS AND STALLS...THE EFI UNIT JUST SUDDENLY SPEEDS UP THE CAR, SINCE THE IDLE JUMPS UP..I SPENT SO MUCH MONEY CHANGING THE GOOD PARTS. I WOULD LIKE HONDA TO REPLACE THE IGNITOR AND THE EFI UNIT FREE OF CHARGE, NOW THAT I KNOW THOSE 2 PARTS ARE THE PROBLEMS ALL THESE YEARS.. PLEASE CHK THIS SITE ALSO: HTTP://EARTHRENEWAL.ORG/ARE_HONDA_AUTOMOBILES_SAFE_AND_R.HTM ..PLEASE WRITE BACK ASAP..THANK YOU..

NHTSA ID 765682 · filed Aug 15, 2002

HEADREST BROKE WITHOUT ANY KNOWN FORCE OR ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID 542373 · filed Nov 2, 1998
All 11 reports naming seat belts

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE SPEEDOMETER NEVER WORKED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEITHER DOES THE MILEAGE INDICATOR WORK. SO I COULDN'T PUT AN ANSWER FOR THAT VALUE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10273716 · filed Jun 13, 2009

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. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING THE HARNESS AS OF 7/13/2006. I TALK WITH HONDA MOTORS CORP AND THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS MODEL. ONE FOR THE 1997 - 1999 CIVIC. RECALL NUMBER 02031 DATED 2002. ANY HELP YOU BE ABLE TO GIVE ME WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU! *JB

NHTSA ID 10162325 · filed Jul 13, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.*AK

NHTSA ID 8018520 · filed Sep 12, 2002

NHTSA CAMPAIGN#:87V173000 ORIGINAL PART FAILURE-LOCAL DEALERSHIP WON'T HONOR RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ID 743196 · filed Mar 28, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE TRAVELING FOR SEVERAL YEARS ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD STAY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL INTERMITTENT. CONSUMER REPLACED COMPURTER BOARD, INDICATOR LIGHT WENT OFF, VEHICLE STILL HAS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID 882195 · filed Mar 6, 2001

ENGINE IGNITOR COMPONANT CAUSUNG CAR TO JUST QUIT

NHTSA ID 729315 · filed Aug 28, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

INSIDE SEA TMOUTING RAILS CRACKED, LEAVING THE SEAT MOUNTED AT THREE POINTS INSTEAD OF FOUR. *AK

NHTSA ID 519121 · filed Sep 11, 1997

SEAT BELTS CANNOT BE UNFASTENED.

NHTSA ID 602297 · filed Nov 18, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE REAR LEFT WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE BROKE OFF FROM THE SUB FRAME MOUNTING POINT WHILE I WAS BACKING UP THE VEHICLE ON MY DRIVEWAY. THE MOUNTING POINT ON THE REAR SUB FRAME WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IS ATTACHED SEPARATED FROM THE SUB FRAME STRUCTURE. IT APPEARS THAT THE STRUCTURAL FAILURE IS CAUSED BY INTERNAL CORROSION THAT CAN NOT BE SEEN BY EXTERNAL INSPECTION. THE REAR SUB FRAME ON MY VEHICLE IS ORIGINAL AND WAS NEVER DAMAGED. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS FOR OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE MODEL AND OTHERS THAT TRAVEL IN OR NEAR IT. I CONSIDER MY SELF VERY LUCKY IN THAT THE WHEEL DID NOT BROKE OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY OR ROAD.*AK

NHTSA ID 725562 · filed Jul 17, 2000

REAR BEAM WHICH SUPPORTS BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT REAR "A" FRAMES IS RUSTED MORE THAN 3/4 THROUGH CAUSING BEAM TO BEND IN THE CENTER CAUSING REAR WHEELS TO COME OUT OF ALIGNMENT, ALSO WHEN THE PART TOTALLY FAILS BOTH OF MY REAR WHEELS WILL COLLAPSE. I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH A HONDA EXCEPT IT WAS THE FRONT BEAM THAT RUSTED THROUGH. I LIVE IN THE NORTHEAST WHERE WE USE SALT IN THE WINTER. CAN I GET THE DEALER TO FIX THIS SAFETY PROBLEM?

NHTSA ID 712593 · filed Sep 30, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE TRAVELING FOR SEVERAL YEARS ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD STAY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL INTERMITTENT. CONSUMER REPLACED COMPURTER BOARD, INDICATOR LIGHT WENT OFF, VEHICLE STILL HAS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID 882195 · filed Mar 6, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

AFTER HAVING VEHICLE CHECKED FOR ROUTINE SERVICE THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS WERE FOUND TO BE WORN OUT. THE ARMS HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO BE LUBRICATED. *AK.ET.

NHTSA ID 836315 · filed Mar 30, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .