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1988 Vehicles: Recalls, Complaints & Safety Data

Every 1988 model-year vehicle in our database with enough NHTSA data to publish, ranked by the number of complaints owners have filed. Because all of these vehicles are the same model year, they have had the same amount of time in which reports could accumulate.

Complaints 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.

Vehicles listed1988 model years that clear the threshold at which we publish a vehicle page.
717
across 86 makes
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.
5,532
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
658
distinct campaigns naming a vehicle of this year
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
473

1988 vehicles by owner-reported complaint volume

60 vehicles of 717, most-reported first

1988 model-year vehicles ranked by owner-reported complaint count
#VehicleComplaintsComplaints 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.90 daysRecallsInvestigationsIssue IndexThe Vehicle Issue Index is our own informational metric, not an official safety rating and not a reliability prediction.
1Ford Taurus333062367.9
2Ford Aerostar177051270.9
3Ford Escort14302571.7
4Ford F-15013902670.4
5Mercury Sable126062069.0
6Ford Tempo12602569.2
7Buick Regal1230111266.9
8Ford Mustang10805573.3
9Dodge Caravan10305864.4
10Lincoln Town Car9905271.8
11Jeep Cherokee9704361.9
12Ford Thunderbird9202767.2
13Plymouth Voyager9105866.5
14Ford Ranger8902266.4
15Pontiac Grand Prix880121163.7
16Honda Accord8802160.5
17Lincoln Continental84091168.2
18Oldsmobile Cutlass7406862.5
19Mercury Grand Marquis7303168.9
20Toyota Camry6404867.9
21Ford F-2506203665.0
22Chevrolet Beretta60051764.9
23Nissan Diesel CLA836001043.4
24Nissan Maxima6001263.3
25Chevrolet Astro5605763.5
26Dodge Dakota5503050.5
27Mercury Cougar5501560.2
28Eagle Premier5407256.0
29Ford Bronco5201160.5
30Jeep Wrangler5006970.5
31Chevrolet Corsica46051363.2
32Honda Civic4608363.2
33Ford Bronco Ii4500458.3
34Mazda 6264506361.1
35Ford Festiva4402158.1
36Hyundai Excel43041269.9
37Ford Crown Victoria4202265.0
38Chevrolet Blazer4004161.2
39Chevrolet Celebrity3903554.3
40Oldsmobile 883700453.6
41Chevrolet S103704160.3
42Nissan Sentra3701158.0
43Honda Prelude3506057.6
44Mazda 9293402354.0
45Mazda 3233401151.2
46Acura Legend3302368.0
47Chrysler Lebaron3201152.9
48Chevrolet C15003202055.0
49Pontiac Grand Am3103463.3
50Chevrolet Suburban3004049.0
51Chrysler New Yorker2901144.4
52Ford F-3502904873.5
53Cadillac Deville2801250.3
54Plymouth Sundance2703463.6
55Toyota Corolla2601054.8
56Lincoln Mark Vii2601154.5
57Dodge Colt2501252.7
58Nissan 300ZX2501265.2
59Oldsmobile Ciera2501349.2
60Mazda RX-72400050.8

Showing the 60 most-reported of 717 1988 vehicles. The rest are reachable through their make and model pages.

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.

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

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

1988 Vehicles: Recalls, Complaints & Safety Data · RoadVitals