Model year record

1988 Honda Civic

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 51 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V103001

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Vehicles affected
3,700,000
Reported to NHTSA
1995-05-24
Owners notified
1995-05-19

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

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 SECURELY LOCKED, THEN PRESS THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS ANY SIGN OF BREAKAGE OR CRACKING, OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, PROMPTLY CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED HONDA/ACURA DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.

Recall campaignNHTSA 87V173000

Vehicle speed control: cruise control

Component
Vehicle speed control: cruise control
Manufacturer
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Vehicles affected
4,514
Reported to NHTSA
1987-11-13
Owners notified
1987-11-12

Defect description

ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION CONTROL UNIT MAY CAUSE IDLE SPEED TO INCREASE BY ABOUT 550 RPM WHILE CAR IS STOPPED IN GEAR.

Safety risk

HIGHER THAN NORMAL IDLE COULD CREATE POTENTIAL FOR LOSSOF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION CONTROL UNIT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 87V171000

Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual

Component
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual
Manufacturer
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Vehicles affected
99,088
Reported to NHTSA
1987-10-29
Owners notified
1987-11-19

Defect description

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

Safety risk

VEHICLES MANUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS210.

Manufacturer remedy

UPGRADE EXISTING MANUALS BY INSERTING ADHESIVE BACKED CORRECTION PAGES.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Vehicle speed control7
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly6
Vehicle speed control: cruise control6
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system4
Electrical system: ignition3
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Structure: frame and members2
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1150,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Power train1
Seat belts1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seats1
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm1
Unknown or other1
Vehicle speed control: cables1

The 1987 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1989 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.