FaultScore

1988 Honda Accord seat belt problems

32 of the 102 complaints about the 1988 Honda Accord are about the seat belts — 31% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 200,000 miles.

F

32

Complaints

5

Crashes

0

Fires

5

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Buckle Assembly 18 56.3%
Seat Belts 5 15.6%
Retractor 5 15.6%
Anchorage 3 9.4%
Webbing 1 3.1%

Seat Belts across every Honda Accord year

1986 16 2.3%
1987 34 4.9%
1988 32 4.6%
1989 34 4.9%
1990 36 5.1%
1991 59 8.4%
1992 25 3.6%
1993 18 2.6%
1994 15 2.1%
1995 31 4.4%
1996 17 2.4%
1997 24 3.4%
1998 29 4.1%
1999 22 3.1%
2000 57 8.1%
2001 36 5.1%
2002 40 5.7%
2003 26 3.7%
2004 38 5.4%
2005 28 4.0%
2007 22 3.1%
2008 21 3.0%
2017 12 1.7%
2018 29 4.1%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 200,000 miles Newbury Park, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (HONDA OF THOUSAND OAKS, 3925 AUTO MALL DR, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91362) AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE BECAUSE OF THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. *BF

NHTSA complaint #11065628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 206,000 miles Newbury Park, CA

SEAT BELTS

THIS IS MY 2ND COMPLAINT FOR THE SAME ISSUE...MY FIRST ONE NEVER GOT A RESPONSE AND IT HAS BEEN MONTHS SINCE I SENT IT. PLEASE RESPOND WITH HELP FOR THIS. I WAS REALLY HOPING TO AVOID A LOCAL NEWS STORY FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT I WILL GIVE THIS ONE LAST CHANCE BEFORE I GO THAT ROUTE. MY 1988 HONDA ACCORD LXI HATCHBACK HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE ONE ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. NOW THE ONE IN THE FRONT/PASSENGER SIDE HAS FAILED AND THE SEAT BELT IS HANGING ALL OF THE WAY OUT OF THE DOOR. THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER IS MORE INTERESTED IN SELLING NEW CARS THAN TAKING CARE OF OLD ONES THAT ARE STILL OUT THERE AND RUNNING. THE SEAT BELTS ARE WARRANTEED FOR THE LIFE OT FHE CAR. THE DEALER KEEPS BRUSHING ME OFF AND I AM SICK OF IT. I CAN'T HAVE ANY PASSENGERS IN THE FRONT OF MY CAR BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THEY CAN'T GET THE SEAT BELTS ANYWHERE. THAT IS STRANGE OF THEM TO SAY THAT BECAUSE I WENT ON LINE AND HAVE FOUND THEM FOR AROUND $100 EACH. THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE, SO I AM REACHING OUT TO SOMEONE THAT CAN RESOLVE THIS. PLEASE HELP!!! 2 PICTURES ARE INCLUDED WITH THIS COMPLAINT.

NHTSA complaint #11056238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles Newbury Park, CA

SEAT BELTS

MY 1988 ACCORD HATCHBACK IS HAVING SEATBELT RETRACTOR ISSUES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE ONE A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK. (DIFFERENT COLOR, BUT THAT IS OK). I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE RETRACTOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE SEATBELT COMES ALL THE WAY OUT OF THE DOOR AND WILL NOT RETRACT. THE SEAT BELTS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE GUARANTEED FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER A FEW TIMES AND THEY SAID THEY CAN'T HELP ME...GAVE ME A PHONE # TO HONDA AMERICA TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO. THAT IS A DEAD END TOO. I'M FILING THIS COMPLAINT AS A LAST STITCH EFFORT TO GET SOME HELP WITH THIS ISSUE. I DRIVE MY CAR ON A DAILY BASIS AND A LOT OF TIMES I HAVE A FRONT PASSENGER WHO IS USING A FAILED SAFETY BELT!!! IF THERE IS A CRASH AND MY PASSENGER DIES BECAUSE OF THE FAILED PART, THERE IS GOING TO BE ONE HEFTY LAWSUIT AGAINST HONDA! I DON'T WANT IT TO GET TO THAT POINT, SO I AM HOPING THAT FILING THIS COMPLAINT WILL TAKE IT TO ANOTHER LEVEL. PICTURES ARE ATTACHED (2). ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED. THANK YOU!

NHTSA complaint #11025034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Arlington, TX

SEAT BELTS

THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO OVER HEAT DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE REPLACED THE RADIATOR, RADIATOR HOSE, AND BACK UP FOR THE RADIATOR. ALSO THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT COME UNDONE ONCE SOMEONE HAS LOCKED THEMSELF IN. WE HAVE TO TAKE A SCREW DRIVER TO GET THE LOCK OUT. THE CAR HAS A HARD TIME SHIFTING GEARS AND WHEN IT DOES IT SLAMS INTO GEAR OR WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR.

NHTSA complaint #10069893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Flint, MI

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LAP/SHOULDER BELTS DO NOT RETRACT WHEN BUCKLED THEN RELEASED. DURING AN ABRUPT STOP THE BELT DID NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE PASSENGER. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10020483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Westminster, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE FOR 4 YEARS. I GOT THIS PROBLEM A COUPLE MONTHS A GO. WHEN DRIVING THE BEEPING OF THE FRONT DOOR AND SEATBELT GOES OFF ALL THE TIME. THE HONDA WORLD DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE RECALLED SEATBELT HAS BEEN FIXED. THEY BLAMED THIS IS THE DOOR PROBLEM. IT COSTS TOO MUCH TO FIX AND NOW I'M SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR SINCE I DON'T KNOW THE DOOR OR THE SEATBELT WILL FALL OFF. THE BEEPING GOES OFF EVERY MINUTE AND DRIVING ME CRAZY.

NHTSA complaint #726076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

California, MD

SEAT BELTS

SEAT BELT FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #546647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oxon Hill, MD

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

I WOULD LIKE TO GET THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINT FIXED. HONDA HAD A RECALL ON ALL SEAT BELTS MANUFACTURED. I RECEIVED A RECALL CARD, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ACT DUE TO FACT I WAS OVERSEAS. THE CARD WAS MISPLACED. MY SEAT BELTS ARE NOT RETRACTING. I ONLY WANT A DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. THANK FOR YOU CONSIDERATION TO THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #702606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jacksonville, FL

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

RECALL 95V-103001, DEALER HAS NOT COME UP WITH THE PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #815415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Anchorage, AK

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

SEAT BELT BUCKLE RECALL REPAIR NOT DONE BECAUSE PARTS HAVE NOT YET FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #518516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Noble, OH

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

SEAT BELT REPAIRS PRIOR TO RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #504481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Austin, TX Crash 1 killed

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, OWNER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, DRIVER WHO HAD ON SEAT BELT AT THE TIME, WAS EJECTED OUT OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE SUNROOF, SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN, DRIVER DIED.

NHTSA complaint #801208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Woodstock, VA 1 injured

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

SEAT BELT RELEASED DURING REAR END COLLISION, CAUSING INJURY.

NHTSA complaint #502462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Jose, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT INNER PLASTIC RETAINER RELEASE FAILED, RESULTING IN BUCKLE BEING JAMMED. *DSH

NHTSA complaint #503892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Eatonton, GA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

SEATBELTS FAILED. (SECOND VEHICLE ON 485848) *DSH

NHTSA complaint #601391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Patcho, NY

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

WENT TO GET RECALL WORK DONE AND THE DEALERSHIP RUINED HER CAR FURTHER AND WILL NOT REPAIR IT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA complaint #979372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Patcho, NY

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

WENT TO GET RECALL WORK DONE AND THE DEALERSHIP RUINED HER CAR FURTHER AND WILL NOT REPAIR IT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA complaint #979372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Imperial, CA

SEAT BELTS

DO NOT HAVE THE PART TO FIX RECALL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA complaint #976856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Port BEA, CA Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT CAME LOOSE . TT

NHTSA complaint #972611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fruitland, MD Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT CAME LOOSE AND THROUGH CONSUMER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR CAR WAS TOTALED . TT

NHTSA complaint #972232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oaklawn, 00

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LOCK . TT

NHTSA complaint #970595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tigard, OR

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

THE FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ARE NOT WORKING. TT

NHTSA complaint #969277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Eatonton, GA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

SEAT BELT RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED. (OTHER VEHICLE ON 479680)

NHTSA complaint #486604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bellville, MI Crash 2 injured

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

THE CAR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE DRIVERS SHOULDER HARNESS DID NOT RESTRAIN HIM THEREFORE HE HIT THE WINDOW AND NOW HAS SEIZURES DUE TO INJURY. DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA complaint #967640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Longport, NJ

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FAIL.

NHTSA complaint #481021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Garden City, UT

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

DRIVER/PASS SHOULDER/LAP BELT MALE WON'T CLICK INTO FEMALE, ALSO REAR CENTER LAP BELT COMES UNDONE. TT

NHTSA complaint #966167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ogden, UT

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DOESN'T LOCK, COMES OUT WHEN DRIVING . TT

NHTSA complaint #966006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Deerfield BE, FL Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

CAR WAS IN ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DIDN'T RESTRAIN, THE PERSON WAS BADLY INJURY. TT

NHTSA complaint #965785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Modesto, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

SEAT BELT BUCKLE UNLOCKED ONCE IT HAS BEEN FASTENED PROPERLY. TT

NHTSA complaint #964580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Milwuakee, WI

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE, DOES NOT STAY LATCHED. TT

NHTSA complaint #960401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1988 Honda Accord problems

← Full 1988 Honda Accord report