Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1987 vs 1988 HONDA CIVIC

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 467 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 21.1% more reports in the equal exposure window

1987 38 complaints 1988 46 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1987 share 1988 share Share change
SEAT BELTS 55.3% 17.4% ▼ 37.9 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10.5% 28.3% ▲ 17.7 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM not reported 13.0% ▲ 13.0 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 5.3% 15.2% ▲ 10.0 pts larger share
TIRES 5.3% not reported ▼ 5.3 pts smaller share
ENGINE 2.6% 6.5% ▲ 3.9 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 5.3% 2.2% ▼ 3.1 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 5.3% 2.2% ▼ 3.1 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 2.6% not reported ▼ 2.6 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE 2.6% 4.4% ▲ 1.7 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 81.6% 78.3% ▼ 3.3 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1987 3

Campaign components: EQUIPMENT, SEAT BELTS, and VISIBILITY

1988 8

Campaign components: EQUIPMENT, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SEAT BELTS, and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
0 → 1
◆ Injuries
7 → 9