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1988 Jeep CherokeeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 97 owner complaints about the 1988 Jeep Cherokee, most often about the vehicle speed control. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

82
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years77% below the Cherokee median · #23 of 27 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints9712 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage30kVehicle speed control, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 4, 2010. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Jeep Cherokee has problems

97 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Vehicle speed control254
Seat belts200
Electrical system165
Fuel system, gasoline111
Engine and engine cooling91
Power train80
Service brakes, hydraulic60
Steering50
Tires41
7 other systems90

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

1988 Jeep Cherokee recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1988 vs. every other Cherokee year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cherokee median. How we score

'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'06'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Jeep Cherokee, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FIRES CAUSED BY CLTCH LKPE88001 · closed Jan 28, 1988
    No recall
  2. THROTTLE CONTROLPE88029 · closed Sep 19, 1988
    No recall
  3. SAFETY BELT RETRACTORPE89151 · closed Dec 11, 1989
    No recall
In owners' words

What Cherokee owners report

Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT APPLIED BOTH FEET ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. SUDDENLY, THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO A DITCH. THE DRIVER…
Complaint 10316792 · Mar 4, 2010 · 30,000 miles
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE TO SLOW IT DOWN, ALSO REPLACED 3 STARTER RELAY SWITCHES/ 3 ALTERNATORS/ 3 IGNITION SWITCHES/CRUISE CONTROL/WIRING. *AK
Complaint 987219 · Aug 9, 1996
VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE RUNNING, CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE AND PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE. VEHICLE WENT BACKWARD AT HIGH SPEED, AND HIT PARKED VEHICLE. ACCIDENT REPORT STATED VEHICLE WENT 86 FEET, AND HIT PARKED VEHICLE AT 50 MPH. NO INJURIES. $ 2030 DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER STATED THE…
Complaint 897626 · Oct 11, 2001

Own a 1988 Cherokee?

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