1988 Jeep Cherokee Recalls, Complaints & Specs
No safety recalls list the 1988 Jeep Cherokee, and owners have filed 97 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
- 1973
- 1974
- 1975
- 1976
- 1977
- 1978
- 1979
- 1980
- 1981
- 1982
- 1983
- 1984
- 1985
- 1986
- 1987
- 1988
- 1989
- 1990
- 1991
- 1992
- 1993
- 1994
- 1995
- 1996
- 1997
- 1998
- 1999
- 2000
- 2001
- 2006
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2026
No safety recalls on record
NHTSA's recall database lists no safety campaigns that include the 1988 Jeep Cherokee. That is good news, with two caveats: recalls can be issued at any time (this page refreshes daily), and a recall filed under a related model name may not appear here. The VIN check above queries NHTSA directly for your exact vehicle.
97 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1988 Jeep Cherokee have filed 97 complaints with NHTSA; 4 describe a crash and 6 describe a fire. Reports cite 3 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 98,181 miles. Complaints peaked in 1997 with 17 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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 remove”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 4, 2010 · Vehicle speed control
“Dt* the contact stated that the shoulder part of the seat belt strap does not lock up. Has had vehicle for 5 years and the seat belts in the front do not function properly and have never functioned pr”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 19, 2006 · Seat belts
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1988 Jeep Cherokee (Cherokee 2WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 16–21 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 15–19 / 20–24 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2.5/4 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Jeep Cherokee model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Jeep Cherokee model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 Jeep Cherokee | 0 | 1 |
| 1974 Jeep Cherokee | 3 | 0 |
| 1975 Jeep Cherokee | 5 | 0 |
| 1976 Jeep Cherokee | 4 | 0 |
| 1977 Jeep Cherokee | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 Jeep Cherokee | 2 | 1 |
| 1979 Jeep Cherokee | 2 | 0 |
| 1980 Jeep Cherokee | 3 | 1 |
| 1981 Jeep Cherokee | 2 | 1 |
| 1982 Jeep Cherokee | 2 | 0 |
| 1983 Jeep Cherokee | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 Jeep Cherokee | 3 | 7 |
| 1985 Jeep Cherokee | 3 | 17 |
| 1986 Jeep Cherokee | 4 | 21 |
| 1987 Jeep Cherokee | 5 | 57 |
| 1988 Jeep Cherokee | 0 | 97 |
| 1989 Jeep Cherokee | 3 | 191 |
| 1990 Jeep Cherokee | 5 | 270 |
| 1991 Jeep Cherokee | 5 | 233 |
| 1992 Jeep Cherokee | 1 | 113 |
| 1993 Jeep Cherokee | 3 | 418 |
| 1994 Jeep Cherokee | 5 | 519 |
| 1995 Jeep Cherokee | 6 | 608 |
| 1996 Jeep Cherokee | 6 | 447 |
| 1997 Jeep Cherokee | 4 | 390 |
| 1998 Jeep Cherokee | 5 | 399 |
| 1999 Jeep Cherokee | 2 | 366 |
| 2000 Jeep Cherokee | 1 | 369 |
| 2001 Jeep Cherokee | 2 | 229 |
| 2006 Jeep Cherokee | 0 | 17 |
| 2014 Jeep Cherokee | 13 | 2,648 |
| 2015 Jeep Cherokee | 11 | 1,789 |
| 2016 Jeep Cherokee | 9 | 1,409 |
| 2017 Jeep Cherokee | 6 | 1,336 |
| 2018 Jeep Cherokee | 7 | 687 |
| 2019 Jeep Cherokee | 11 | 1,653 |
| 2020 Jeep Cherokee | 3 | 316 |
| 2021 Jeep Cherokee | 4 | 168 |
| 2022 Jeep Cherokee | 3 | 51 |
| 2023 Jeep Cherokee | 1 | 3 |
| 2026 Jeep Cherokee | 4 | 6 |
Checking a specific 1988 Jeep Cherokee
How do I know if my 1988 Jeep Cherokee has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Jeep dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number.
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Jeep models
- Grand Cherokee29,093 complaints
- Wrangler15,984 complaints
- Liberty8,881 complaints
- Compass3,705 complaints
- Patriot2,790 complaints
- Commander2,752 complaints
- Renegade2,202 complaints
- Wrangler 4-DR 4X41,366 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.