RecallMyCar

1988 Jeep Wrangler Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 1988 Jeep Wrangler, and owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

3
safety recalls
50
owner complaints to NHTSA
4 / 10
complaints citing a crash / fire
14–17
MPG combined (EPA)

3 safety recalls for the 1988 Jeep Wrangler

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Fuel pump (fuel system)

    NHTSA 94V106000 Reported 230,000 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Vehicle description: multipurpose passenger vehicles equipped with plastic fuel tanks. The fuel tank sending unit gasket can crack causing fuel and fuel vapor leaks.

    Remedy: Replace the fuel tank sending unit gasket.

  2. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

    NHTSA 92V148000 Reported 280,000 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    On 1987 through early 1990 models, both front brake hoses can wear due to direct contact with the wheel opening splash shields. On the late 1990 through 1992 models, periodic rubbing contact of the left front brake hose can occur due to movement of the splash shield in certain vehicle operating conditions.

    Remedy: The 1987 to 1990 model vehicles will have both splash shields replaced and both front brake hoses replaced as necessary. All affected late 1990 through 1992 model year vehicles will have additional fasteners installed…

  3. Linkages (visibility)

    NHTSA 88V155000 Reported 75,000 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Windshield frame metal may crack at the wiper arm pivot mountings due to metal stress during wiper operation.

    Remedy: Retrofit with a windshield frame reinforcement at the wiper pivot locations and redesigned linkage components to reduce stress at the pivot mountings.

50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1988 Jeep Wrangler have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA; 4 describe a crash and 10 describe a fire. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 73,087 miles. Complaints peaked in 1995 with 24 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“When filling my 1988 jeep wrangler with gasoline, the gasoline tank will overflow with gasoline before the pump will shut-off. This happens every time i fill up, regardless of orientation of the vehic”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 1, 2010 · Fuel system, gasoline

“I recently bought a 1988 jeep wrangler. I have only had it for a few weeks. I started to notice that sometimes when i engage the parking brake, it fails and releases. Everytime it would happen, it wou”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 12, 2010 · Parking brake

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1988 Jeep Wrangler (Wrangler 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined14–17 mpg
City / Highway14–16 / 15–20
FuelRegular
EPA classSpecial Purpose Vehicles
Engine4/6 cyl, 2.5/4.2 L
TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Jeep Wrangler model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Jeep Wrangler model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1986 Jeep Wrangler01
1987 Jeep Wrangler538
1988 Jeep Wrangler350
1989 Jeep Wrangler462
1990 Jeep Wrangler479
1991 Jeep Wrangler676
1992 Jeep Wrangler477
1993 Jeep Wrangler3108
1994 Jeep Wrangler2151
1995 Jeep Wrangler1202
1996 Jeep Wrangler02
1997 Jeep Wrangler3401
1998 Jeep Wrangler2265
1999 Jeep Wrangler1213
2000 Jeep Wrangler1251
2001 Jeep Wrangler3170
2002 Jeep Wrangler2108
2003 Jeep Wrangler098
2004 Jeep Wrangler1192
2005 Jeep Wrangler1650
2006 Jeep Wrangler3730
2007 Jeep Wrangler8557
2008 Jeep Wrangler7873
2009 Jeep Wrangler6372
2010 Jeep Wrangler10686
2011 Jeep Wrangler10485
2012 Jeep Wrangler9834
2013 Jeep Wrangler6654
2014 Jeep Wrangler4654
2015 Jeep Wrangler3474
2016 Jeep Wrangler5461
2017 Jeep Wrangler5310
2018 Jeep Wrangler141,824
2019 Jeep Wrangler9742
2020 Jeep Wrangler12611
2021 Jeep Wrangler15945
2022 Jeep Wrangler15399
2023 Jeep Wrangler14366
2024 Jeep Wrangler11734
2025 Jeep Wrangler469
2026 Jeep Wrangler310

Checking a specific 1988 Jeep Wrangler

How do I know if my 1988 Jeep Wrangler 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. 3 campaigns currently list the 1988 Jeep Wrangler; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

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 (for example 88V155000).

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

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.