MYRModel Year Report

1988 Jeep Cherokee

▲ Better than typical
1988 Jeep Cherokee
RENDERED 2026-09-17T00:48:52.801Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Jeep Cherokee Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1988 highlighted. 1980: 1 complaints 1980 1981: 1 complaints 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 7 complaints 1985: 17 complaints 1985 1986: 21 complaints 1987: 57 complaints 1988: 98 complaints 1988 1989: 191 complaints 1990: 275 complaints 1990 1991: 234 complaints 1992: 114 complaints 1993: 418 complaints 1994: 522 complaints 1995: 610 complaints 1995 1996: 447 complaints 1997: 390 complaints 1998: 399 complaints 1999: 366 complaints 2000: 369 complaints 2000 2001: 229 complaints 2006: 17 complaints 2014: 2645 complaints 2015: 1784 complaints 2016: 1406 complaints 2016 2017: 1331 complaints 2018: 683 complaints 2019: 1628 complaints 2020: 288 complaints 2021: 156 complaints 2021 2022: 48 complaints 2023: 3 complaints 2026: 5 complaints 2026
1988: 98 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19801
19811
19820
19830
19847
198517
198621
198757
198898
1989191
1990275
1991234
1992114
1993418
1994522
1995610
1996447
1997390
1998399
1999366
2000369
2001229
200617
20142645
20151784
20161406
20171331
2018683
20191628
2020288
2021156
202248
20233
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 26%

26% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 25 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal and linkages.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100304

THE THROTTLE STUCK AND THE VEHICLE SHOT FOREWAD AND CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960520

SEAT BELTS 20%

20% of complaints: seat belts — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing buckle assembly and rear/other.

Show complaint excerpts

JEEP CHEROKEE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DOES NOT STAY LATCHED... THE MECHANISM HAS COLLAPSED INSIDE THE BUCKLE.. DAIMLER-CHRYSLER REFUSES TO REPLACE THIS PART OF THE SEAT BELT UNDER WARRANTY..

NHTSA ODI report, 20030424

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%

19% of complaints: electrical system — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and interior/under dash.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING AND PULLING INTO A STOP, VEHICLE BECAME FILLED WITH SMOKE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI report, 19961204

INSULATION AROUND BATTERY WIRE CAME LOOSE, THEREFORE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE CAME IN CONTACT AND RESULTED IN FIRE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950208

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 11%

11% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing fuel injection system and injectors.

FIRE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19871023 — PE (closed 19880128)

FIRES CAUSED BY CLTCH LK

I 19880223 — PE (closed 19880919)

THROTTLE CONTROL

I 19890811 — PE (closed 19891211)

SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR

R 19970915 — vehicle speed control

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPR

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIFT INTERLOCK ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF THESE VEHICLES.

Campaign 97I002000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 Jeep Cherokee — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (25 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 97I002000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2022 ▲ 1987 ▲ 1992

WORST YEARS

■ 2014 ■ 2015 ■ 2019

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1988 Jeep Cherokee reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1988 Jeep Cherokee is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Jeep Cherokee?

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1988 Jeep Cherokee have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.