MYRModel Year Report

1988 Jeep Cherokee

▲ Better than typical
1988 Jeep Cherokee
RENDERED 2026-11-01T11:38:58.759Z

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
98
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1988

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Vehicle speed control

26% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 1 complaint 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 7 complaints 1985: 17 complaints 1986: 21 complaints 1987: 57 complaints 1988: 98 complaints 1988 98 1989: 191 complaints 1990: 275 complaints 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: 2,650 complaints 2015: 1,791 complaints 2016: 1,411 complaints 2016 2017: 1,335 complaints 2018: 685 complaints 2019: 1,659 complaints 2020: 314 complaints 2021: 171 complaints 2021 2022: 49 complaints 2023: 3 complaints 2026: 9 complaints
1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 1 complaint 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 0 complaints 1983 1984: 7 complaints 1985: 17 complaints 1986: 21 complaints 1986 1987: 57 complaints 1988: 98 complaints 1988 98 1989: 191 complaints 1990: 275 complaints 1991: 234 complaints 1992: 114 complaints 1992 1993: 418 complaints 1994: 522 complaints 1995: 610 complaints 1995 1996: 447 complaints 1997: 390 complaints 1998: 399 complaints 1998 1999: 366 complaints 2000: 369 complaints 2001: 229 complaints 2001 2006: 17 complaints 2014: 2,650 complaints 2015: 1,791 complaints 2015 2016: 1,411 complaints 2017: 1,335 complaints 2018: 685 complaints 2018 2019: 1,659 complaints 2020: 314 complaints 2021: 171 complaints 2021 2022: 49 complaints 2023: 3 complaints 2026: 9 complaints 2026
1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 1 complaint 1982: 0 complaints 1982 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 7 complaints 1984 1985: 17 complaints 1986: 21 complaints 1986 1987: 57 complaints 1988: 98 complaints 1988 98 1989: 191 complaints 1990: 275 complaints 1990 1991: 234 complaints 1992: 114 complaints 1992 1993: 418 complaints 1994: 522 complaints 1994 1995: 610 complaints 1996: 447 complaints 1996 1997: 390 complaints 1998: 399 complaints 1998 1999: 366 complaints 2000: 369 complaints 2000 2001: 229 complaints 2006: 17 complaints 2006 2014: 2,650 complaints 2015: 1,791 complaints 2015 2016: 1,411 complaints 2017: 1,335 complaints 2017 2018: 685 complaints 2019: 1,659 complaints 2019 2020: 314 complaints 2021: 171 complaints 2021 2022: 49 complaints 2023: 3 complaints 2023 2026: 9 complaints

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
20142,650
20151,791
20161,411
20171,335
2018685
20191,659
2020314
2021171
202249
20233
20269

Known problem areas

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

Vehicle speed control

26% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and linkages.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2010-03-04

The throttle stuck and the vehicle shot forewad and caused a serious accident. Please describe.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-05-20

Seat belts

20% · 20 reports

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, 2003-04-24

Electrical system

19% · 19 reports

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-12-04

Insulation around battery wire came loose, therefore positive and negative came in contact and resulted in fire. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-02-08

Fuel system, gasoline

11% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing fuel injection system and injectors.

FIRE

Engine and engine cooling

9% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

FIRE

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1987-10-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-01-28 Fires caused by cltch lk
  2. I
    1988-02-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-09-19 Throttle control
  3. I
    1989-08-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-12-11 Safety belt retractor
  4. R
    1997-09-15Vehicle speed control97I002000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a shift interlock on the automatic transmission of these vehicles.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1988 Jeep Cherokee — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Vehicle speed control: 25 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 20 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 19 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97I002000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.