1988 Jeep Wrangler

▲ Better than typical
1988 Jeep Wrangler
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:55:06.439Z

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 Wrangler Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1988 highlighted. 1986: 1 complaints 1986 1987: 41 complaints 1988: 53 complaints 1988 1989: 63 complaints 1990: 80 complaints 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 77 complaints 1992 1993: 109 complaints 1994: 159 complaints 1995: 202 complaints 1996: 2 complaints 1997: 401 complaints 1998: 265 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 251 complaints 2001: 170 complaints 2002: 108 complaints 2003: 98 complaints 2004: 192 complaints 2004 2005: 649 complaints 2006: 730 complaints 2007: 555 complaints 2008: 873 complaints 2009: 371 complaints 2010: 686 complaints 2010 2011: 485 complaints 2012: 833 complaints 2013: 650 complaints 2014: 654 complaints 2015: 469 complaints 2016: 460 complaints 2016 2017: 309 complaints 2018: 1811 complaints 2019: 737 complaints 2020: 607 complaints 2021: 910 complaints 2022: 383 complaints 2022 2023: 344 complaints 2024: 686 complaints 2025: 62 complaints 2026: 9 complaints 2026
1988: 53 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19840
19850
19861
198741
198853
198963
199080
199177
199277
1993109
1994159
1995202
19962
1997401
1998265
1999213
2000251
2001170
2002108
200398
2004192
2005649
2006730
2007555
2008873
2009371
2010686
2011485
2012833
2013650
2014654
2015469
2016460
2017309
20181811
2019737
2020607
2021910
2022383
2023344
2024686
202562
20269

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 32%

32% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing fuel pump and tank assembly.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

DRIVING DOWN EXPRESSWAY PARKED CAR AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950329

FUEL SENDING UNIT GASKET CRACKED, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK OUT OF TANK, RESULTING IN FIRES PRIOR TO RECALL (94V-106). *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19950324

FUEL TANK LEAKS GAS ONTO TAIL PIPE/EMITS GASOLINE ODOR AFTER FILLING TANK.

NHTSA ODI report, 19930802

SEATS 15%

15% of complaints: seats — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing recliner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 15%

15% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

FIRE
PARKING BRAKE 11%

11% of complaints: parking brake — 6 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing conventional.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100312

EMERGENCY BRAKE LOOSE WHILE PARKED ON A HILL. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950503

1989 AND NEWER HAVE BEEN RECALLED, WHAT ABOUT MY 1988? MR

NHTSA ODI report, 20021022

SEAT BELTS 8%

8% of complaints: seat belts — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing buckle assembly.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19890412 — visibility

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.

Campaign 88V155000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19890811 — PE (closed 19891211)

SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR

I 19920205 — PE (closed 19920522)

FUEL TANK/EXHAUST INTERFER

I 19920522 — EA (closed 19930528)

FUEL TANK/EXHAUST INTERFER

I 19920909 — PE (closed 19930129)

EXHAUST SYSTEM FIRES

R 19930226 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 LE

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 FA

Campaign 92V148000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19931215 — EA (closed 19940617)

SENDING UNIT GASKET FAILS

I 19940426 — PE (closed 19940830)

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

I 19940830 — EA (closed 19970930)

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

R 19950103 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Campaign 94V106000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19950327 — PE (closed 19950728)

SEAT BACK FAILURE

I 19971027 — RQ (closed 19980630)

FUEL LEAKAGE

R 20040616 — equipment

BESTOP AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS,MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 27 AND MAY 20, 2004, DESIGNED FOR USE WITH THE BESTOP HARDTOP MADE FOR THE 1986-1995 AND 1997-2003 JEEP WRANGLER. THE COCKPIT COVE

Remedy: BESTOP WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A

Campaign 04E041000 — 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 20071015 — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHIC

Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

Campaign 07E064000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 Jeep Wrangler — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (17 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seats issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 88V155000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 92V148000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 94V106000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04E041000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E064000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1987 ▲ 2025 ▲ 1989

WORST YEARS

■ 2018 ■ 2021 ■ 2008

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1988 Jeep Wrangler reliable?

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

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

The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1988 Jeep Wrangler have?

6 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.