1988 Jeep CHEROKEE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
59 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
75,544 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 59 complaints (20.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 13.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 10.2% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 10.2% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 8.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 10 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 12; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 10; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 4; Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors: 3; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 56 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 15 |
| 1996 | 11 |
| 2000 | 14 |
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
1995: 15; 1996: 11; 2000: 14; 2001: 12; 2002: 1; 2003: 3; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10042795 · 2003-10-12 (October 12, 2003)
VEHICLE FAILED EMISSIONS DUE TO A HIGH HYDROCARBON OUTPUT/ PROBLEMS WITH LIGHTS, BRAKES, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, STARTER, AND SEAT BELTS. *MR THERE WAS A CRACK FOUND IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042795 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 561105 · 2001-05-08 (May 8, 2001)
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS SET ON CRUISE CONTROL AT 60 MPH, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO INCREASE SPEED FOR NO APPARENT REASON, CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO INCREASE SPEED CONSUMER TRIED THE ON-OFF SWITCH OF THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT IT HAD NO EFFECT, AND ALSO STEPPING ON THE BRAKED HAD NO EFFECT, VEHICLE HAD REACHED 75 MPH CONSUMER REALIZED VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL SO HE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES HE MANAGED TO DRIFT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 561105 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480295 · 1995-01-30 (January 30, 1995)
LUG ON WIRE AT FUEL PUMP END WAS IMPROPERLY CRIMPED WHEN ASSEMBLED, CAUSING LUG TO OVERHEAT/INSULATION ON WIRING TO BURN OFF. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480295 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 729145 · 2000-08-26 (August 26, 2000)
ENGINE IDLES DANGEROUSLY HIGH AT TIMES. WILL GO TO 3000RPM AND STAY THERE. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT MAKING VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE/UNRELIABLE/USELESS. DEALER REFUSED TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR DUE TO WIRING HARNESS BEING TAMPERED WITH BUT THE DEALER DID THIS ON PREVIOUS REPAIRS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 729145 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10112826 · 2005-02-22 (February 22, 2005)
UPON PULLING OUT THE DRIVEWAY POWER STEERING WAS LOST. THE GEAR BOX DROPPED. THERE WAS ANOTHER FRAME WELDED TO THE ORIGINAL FRAME. FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10112826 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481346 · 1995-03-06 (March 6, 1995)
VEHICLE FRAME BROKE AT STEERING BOX DUE TO METAL FATIGUE, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481346 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 735666 · 2000-11-03 (November 3, 2000)
WHEN I COME TO A STOP SIGN, AND AM STOPPED,AND I HAVE TO TURN EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS SLIGHTLY TURNED AND I RELEASE THE FOOT BRAKE AND APPLY THE GAS, THE ENGINE WILL COMPLETLEY STALL, UNLESS I MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL MORE AND THEN IT MAY CATCH AND START RUNNING AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS NO MATTER WHICH DIRECTION I ATTEMPT TO TURN AND THE STALLING MAY PUT ME A FEW FEET OUT INTO THE LINE OF TRAFFIC. I HAVE TO QUICKLY PUT THE SHIFT GEAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH AGAIN AND THE ENGINE WILL EIMMEDIATELY START. THIS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 735666 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 743467 · 2001-04-03 (April 3, 2001)
ONE TRANSMISSION REPLACED THE SECOND IS FAILING IT SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL CAUSING LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ALSO CAUSED ONE ENGINE FAILURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 743467 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 743173 · 2001-03-27 (March 27, 2001)
STRONG FUEL SMELL, THROTLE STICKS, ENGINE SURGE, TOLD BY AAA FUEL INJECTOR RECALL COMING? IF YES, WHEN?
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 743173 at NHTSA ↗