1988 Jeep CHEROKEE: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10016461 · 2003-04-24 (April 24, 2003)
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.. THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THESE OLDER JEEP CHEROKEE SEAT BELT BUCKLES... THIS IS THE SECOND OLDER JEEP THAT WE HAVE OWNER THAT HAS HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM.. THE LAST TIME THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY.. THIS TIME THEY WON'T AND SAY THEY DON'T HAVE TO.. THIS BUCKLE SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE NO MATTER HOW OLD IT GETS…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,544 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016461 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019694 · 2003-05-12 (May 12, 2003)
THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. *JB THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN LOUD NOISE HAD COME FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED TO THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. (MODEL PEERLESS FORCE 4) *SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019694 at NHTSA ↗
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 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 10160210 · 2006-06-19 (June 19, 2006)
DT* THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHOULDER PART OF THE SEAT BELT STRAP DOES NOT LOCK UP. HAS HAD VEHICLE FOR 5 YEARS AND THE SEAT BELTS IN THE FRONT DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND HAVE NEVER FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THEY SHOULD LOCK UP WHEN VEHICLE BREAKS BUT THEY DO NOT. UPDATED 7/13/2006 - *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 189,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10160210 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10316792 · 2010-03-04 (March 4, 2010)
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. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO A DITCH. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A LOOSE WIRE IN THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE AND THE THROTTLE BODY SENS…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10316792 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 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 ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.