1988 Jeep Cherokee
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 Jeep Cherokee is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 10 on record.
1988 Jeep Cherokee at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1988 Jeep Cherokee recalls 4
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Fix: 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.
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Fix: 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.
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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Fix: 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.
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 IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. DRIVERS CAN MISTAKENLY STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN THEY INTEND TO STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIFT INTERLOCK ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF THESE VEHICLES.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1988 Jeep Cherokee common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 105 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1988 Jeep Cherokee MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 10 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1988 Jeep Cherokee costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1988 Jeep Cherokee — ranges cover the 4 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 3
SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR Closed
===
NHTSA #PE89151 · Seat Belts · opened Aug 1989 · closed Dec 1989THROTTLE CONTROL Closed
SUMMARY: THE PE WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER JEEP'S RECALL OF CERTAIN 1987 MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0 LITER FUEL INJECTED 6 CYLINDER ENGINE (87V-035) HAD INVOLVED ALL THE POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES. A REVIEW OF THE ODI FILES HAD INDICATED THAT 1987-1988 JEEP VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.O LITER ENGINE ALSO WERE EXPERIENCING SOME THROTTLE CONTROL PROBLEM. A REVIEW OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS AND THE AVAIL…
NHTSA #PE88029 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Feb 1988 · closed Sep 1988FIRES CAUSED BY CLTCH LK Closed
NO SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS BEEN DETECTED.===
NHTSA #PE88001 · Power Train · opened Oct 1987 · closed Jan 1988An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 4
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
SUBJECT REGARDING FLOOR PAN CORROSION. *SLC
Bulletin 2302602 · Structure · Jun 2002SUBJECT ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTIFICATION #733--BRAKE PEDAL SHIFT INTERLOCK. *YC
Bulletin 98733 · Power Train · Dec 1997NEW FRONT OUTPUT SEAL AND OIL SLINGER FOR TRANSFER CASE. *TW
Bulletin 212194 · Power Train · Nov 1994REDESIGNED LIFTGATE LATCH. *TW
Bulletin 231693 · Latches/locks/linkages · Mar 1993Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CHEROKEE. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 1
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1988 Jeep Cherokee. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Emissions
NOTE: JEEP VEHICLES WITH 4.0 LITRE ENGINES, RENAULT VEHICLES WITH 2.0 LITRE ENGINES AND EAGLE PREMIER VEHICLES WITH 2.5 AND 3 LITRE ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. FAULTY OXYGEN SENSOR COULD LEAD TO POOR FUEL/AIR CONTROL AND REDUCED CATALYST EFFICIENCY WHICH MAY INCREASE TAILPIPE EMISSIONS. CORRECTION: OXYGEN SENSOR WILL BE REPLAC…
Transport Canada #1993071 · May 1993Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Jeep Cherokee
The Jeep Cherokee is a line of sport utility vehicles (SUV) manufactured and marketed by Jeep over six generations. Marketed initially as a variant of the Jeep Wagoneer (SJ), the Cherokee has evolved from a full-size station wagon to one of the first compact SUVs and into its latest generation as a crossover SUV.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
1988 Jeep Cherokee vehicles on record
1988 Jeep Cherokee1J4FJ38L5KL439441
1988 Jeep Cherokee1JEMT785EJT122335
1988 Jeep Cherokee1JCMT7899JT031881
1988 Jeep Cherokee1JCWB7569ET042679
1988 Jeep Cherokee1JCMR7841JT141066
1988 Jeep Cherokee1JEBL783AJT086186
1988 Jeep Cherokee1JCML7742JT114509
1988 Jeep Cherokee1JCML7840JT011054
1988 Jeep Cherokee1JEBL783AJT070819
1988 Jeep Cherokee1JEMT785EJT182559