1988 Jeep Wrangler
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › Jeep › Wrangler › 1988
These records cover every 1988 Jeep Wrangler. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
6 recalls name the 1988 Jeep Wrangler. Newest first.
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 vehicles listed above. the fuel pump diaphragm in certain production runs may have been improperly installed or inadequately tested which may cause the fuel pump…
Risk and remedy
Risk
A leaking fuel pump could create a vehicle fire hazard.
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
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.
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 cover may not stay latched to the roof rack because the latch bracket mispositions the rotary latch to the cockpit cover. as a result, the cockpit cover may not…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Should this occur, the cockpit could cause injury by striking persons outside the vehicle or could become a distraction or an obstacle to other drivers, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
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 reasonable time should contact bestop customer service department at (800) 845-3567.
Vehicle description: multipurpose passenger vehicles equipped with plastic fuel tanks. the fuel tank sending unit gasket can crack causing fuel and fuel vapor leaks.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Fuel and fuel vapor leaked from the fuel tank can result in fire when exposed to a source of ignition.
Remedy
Replace the fuel tank sending unit gasket.
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 left front brake hose can occur due to movement of the splash shield in certain vehicle operating conditions.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Either condition can cause loss of front brake systemfunctions, resulting in increased stopping distances and an increased risk ofvehicle accident.
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 fasteners installed to further secure the left side splash shield. Also, the left front brake hose will be inspected and replaced as necessary.
Windshield frame metal may crack at the wiper arm pivot mountings due to metal stress during wiper operation.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This can cause dislocation and binding of the wipersystem linkage which, in inclement weather, could affect driver visibility andresult in an accident.
Remedy
Retrofit with a windshield frame reinforcement at the wiper pivot locations and redesigned linkage components to reduce stress at the pivot mountings.
Owner complaints
50 complaints4 involved a crash10 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Fuel system, gasoline
When filling my 1988 jeep wrangler with gasoline, the gasoline tank will overflow with gasoline before the pump will shut-off. this happens every time I fill up, regardless of orientation of the vehicle (i.e. Up hill, down hill, level). the only way I can try and prevent this hazardous situation…
When filling my 1988 jeep wrangler with gasoline, the gasoline tank will overflow with gasoline before the pump will shut-off. this happens every time I fill up, regardless of orientation of the vehicle (i.e. Up hill, down hill, level). the only way I can try and prevent this hazardous situation from occurring IS to try and prematurely stop the flow of gasoline. since I have to guess at how much gasoline IS required to complete the fill up, and I'm not always correct, this doesn't always work. because this occurs, it has caused damage to both the plastic surrounding the gasoline filler and the paint beneath it. *Tr
- Parking brake
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. everytime it would happen, it would happen right away and I would simply re-engage it, except for this last time it happened. I…
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. everytime it would happen, it would happen right away and I would simply re-engage it, except for this last time it happened. I had my jeep parked in my driveway with the parking brake engaged. while I was at school, the parking brake failed again and disengaged. my jeep, then, rolled down my driveway and hit a tree in my backyard. this happened just the other day and it IS still in the same position as I found it when I came home. I have not done anything to fix it yet. *Tr
- Visibility › Windshield
Consumer stated water leaked through the front windshield. ts *jb
- Parking brake › Conventional
1989 and newer have been recalled, what about my 1988? mr
- Parking brake › Conventional
Have replace parking brake assy twice since purchased. Crash was into my house when parking brake disengaged in driveway. *ak
- Visibility › Windshield
Windshield frame severely rusted after windshield frame replaced by dealer on tsb 271T . Both dealer and chrysler customer support refuse to acknowledge inherent metal failure of replacement frame especially when proven that the original car body exhibits no rust while the replacement frame installed at a latter date exhibits severe rust.*ak
- Parking brake › Conventional
The parking brake on my jeep has a tendancy to disengage without warning. before I was aware of this defect, it disengaged in a parking lot and caused my jeep to roll back onto a new ford mustang, causing considerable damage to the other vehicle, and appearing on my insurance record as a failure on my part to engage the brake.
- Seats
The seat tracks on the jeep wrangler model fail, with the metal tearing where a bolt fastens into the seat. This causes seat instability and can cause wrecks or injuries. I found out more than 70 of the same parts are on back order, with no date for arrival given. My first track broke last year, my…
The seat tracks on the jeep wrangler model fail, with the metal tearing where a bolt fastens into the seat. This causes seat instability and can cause wrecks or injuries. I found out more than 70 of the same parts are on back order, with no date for arrival given. My first track broke last year, my second yesterday. I've had an order in for both for a month now. I believe the high number of orders shows a dangerous, potentially deadly risk to drivers where the model IS sold. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control
Fuel fumes.no leaks. Contacted dealer. *Ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Trouble with recall work, consumer had additional charges when recall repair work was done on the fuel tank sending unit.
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Drivers side seat belt latch will not buckle.
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Exhaust manifold cracked.
- Parking brake › Conventional
Emergency brake disengages by itself regardless if on a hill or not. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Tail pipe IS angled and the end IS on the edge of the rear bumper.
- Electrical system › Ignition · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Intermittent stalling due to engine failures. also replaced ignition. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
Vehicle fire was caused by a crack in the fuel line. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump · Service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel pump and brakes recalled. owner interested in rights as a consumer with reguard to recalls.
- Electrical system › Wiring
While driving experienced sudden engine stalling, pulled to side, noticed flames coming from under body, fire spread from engine to cab, vehicle totaled. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Power train › Automatic transmission
The mount that holds the transmission in place IS held on with two bolts, both heads sheared off; also, replaced leaking engine valve cover. *ak
- Unknown or other
Everytime it rains, puddles of water develop on the driver's and passenger's side. the water comes from within the dashboard. Please give more information. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
When driving at high speed the vehicle cut off without any warning. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Consumer was driving and the jeep stalled, went to open the hood and the engine was on fire . *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Brake fluid line IS rubbing against mud flap, and has worn though it. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Fuel tank caught fire after recall. *Sd
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Driving vehicle, vehicle caught fire, took vehicle to dealer, found nothing wrong, picked vehicle up, caught fire again while driving. *ak *jb
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Fuel leakage
Odi has received 6 reports on fuel leakage and 3 reports on alleged remedy failure reports
- Seat back failure
There is no summary currently available
- Seat belt buckle failure
There is no summary currently available
- Seat belt buckle failure
There is no summary currently available
- Sending unit gasket fails
There is no summary currently available
- Exhaust system fires
There is no summary currently available
- Fuel tank/exhaust interfer
There is no summary currently available
- Fuel tank/exhaust interfer
There is no summary currently available
- Safety belt retractor
===
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10175510DIPAP Requirements - Addition of Jeep Wrangler (JL/JK) and Jeep Gladiator (JT) Hard Top and Targa Top Panel Replacements - All Dealers (Rev. A)
- 43049Unknown
- 43048Unknown
Every Jeep Wrangler model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.