1988 Jeep Cherokee Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 8%of 97 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1988 Jeep Cherokee, 8% of the 97 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When first starting vehicle, engine would be idling high. Shifted vehicle into drive & it would jump forward. Feet would remain on brakes when this happened. Also happens when engine is warm, high idle continues while driving. Mechanic cleaned the out the unit. Also informed owner it would need replacing after the problem returned.”
NHTSA complaint #850317, filed 1999-10“Vehicle had been parked and turned off. Emergency brakes were applied. Vehicle had started to drift backwards after it slipped out of park and into neutral, problem is intermittent.”
NHTSA complaint #892611, filed 2001-07“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.”
NHTSA complaint #743467, filed 2001-04“While driving on interstate the 4-wheel drive sudddenly engaged, causing front driveshaft to drop to the ground and was then pushed into transfer case, destroying it.”
NHTSA complaint #524187, filed 1997-10Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 33% |
| 2022 | 29 | 56% |
| 2021 | 104 | 59% |
| 2020 | 199 | 60% |
| 2019 | 833 | 50% |
| 2018 | 296 | 43% |
| 2017 | 650 | 49% |
| 2016 | 636 | 45% |
| 2015 | 1,007 | 56% |
| 2014 | 1,471 | 56% |
| 2006 | 2 | 12% |
| 2001 | 24 | 10% |
| 2000 | 29 | 8% |
| 1999 | 53 | 14% |
| 1998 | 65 | 16% |
| 1997 | 47 | 12% |
| 1996 | 60 | 13% |
| 1995 | 43 | 7% |
| 1994 | 38 | 7% |
| 1993 | 44 | 11% |
| 1992 | 15 | 13% |
| 1991 | 13 | 6% |
| 1990 | 17 | 6% |
| 1989 | 9 | 5% |
| 1988 | 8 | 8% |
| 1987 | 4 | 7% |
| 1985 | 2 | 12% |
Other parts of the 1988 Jeep Cherokee
25 complaintsSeat belts
20 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsTires
4 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1988 Jeep Cherokee
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology