1988 Jeep Wrangler Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 32%of 50 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 116,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the fuel system of the 1988 Jeep Wrangler, 32% of the 50 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 116,000 miles. 7 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10358727, filed 2010-10, 116,000 miles“Had underhood fire checked with chrysler to see if there was a recall answer was your VIN was not involved two weeks later got recall notice for the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #966823, filed 1995-06Related recalls
- 94V106000Jun 9, 1994Vehicle description: multipurpose passenger vehicles equipped with plastic fuel tanks. The fuel tank sending unit gasket can crack causing fuel and fuel vapor…Covers: Jeep Wrangler 1987–1994
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 25% |
| 2025 | 24 | 33% |
| 2024 | 195 | 26% |
| 2023 | 67 | 18% |
| 2022 | 73 | 18% |
| 2021 | 142 | 15% |
| 2020 | 43 | 7% |
| 2019 | 10 | 1% |
| 2018 | 21 | 1% |
| 2017 | 15 | 5% |
| 2016 | 14 | 3% |
| 2015 | 15 | 3% |
| 2014 | 19 | 3% |
| 2013 | 33 | 5% |
| 2012 | 45 | 5% |
| 2011 | 99 | 20% |
| 2010 | 228 | 33% |
| 2009 | 80 | 22% |
| 2008 | 140 | 16% |
| 2007 | 114 | 20% |
| 2006 | 479 | 66% |
| 2005 | 448 | 69% |
| 2004 | 12 | 6% |
| 2003 | 11 | 11% |
| 2002 | 4 | 4% |
| 2001 | 7 | 4% |
| 2000 | 11 | 4% |
| 1999 | 6 | 3% |
| 1998 | 20 | 8% |
| 1997 | 58 | 14% |
| 1995 | 13 | 6% |
| 1994 | 38 | 25% |
| 1993 | 32 | 30% |
| 1992 | 25 | 32% |
| 1991 | 18 | 24% |
| 1990 | 20 | 25% |
| 1989 | 19 | 31% |
| 1988 | 16 | 32% |
| 1987 | 14 | 37% |
Other parts of the 1988 Jeep Wrangler
9 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsSeats
7 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1988 Jeep Wrangler
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