1988 Jeep Cherokee speed control problems

The 1988 Jeep Cherokee has 25 speed control complaints filed with NHTSA — 21% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

Speed Control complaints

21%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Speed Control complaints by year

Cherokee speed control complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

97I002000Speed ControlMay 2, 1997 · 1,010,400 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

PEDAL MISAPPLICATION BY A DRIVER CAN CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIFT INTERLOCK ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF THESE VEHICLES.

What owners report

“VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE RUNNING, CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE AND PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE. VEHICLE WENT BACKWARD AT HIGH SPEED, AND HIT PARKED VEHICLE. ACCIDENT REPORT STATED VEHICLE WENT 86 FEET, AND HIT PARKED VEHICLE AT 50 MPH. NO INJURIES. $ 2030 DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER STATED THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 18, 2001 · crash

Common questions

How many speed control complaints does the 1988 Jeep Cherokee have?

NHTSA has 25 complaints about the 1988 Jeep Cherokee speed control — 21% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1988 Jeep Cherokee speed control?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the speed control: 97I002000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.