Model year guide

1988 Jeep grand wagoneer

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 Jeep grand wagoneer is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1988 Jeep grand wagoneer — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1988 Jeep grand wagoneer at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints3
Combined11 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1988 Jeep grand wagoneer recalls 1

Visibility:glass, Side/rear NHTSA Campaign #87V178000 · 23/11/1987

THE KEY OPERATED TAILGATE WINDOW WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSE IF THE SPRING LOADED KEY DOES NOT RETURN TO OFF POSITION WHEN RELEASED.

Fix: OWNERS SHOULD NOT LEAVE KEY IN TAILGATE OF UNATTENDED VEHICLE. REPAIR MECHANISM TO ASSURE PROPER KEY RETURN OPERATION.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 7 Oct 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 grand wagoneer common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Other
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1988 Jeep grand wagoneer MPG & running costs

Combined11 mpg
City10 mpg
Highway12 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$6,100
EPA size classSpecial Purpose Vehicles
TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$18,500 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1988 Jeep grand wagoneer costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$30,500
Fuel only$30,500
Per mile$0.41

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.

1988 Jeep grand wagoneer trims & engines on record

Engines
5.9L 8-cyl

1988 Jeep grand wagoneer vehicles on record

1988 Jeep grand wagoneer 1988 Jeep grand wagoneer1JCNJ15U8JT028499

Other Jeep grand wagoneer model years

1984

1988 Jeep grand wagoneer — frequently asked questions

Does the 1988 Jeep grand wagoneer have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1988 Jeep grand wagoneer. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Jeep grand wagoneer?

Across all 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are fuel system, power train, gasoline.

What gas mileage does the 1988 Jeep grand wagoneer get?

The 1988 Jeep grand wagoneer has a U.S. EPA estimate of 11 mpg combined (10 city / 12 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.