JeepComanche1988Overview/jeep/comanche/1988/base/

1988 Jeep Comanche

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1988 Comanche.

The 1988 Jeep Comanche calls for 4 quarts of oil with the filter, using 20W-40, 20W-50, or 10W-30 API viscosity grades, while its reliability record shows 11 total owner complaints and zero recalls, with seat belts cited as the top concern. Set against the model’s later 1990–1992 complaint history—a span in which 1990 recorded 14 complaints and 1992 recorded 2—the 1988 model falls between those later figures. That placement, together with its recall-free record, marks it as a moderate year before the documented highs and lows of the early 1990s, giving researchers a useful fixed point in the line’s reliability trajectory.

Model year199119901989198819871986

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length194.1 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height63.8 in
Wheelbase119.7 in

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt w/ filter of 20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-30 API engine oil, Front: 75W- in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilFront: 75W-
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.5 Pints mvc Front
Differential Gear OilFront: 75W-
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4.9 pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil20W-40 · 20W-50 · API · 10W-30 · 10W-40 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt w/ filter

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 52,500 mi; coolant every 22,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 22,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level)
Every 22,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 30,000 miBands (adjust) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · Distributor Vacuum Advance (inspect)
Every 52,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 82,500 miOxygen Sensor (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The provided federal record indicates a downward trend in reported issues from 1990 through 1992, with complaints decreasing from 14 to 2 and recalls reducing from 2 to 0. The 1988 model year precedes this documented timeline and shows distinct safety feedback, specifically 8 complaints focused on Seat Belts alongside 2 regarding Structure and 1 regarding the Electrical System. Although the data does not specify the root causes for these failures, there are zero recorded crash or fire complaints for this target year. However, the concentration of safety system issues is notable compared to the lower complaint counts seen in the 1991 and 1992 model years. Consequently, this is not the optimal year to buy unless the seat belt assembly is confirmed to be free of the reported defects.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
11
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Frontal★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 11 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Seat Belts8
Structure2
Electrical System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Comanche. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1988 Comanche take?

4 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 30 degrees F: 20W-40 OR 20W-50 API, ABOVE 0 degrees F: 10W-30 OR 10W-40 API, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1988 Comanche have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.