Hyundai Excel Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 312 consumer complaints across the 11 model years of the Hyundai Excel (1986–2001) that have at least 5 complaints. 1989 has the most, with 68. Across all years, the part named most often is engine cooling (72 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Excel model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 7 | — | 0 | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 5 | — | 0 | 7 | — | Not enough data |
| 1994 | 33 | 80,000 | 2 | 6 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 20 | 101,000 | 1 | 6 | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 34 | 50,000 | 1 | 6 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 38 | 36,742 | 1 | 6 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 38 | — | 2 | 6 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 68 | — | 4 | 6 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 43 | 119,037 | 4 | 6 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 13 | 119,037 | 4 | 6 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 13 | — | 5 | 6 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Engine cooling72 24%
- Transmission and drivetrain71 23%
- Electrical system46 15%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)39 13%
- Seat belts28 9.2%
- Fuel system19 6.2%
- Brakes18 5.9%
- Suspension13 4.2%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1994: “For inspection I had to replace the catalytic converter which deteriorated severely. The cost was 175 dollars. Today the car became a fireball engulfed in flames and exploded! The fireman stated the cause was the fuel pump in the rear of the car! I was only running the car and went inside to get something & returned to a fireball. I totally lost car in fire!”
NHTSA complaint #10070832, filed 2004-01, 80,000 miles1991: “Car began to only do 20 miles per hour after stopping at traffic light or stop sign. Drove fin on road. Than began to drive slowly after two weeks. Had transmission fliud change and drove great for a week then failed. I am ver upset by this motor company for hiding this major defect. My car only had 68,485 original miles!”
NHTSA complaint #10116097, filed 2005-03, 68,485 miles1987: “1987 Hyundai Excel has a broken motor mount and both crossmembers are bent. The consumer believes the vehicle was poorly welded on the right side of the subframe. The cover support bent. The rack and pinion leaked. The upper tie bar bent.”
NHTSA complaint #10132401, filed 2005-08, 119,037 milesOther Hyundai models
16,108 complaintsHyundai Elantra
8,731 complaintsHyundai Santa FE
7,683 complaintsHyundai Tucson
6,323 complaintsHyundai Palisade
2,491 complaintsHyundai Accent
2,030 complaintsHyundai Ioniq 5
1,348 complaintsHyundai Veloster
1,296 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology