1990 Hyundai Excel Problems
- Complaints
- 38filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 27 mpgcombined, 1.5L 4-cyl FWD · 25 city / 30 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Hyundai Excel (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 1990 Hyundai Excel. The part named most often is electrical system, with 8 complaints (21% of the total), followed by engine cooling (8) and transmission and drivetrain (6). Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 7 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 6 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system8 21%
- Engine cooling8 21%
- Fuel system5 13%
- Wheels3 7.9%
- Brakes2 5.3%
- Equipment2 5.3%
- Suspension2 5.3%
- Vehicle speed control2 5.3%
Also reported: Air bags (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Other or unknown (1), Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Body and structure (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “While proceeding up a slight incline during the commuting hour, the car lost all power and I came close to being hit in the rear. After about 30 seconds I regained some power and was able to proceed. The car was idling rough and I had to keep my foot on the accelerator at all times to keep it running. I had it turned up and it ran better but still a lack of power. I had to have it inspected and it failed inspection because the pollution was at 1200. I then had it tuned up again (fully) and it failed again. …”
NHTSA complaint #703813, filed 1999-02Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1990 Hyundai Excel. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excel · coupe | not rated | 4 / 5 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 Hyundai Excel version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excel FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Excel FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 25 | 30 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Excel FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 24 | 29 | 26 | $2,600 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 93V192000Nov 23, 1993Fuel system, gasolineCovers: Hyundai Excel 1990–1994
The vehicles failed the lateral moving barrier impact test requirements of fmvss 301, "fuel system integrity." the fuel leakage from the gas tank exceeded the maximum allowable amount of spillage.
- 90V053000Mar 15, 1990Wheels › Hubcap/coverCovers: Hyundai Excel 1990, Mitsubishi Precis 1990
Lock washer located under the nut that secures the front hub to the drive shaft may have had improper heat treatment and could crack.
Recall details for the 1990 Hyundai Excel → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE94043Charging system failuresClosed · May 27, 1994
- EA92032Transmission malfunctionClosed · Oct 13, 1992
- EA91039Transmission lock-upClosed · Sep 24, 1991
- PE91053Passenger brakeClosed · Feb 26, 1991
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 6 on record; the latest 6 are shown.
- 10230904Jan 30, 2023Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates…
- 10189989Mar 10, 2021Engine cooling, Equipment. This bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain vehicles listed below.
- 10183963Nov 30, 2020Brakes. This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear around the brake caliper area.
- 10183960Nov 19, 2020Wheels, Tires. This bulletin provides tire vibration service procedures, including how to optimize vehicle vibration performance. For all wheel/tire balance claims, the âTire Balance Data Sheetâ must be fully…
- 10174808Apr 23, 2020Electrical system, Equipment. This bulletin provides information on identifying dealer stock vehicles with either: ⢠A Battery SOC alert - low Battery State of Charge (SOC) at or below 50%. ⢠A 30 Day alert - vehicle has not…
- 10169370Nov 4, 2019Back-over prevention (rear camera), Lane departure. The Blind Spot Detection (BSD) or Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) is a system that measures the speed of and distance from the following vehicles by using two magnetic wave radar sensors attached…
Other model years of the Hyundai Excel
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 7 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 5 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1994 | 33 | 80,000 | 2 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 20 | 101,000 | 1 | — | 27 | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 34 | 50,000 | 1 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 38 | 36,742 | 1 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 38 | — | 2 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 68 | — | 4 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 43 | 119,037 | 4 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 13 | 119,037 | 4 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 13 | — | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Hyundai Excel model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 Hyundai Excel have?
NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 1990 Hyundai Excel as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Hyundai Excel is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 8 complaints (21% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 8.
Has the 1990 Hyundai Excel been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 Hyundai Excel get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Hyundai Excel (Excel, 1.5L 4-cyl) at 27 mpg combined, 25 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.