1991 Hyundai Excel Problems
- Complaints
- 38filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 36,742miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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 1991 Hyundai Excel (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 1991 Hyundai Excel. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 10 complaints (26% of the total), followed by electrical system (6) and visibility (4). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 36,742 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 6 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 2 NHTSA investigations filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation and 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 system6 16%
- Brakes3 7.9%
- Other or unknown3 7.9%
- Seat belts3 7.9%
- Body and structure3 7.9%
- Engine cooling2 5.3%
- Fuel system2 5.3%
Also reported: Equipment (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “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 milesElectrical system: “For several months owner had interference in electrical system. Head lights dimmed when other electric accessories were used/alternator charged correctly and belts tightened w/no change in condition. Two mechanics stated everything checked out fine.*”
NHTSA complaint #803753, filed 1996-10Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “While driving 55 MPH, the windows(passenger and driver) in the rear exploded. This has happened on 2 other occasions. The windows were replaced by owner all times. The manufacturer has been notified about the prolbem. The first window exploded while the vehicle was parked, the two other times the vehicle was in motion.”
NHTSA complaint #826531, filed 1998-08Brakes: “Upon depressing the brake pedal the pedal went to the floorboard/complete loss of braking ability, resulting in an accident. Consumer has noticed the problem, the master cylinder was replaced due to a slipped pin.”
NHTSA complaint #813821, filed 1997-08Mileage when problems were reported
50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,000 and 68,485 miles.
Complaints 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 1991 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 1991 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 | 4-speed manual | 26 | 33 | 28 | $2,400 |
| 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 | 3-speed automatic | 23 | 29 | 26 | $2,600 |
| 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.
Recall details for the 1991 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, 2019Lane departure, Back-over prevention (rear camera). 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 1991 Hyundai Excel have?
NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 1991 Hyundai Excel as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Hyundai Excel is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 10 complaints (26% of the total), followed by electrical system with 6.
Has the 1991 Hyundai Excel been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1991 Hyundai Excel get?
The EPA rates the 1991 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.
At what mileage are problems with the 1991 Hyundai Excel reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 36,742 miles and the middle half falls between 5,000 and 68,485 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.