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Hyundai ExcelModel year report

1994 Hyundai Excel Problems

Complaints
33filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
80,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
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 · 23 city / 32 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1994 Hyundai Excel (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1994 Hyundai Excel. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 8 complaints (24% of the total), followed by engine cooling (6) and brakes (5). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 6 technical service bulletins for this model year. 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.

Also reported: Suspension (2), Vehicle speed control (2), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Other or unknown (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “While driving, at approx. 60mph, drivers rear wheel bearings sheared off due to lack of tension, causing wheel to detach from axel, also rear hatch does not close in cold weather and rough idle.”

NHTSA complaint #985058, filed 1996-10

Engine cooling: “While driving vehicle started to lose power and was making clunking noises. Took vehicle to mechanic, and was informed that bolts came out and rocker shaft connected to exhaust system had broken. 2 weeks after repair, clunking noises started again, consumer bought a new Hyundai and hopes the same problem will not occur with the new vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #880190, filed 2001-02

Brakes: “1994 Hyundai Excel. Consumer writes in regards to misinformation concerning vehicle brakes and tire tread depth. The consumer stated one of the tires had a leak, the spark plugs, drive belts and wheel bearing needed to be replaced. The vehicle would not start on several occasions, until finally the battery was replaced. Within a couple of months, the consumer began hearing a grinding sound upon stopping. Upon inspection, it was determined the right rear brake was worn down to the metal and the wheel cylinder was leaking braking fluid. …”

NHTSA complaint #10414275, filed 2011-07

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 80,000 and 80,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–75100%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (1 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 80,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

199691998200020022011
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1994 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.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Excel · sedan not rated4 / 5———
Excel · coupe not rated4 / 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 1994 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Excel FWD1.5L 4-cyl4-speed automatic233227$2,500
Excel FWD1.5L 4-cyl5-speed manual243327$2,500

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

Recall details for the 1994 Hyundai Excel → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

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.

Other model years of the Hyundai Excel

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20017—0———Not enough data
19955—0———Not enough data
19943380,0002—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199320101,0001—27—Stable
19923450,0001—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19913836,7421—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199038—2—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198968—4—26Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198843119,0374—26Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198713119,0374—26—Not enough data
198613—5———Not enough data

All Hyundai Excel model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1994 Hyundai Excel have?

NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1994 Hyundai Excel as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1994 Hyundai Excel is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 8 complaints (24% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 6.

Has the 1994 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 1994 Hyundai Excel get?

The EPA rates the 1994 Hyundai Excel (Excel, 1.5L 4-cyl) at 27 mpg combined, 23 city and 32 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 1994 Hyundai Excel reported?

Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,000 miles and the middle half falls between 80,000 and 80,000 miles; 0% 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.