RoadVitals

1990 Hyundai Excel

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
38
Latest Sep 21, 2001
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Nov 23, 1993
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
5
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
8
7 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 38 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Hyundai Excel, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and fuel system categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 5 NHTSA investigations name it; and 7 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine816.3%
  • Electrical816.3%
  • Fuel system510.2%
  • Transmission510.2%
  • Visibility48.2%
  • Other / unspecified36.1%
  • Interior & seats24.1%
  • Brakes24.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
93V192000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Nov 23, 1993
257,001 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE FUEL SPILLAGE CAN RESULTIN A FIRE IF EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
The remedy: HYUNDAI HAS DEVELOPED AN APPROPRIATE COUNTERMEASURE THAT WILL COMPLY WITH ALL REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 301.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICAView on NHTSA.gov
90V053000

WHEELS:HUBCAP/COVER

Mar 15, 1990
2,281 units potentially affected
The defect: LOCK WASHER LOCATED UNDER THE NUT THAT SECURES THE FRONT HUB TO THE DRIVE SHAFT MAY HAVE HAD IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT AND COULD CRACK.
The risk: THIS COULD CAUSE WHEEL BEARING FREEPLAY AND COULD RESULT IN BEARING DAMAGE, AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL THROUGH WHEEL FAILURE.
The remedy: REPLACE LOCK WASHER ON EACH FRONT WHEEL AND REPAIR AREA AROUND LOCK WASHER AS NECESSARY.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICAView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE95060ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SCISSOR JACK FAILURE

Opened Dec 9, 1995
Closed Mar 21, 1996

There is no summary currently available

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
PE94043ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURES

Opened May 27, 1994
Closed Oct 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
EA92032ClosedEngineering Analysis

TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION

Opened Oct 13, 1992
Closed Oct 29, 1993

There is no summary currently available

POWER TRAIN
EA91039ClosedEngineering Analysis

TRANSMISSION LOCK-UP

Opened Sep 24, 1991
Closed Oct 13, 1992

There is no summary currently available

POWER TRAIN

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 38
Engine
Filed Sep 21, 2001
Fire reported

ENGINE SPUTTERED, STOPPED RUNNING, CAUGHT FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID
752442
Incident
Sep 11, 2001
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Jul 30, 2000

AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID
726256
Transmission
Filed Oct 27, 1999

THE CLUTCH FORK BROKE, JAMMING THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO, CAUSING THE CLUTCH TO BECOME INOPERABLE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
851953
Airbags
Filed Jun 11, 1999
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE CROSSED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND CONSUMER CRASHED INTO IT. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ID
836117
Incident
Mar 19, 1999
Engine
Filed Feb 27, 1999

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. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT A STATION AND FOUND OUT THAT CYLINDER 3 DID NOT HAVE ANY PRESSURE AT ALL. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT TO GET IT FIXED IT WOULD COST AROUND $1,000. IT STILL IS NOT FIXED.

NHTSA ID
703813
Incident
May 1, 1998
Engine
Filed Nov 6, 1998

ENGINE LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AT 20-25MPH. NO PRIOR INDICATION OR WARNING. DEALER CONTACTED AND NO WARRANTY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, REPAIRS CAN BE REMEDIED AT OWNER EXPENSE. *AK

NHTSA ID
830285
Incident
Nov 2, 1998
Filed Aug 12, 1998

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON.

NHTSA ID
780392
Body & structureElectricalFuel system
Filed Dec 30, 1997

ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, TROUBLE OPENING DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, AND FUEL PUMP FAILED.

NHTSA ID
527219

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

23-BD-002H

VISIBILITY

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 the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp assembly replacement is NOT necessary in most cases. This condition can be eliminated by turning on the lamps with the engine running for several minutes or during normal driving operation.

21-EM-003H

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain vehicles listed below.

20-BR-002H

SERVICE BRAKES

This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear around the brake caliper area.

20-SS-004H

TIRES; WHEELS

This bulletin provides tire vibration service procedures, including how to optimize vehicle vibration performance. For all wheel/tire balance claims, the “Tire Balance Data Sheet” must be fully completed including imbalance and Road Force Variation (RFV) data. The Data Sheet can be found at the end of this bulletin.

20-EE-003H

ELECTRICAL 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 started and reported an SOC in 30 days.

19-BE-011H-1

BACK OVER PREVENTION; 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 in the rear bumper. The BSD/BCW detects vehicles within the blind spot zone and gives off an alarm (visual and audible). The two magnetic radar sensors provide these functions for BSD/BCW: ? Senses other vehicles in the BSD/BCW zone and turns on the BSD/BCW warning lamp for the driver. The warning lamp starts blinking, along with an audible sound, when the driver turns on the turn signal lamp to enter the lane where another vehicle is driving.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Hyundai Excel by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001700—
1998200—
1997200—
1996300—
1995501—
1994332154.8
1993201150.0
1992341251.4
1991381553.6
1990Viewing382563.4
19896841172.3
19884341269.9
19871341269.3
19861351064.8
1985000—
1980000—
1978000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.