RoadVitals

1992 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.
34
Latest Jan 27, 2009
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.
1
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.
2
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.
2
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 34 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Hyundai Excel, most frequently naming the transmission, brakes and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 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

  • Brakes410.8%
  • Engine410.8%
  • Electrical38.1%
  • Seat belts38.1%
  • Interior & seats25.4%
  • Other / unspecified25.4%
  • Fuel system25.4%

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

1 campaign 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

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

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
EA92032ClosedEngineering Analysis

TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION

Opened Oct 13, 1992
Closed Oct 29, 1993

There is no summary currently available

POWER TRAIN

Recent owner complaints

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

Suspension
Filed Jan 27, 2009

DEFECTIVE LOWER CONTROL ARM..1992 HYUNDAI EXCEL..CORRODES AND RUSTS, ESPECIALLY ON PASSENGER SIDE LEADING TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10256498
Incident
Jan 21, 2009
Mileage
99,999 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 1, 2007
2 injuries reported

THERE IS A HUGE SAFETY DEFECT IN THE OLDER HYUNDAI AUTOMOBILE COMPUTERS OR ECU BOXES. THE INTERNAL CAPACITORS (RUBYCON AND NICYCON) FAIL CAUSING ACID TO LEAK OUT ON THE COMPUTER BOARD, LEADING TO COMPLETE COMPUTER FAILURE. THE CAR STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING UNEXPECTEDLY WITH NO WARNING, LEADING TO A SERIOUS ROAD HAZARD FOR ALL OCCUPANTS OF THIS VEHICLE . THE CAR WILL ALSO IDLE ERRATICALLY, YIELDING NUMEROUS COMPUTER , AND NO START AND STALLING SITUATIONS THAT ARE UNPREDICTABILITY HAVE REPLACED 4 COMPUTERS (ECU'S) IN MY 1992 HYUNDAI EXCEL . THERE ARE SEVERAL INTERNET ARTICLES AND AUTO COMPUTER REBUILD SITES DOCUMENTING THESE DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS IN THE HYUNDAI COMPUTER. I ALSO SENT CLOSE-UP PHOTOS OF THE ECU COMPONENT DEFECTS, AS WELL AS A LETTER FROM THE HYUNDAI SERVICE MANAGER TO HYUNDAI MOTORS, BUT THEY ARE UNCOOPERATIVE. I HAVE TRIED MANY TIMES TO CONTACT HYUNDAI MOTORS AND THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY REPLACEMENT OR REBUILD ON THIS DEFECTIVE PART. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFINITE , SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS, ROAD HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL IN ALL THESE 1992 HYUNDAI EXCEL AUTOMOBILES. PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE AT STAKE DRIVING WITH THESE DEFECTIVE COMPUTERS IN THEIR CARS. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP~MANY THANKS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10181381
Incident
Jan 2, 2007
Mileage
50,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Sep 21, 2005

DT: THE TIRES WERE LEAKING AIR. THE CONSUMER THOUGHT IT WAS THE TIRE, BUT FOUND OUT IT WAS THE RIM. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONCE EIGHT YEARS AGO, AND ONCE A YEAR AGO, AND ONCE SIX MONTHS AGO. EACH TIME THE CONSUMER HAD THE RIM REPLACED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE DEALER SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AFTER THE LAST TIME, AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE FORTH ONE FAILING. *AK (11/16/05) THE TIRES WERE HEAVILY UNDER INFLATED. *SC

NHTSA ID
10137169
Incident
Sep 21, 1997
Mileage
25,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 21, 2001

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH FRONT HOOD FLIPPED UP, BLOCKING VISION. KEPT CONTROL OF VEHICLE, DRIVING OFF ROAD. PUSHED DOWN HOOD AND TIED IT WITH A ROPE THEN, LATCH HAD TO BE FIXED. *AK

NHTSA ID
881014
Incident
Feb 16, 2001
Seat belts
Filed Nov 28, 2000
1 injury reported

VEHICLE WAS HIT BY A VEHICLE IN WHICH THE SHOULDER BELT BELT DID NOT LOCK, THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER'S CHEST TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, THE LAP BELT DID NOT FAIL IN THE ACCIDENT. *SLC

NHTSA ID
557595
Incident
Nov 3, 2000
Transmission
Filed Sep 14, 2000

WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE REPAIR SHOP OVER A DOZEN TIMES AND I HAVE THE PAPERS TO PROVE IT THE REPAIR SHOP HAD MY CAR MORE THEN I DID AND I REPLACED JUST ABOUT EVERY THING ON THE CAR BUT I WENT THROUGH 3 TRANSMISSION AND NOW I NEED ANOTHER BEFOR I HAD AN EXSTENDED WARRANTY AND I JUST HAD TO PAY $50.00 NOW THAT MY WARRANTY IS GONE NONE OF THE TRANSMISSION SHOPS WANTED TO FIX IT THEY SAY THAT IT IS TO MUCH TROUBLE AND THE MAKE OF THAT TRANSMISSION FOR THAT YEAR HAS PROBLEMS AND THAT IF I WOULD FIX IT IT WOULD JUST DO IT AGAIN. I REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES ALREADY AND NOW THE CAR NEEDS ANOTHER TRANSMISSION IT WAS JUST REPLACED IN 1998 WHAT CAN I DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU LARAY RANSOM. *AK

NHTSA ID
731495
Incident
Sep 23, 1995
Brakes
Filed Oct 21, 1999

ABS LIGHT ILLUMNATED ON THE DASHBOARD. ALSO, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A NORMAL STOP THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
851423
Transmission
Filed Apr 11, 1999

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID
705527
Incident
Feb 8, 1995

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
1992Viewing341251.4
1991381553.6
1990382563.4
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.