RoadVitals

1994 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.
33
Latest Jul 20, 2011
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 May 11, 1994
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.
1
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.
5
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 33 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Hyundai Excel, most frequently naming the engine, transmission and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 8 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

  • Engine612.2%
  • Transmission612.2%
  • Brakes510.2%
  • Electrical510.2%
  • Other / unspecified48.2%
  • Seat belts48.2%
  • Steering48.2%
  • Tires & wheels36.1%

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
94V090000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

May 11, 1994
600 units potentially affected
The defect: IN SOME VEHICLES, THE MANUFACTURER'S PROTECTIVE INTERNAL COATING OF THE ELECTRONIC CRANK ANGLE SENSOR DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS, WHICH CAN CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT AT HIGH OPERATING TEMPERATURES. THIS CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL.
The risk: ENGINE STALLING HAS THE POTENTIAL TO RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH IF IT OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE SENSOR IS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL, AND REPLACE ANY SENSOR FOUND WITH THE DEFECTIVE INTERNAL COATING.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICAView 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

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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 33
BrakesElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Jul 20, 2011

1994 HYUNDAI EXCEL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MISINFORMATION CONCERNING VEHICLE BRAKES AND TIRE TREAD DEPTH. *TGW 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. IN ADDITION TO NEEDING NEW BRAKE SHOES, THE VEHICLE ALSO NEEDED NEW DRUMS AND WHEEL CYLINDERS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10414275
Incident
Jul 1, 2011
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 4, 2004

HEARD A LOUD NOISE , LOOKED TO SEE WHAT CAUSED THE SOUND. WHITE SMOKE, FIRESTONE TIRE BLOW OUT. *BF THE TIRE HAD BLOWN. IT LOOKED LIKE THE TIRE WAS CUT COMPLETELY AROUND THE RIM. *SC

NHTSA ID
10101206
Incident
Oct 18, 2004
Fuel system
Filed Jan 15, 2004
Fire reported

FOR INSPECTION I HAD TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH DETERIORATED SEVERELY. THE COST WAS 175 DOLLARS. TODAY THE CAR BECAME A FIREBALL ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND EXPLODED! THE FIREMAN STATED THE CAUSE WAS THE FUEL PUMP IN THE REAR OF THE CAR! I WAS ONLY RUNNING THE CAR AND WENT INSIDE TO GET SOMETHING & RETURNED TO A FIREBALL. I TOTALLY LOST CAR IN FIRE!

NHTSA ID
10070832
Incident
Sep 15, 2003
Mileage
80,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 15, 2002

WHILE DRIVING KEY IN THE IGNITION TURNED OF BY ITSELF. LOST ALL POWER. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
8007599
Transmission
Filed Jun 26, 2001

A BLOWN MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK

NHTSA ID
891328
Incident
Jun 11, 2001
Engine
Filed Feb 8, 2001

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. *AK 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. *SLC

NHTSA ID
880190
Incident
Jan 11, 2001
Filed Dec 31, 2000
Fire reported

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
738563
Incident
Dec 20, 2000
BrakesPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Aug 18, 1999

WHEEL BEARING FAILED, CAUSING GRINDING NOISE ON LEFT FRONT WHILE DRIVING. YH

NHTSA ID
547993
Incident
Apr 16, 1997

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—
1994Viewing332154.8
1993201150.0
1992341251.4
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.