1994 Hyundai Excel Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1994 Hyundai Excel, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine612.2%
- Transmission612.2%
- Brakes510.2%
- Electrical510.2%
- Other / unspecified48.2%
- Seat belts48.2%
- Steering48.2%
- Tires & wheels36.1%
- Fuel system36.1%
- Body & structure24.1%
- Suspension24.1%
- Driver assistance24.1%
- Powertrain (other)24.1%
- Interior & seats12.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
A BLOWN MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK
TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT STAY IN 4TH GEAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WHEEL BEARING FAILED, CAUSING GRINDING NOISE ON LEFT FRONT WHILE DRIVING. YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WHILE DRIVING KEY IN THE IGNITION TURNED OF BY ITSELF. LOST ALL POWER. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WHEEL'S TIRE MOUNT CRACKED, CAUSING A FLAT TIRE. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
ALL FOUR WHEELS CRACKED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UP UPON IMPACT, CAUSING CHILD IN CHILD SAFETY SEAT NOT REMAIN IN PLACE. FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UP, CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY. PROBLEM NOT SOLVED AS YET. *AK
VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED AT 12:00 POSITION, SPEED 40MPH, SHOULDER BELT DID NOT RETRACT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEEL BEARING FAILED, CAUSING GRINDING NOISE ON LEFT FRONT WHILE DRIVING. YH
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL IS SHAKING AND THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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!
SHOCKS FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND FRONT HOOD CAME OPEN . TT
SHOCKS FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
SHOCKS FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. *AK
WHEN FIRST START, IDLE IS LOW AND VEHICLE PERFORMS ERRATICALLY. DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TO ADJUST BUT NO CHANGE IN CONDITION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEEL BEARING FAILED, CAUSING GRINDING NOISE ON LEFT FRONT WHILE DRIVING. YH
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. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .