Model year record

1990 Hyundai Excel recalls & problems

The 1990 Hyundai Excel has 2 safety recalls and 38 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (11 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints38filed by owners

Crashes · fires4 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths7 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineNov 23, 1993

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 93V192000257,001 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE FUEL SPILLAGE CAN RESULTIN A FIRE IF EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Fix: HYUNDAI HAS DEVELOPED AN APPROPRIATE COUNTERMEASURE THAT WILL COMPLY WITH ALL REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 301.

WheelsMar 15, 1990

Hubcap/cover

Recall 90V0530002,281 vehicles

Problem: LOCK WASHER LOCATED UNDER THE NUT THAT SECURES THE FRONT HUB TO THE DRIVE SHAFT MAY HAVE HAD IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT AND COULD CRACK.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE WHEEL BEARING FREEPLAY AND COULD RESULT IN BEARING DAMAGE, AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL THROUGH WHEEL FAILURE.
Fix: REPLACE LOCK WASHER ON EACH FRONT WHEEL AND REPAIR AREA AROUND LOCK WASHER AS NECESSARY.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1990 Hyundai Excel 2-DR. HB.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Excel

28mpg combined

City / highway	25 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Excel

27mpg combined

City / highway	25 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Excel

26mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	11	0	1	1	—
Electrical systemWiring › Front underhood; Ignition › Module	8	1	2	2	—
Power trainClutch assembly; Automatic transmission	7	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump	5	0	0	0	—
VisibilityWindshield; Glass, side/rear	4	0	0	2	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner	3	0	0	0	—
WheelsRim	3	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	2	1	0	0	—
SuspensionRear › Shock absorber; Front › Wheel bearing	2	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Drum; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	2	0	1	1	—
Seat belts	1	0	0	0	—
Seats	1	1	0	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › GasolineFire
ENGINE SPUTTERED, STOPPED RUNNING, CAUGHT FIRE. *AK
Sep 11, 2001
Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE. *AK
Jul 30, 2000
Power train › Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
THE CLUTCH FORK BROKE, JAMMING THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO, CAUSING THE CLUTCH TO BECOME INOPERABLE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Oct 27, 1999
Air bags › FrontalCrash1 injury
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
Mar 19, 1999
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
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.
May 1, 1998
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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
Nov 2, 1998
Unknown or other
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON.
Aug 12, 1998
Electrical system
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, TROUBLE OPENING DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, AND FUEL PUMP FAILED.
Dec 30, 1997

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

SCISSOR JACK FAILUREClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE95060 · opened Dec 9, 1995 · closed Mar 21, 1996
CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURESClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE94043 · opened May 27, 1994 · closed Oct 31, 1994
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONClosed
There is no summary currently available
EA92032 · opened Oct 13, 1992 · closed Oct 29, 1993
TRANSMISSION LOCK-UPClosed
There is no summary currently available
EA91039 · opened Sep 24, 1991 · closed Oct 13, 1992
PASSENGER BRAKEClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE91053 · opened Feb 26, 1991 · closed Jun 5, 1991