Model year record

1991 Hyundai Excel recalls & problems

The 1991 Hyundai Excel has 1 safety recall and 38 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (10 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints38filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 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.

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

1991 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	26 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

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	23 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/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*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	10	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemWiring › Fuses and circuit breakers; Wiring › Front underhood	8	0	4	0	—
VisibilityWindshield; Glass, side/rear	5	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Pads; Foundation components	3	1	0	0	—
StructureBody; Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Support device/strut	3	0	0	1	—
Seat beltsFront › Webbing; Front › Anchorage	3	0	0	0	—
Unknown or other	3	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasoline	2	0	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch; Hood › Latch	2	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline	2	0	0	0	—
WheelsRim	1	0	0	0	—
EquipmentMechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift	1	0	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Power train › Automatic transmission
CAR BEGAN TO ONLY DO 20 MILES PER HOUR AFTER STOPPING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. DROVE FIN ON ROAD. THAN BEGAN TO DRIVE SLOWLY AFTER TWO WEEKS. HAD TRANSMISSION FLIUD CHANGE AND DROVE GREAT FOR A WEEK THEN FAILED. I AM VER UPSET BY THIS MOTOR COMPANY FOR HIDING THIS MAJOR DEFECT. MY CAR ONLY HAD 68,485 ORIGINAL MILES!*AK
Jan 19, 2005 · 68,485 miles
Power train › Manual transmission
TRANSFER SHAFT BEARING BROKE, KNOCKING A HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION CASE, CAUSING FLUIDS TO LEAK FROM TRANSMISSION, CAUSING COMPLETE LOCK UP AND DESTRUCTION OF TRANSMISSION AND CASE. MY CAR WAS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND HAD 50,000 MILES ON IT. *AK
Mar 11, 1993 · 5,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION CASE CRACKED, DUE TO DRIVING OVER A DIP IN THE DRIVEWAY, (CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS VEHICLE)*JB
Jun 17, 1995
Unknown or other
NO SUMMARY.
Sep 28, 1999
Power train › Automatic transmission
TRANSMISSION DEFECTIVE. NLM
Aug 10, 1999
Visibility › Glass, side/rear
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE WINDOWS(PASSENGER AND DRIVER) IN THE REAR EXPLODED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 2 OTHER OCCASIONS. THE WINDOWS WERE REPLACED BY OWNER ALL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROLBEM. *AK THE FIRST WINDOW EXPLODED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE TWO OTHER TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *SLC
Aug 11, 1998
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE, THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT HAS NEVER GONE OFF SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, AND THE CAR CUTS OFF. THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Jun 2, 1998
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinderCrash
UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD/COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER HAS NOTICED THE PROBLEM, THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED DUE TO A SLIPPED PIN. *AK
Jul 4, 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