Model year record

1994 Hyundai Excel recalls & problems

The 1994 Hyundai Excel has 2 safety recalls and 33 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (8 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints33filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical systemMay 11, 1994

Alternator/generator/regulator

Recall 94V090000600 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: ENGINE STALLING HAS THE POTENTIAL TO RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH IF IT OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.
Fix: 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.

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

1994 Hyundai Excel 2-DR. HB.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

1994 Hyundai Excel 4-DR.

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

27mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 32 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Excel

27mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/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 trainManual transmission; Automatic transmission	8	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Drum › Wheel cylinders; Foundation components	6	1	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	6	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Webbing	5	3	0	3	—
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch; Wiring	5	0	0	0	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Linkages › Tie rod assembly	4	0	0	0	—
WheelsRim	4	0	0	0	—
StructureBody › Hood; Body › Door › Hinge and attachments	3	0	0	0	—
TiresTemporary/emergency spare tire	3	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	2	0	0	0	—
SuspensionFront › Shock absorber; Front › Wheel bearing	2	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineCarburetor system	2	0	1	0	—

*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
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
Jul 1, 2011
Tires
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
Oct 18, 2004
Fuel system, gasolineFire
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!
Sep 15, 2003 · 80,000 miles
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
WHILE DRIVING KEY IN THE IGNITION TURNED OF BY ITSELF. LOST ALL POWER. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK
Apr 15, 2002
Power train › Manual transmission
A BLOWN MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK
Jun 11, 2001
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
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
Jan 11, 2001
Unknown or otherFire
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Dec 20, 2000
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
WHEEL BEARING FAILED, CAUSING GRINDING NOISE ON LEFT FRONT WHILE DRIVING. YH
Apr 16, 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