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1987 Hyundai ExcelProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 13 owner complaints about the 1987 Hyundai Excel, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints135 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem3Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 3, 2005. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1987 Hyundai Excel has problems

13 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling31
Power train30
Steering21
Visibility20
Structure10
Seats10
Fuel system, gasoline11
Seat belts11
Electrical system10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

1987 Hyundai Excel recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Power train: manual transmission

Recall 93V-167 · Oct 4, 1993 · 515,000 vehicles

Risk. SUDDEN STOPS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CAN CAUSE VEHICLEOCCUPANTS TO BE THROWN AROUND IN THE CAR, AND CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROLWHICH COULD RESULT IN AN…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system

Recall 91V-225 · Dec 31, 1991 · 895,000 vehicles

Risk. THE MELTING PLASTIC AIR FILTER CASE MAY LEAD TO A FIREIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Disc: pads

Recall 87V-180 · Nov 25, 1987 · 321,000 vehicles

Risk. THERE MAY BE A LOSS OF BRAKING EFFICIENCY DURINGREPEATED HARD APPLICATION OF BRAKES WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIORWARNING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Hyundai.

Best & worst years

1987 vs. every other Excel year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Excel median. How we score

'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'01
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
12 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1987 Hyundai Excel, and the recalls they led to.

  1. TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONC92001 · closed Oct 29, 1993
    No recall
  2. FRNT SUSPENSION VIBRATESEA90021 · closed Apr 30, 1991
    Led to recall 91E-021
  3. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA91024 · closed Jan 7, 1992
    Led to recall 91V-225
  4. TRANSMISSION LOCK-UPEA91039 · closed Oct 13, 1992
    No recall
  5. AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILUREEA91048 · closed Oct 26, 1992
    No recall
  6. PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMPE89138 · closed Nov 1, 1989
    No recall
  7. FRONT SUSPENSION VIBRATIONPE90011 · closed Apr 2, 1990
    No recall
  8. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESPE91027 · closed May 3, 1991
    No recall
  9. PASSENGER BRAKEPE91053 · closed Jun 5, 1991
    No recall
  10. AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILSPE91097 · closed Nov 19, 1991
    No recall
  11. HEATER CORE FAILUREPE94003 · closed Jun 10, 1994
    Led to recall 94V-103
  12. CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURESPE94043 · closed Oct 31, 1994
    No recall
In owners' words

What Excel owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

HYUNDAI PARTS DEPT WILL NOT REPAIR FIRE DAMAGE UNDER HOOD CAUSED BY THE DEFECTIVE RECALLED PART "REED VALVE." THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE THE PART THAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE. THIS IS A CAR THAT NEVER MADE SENSE. PLEASE HELP. REPAIR BILLS WILL BE VERY COSTLY AND HYUNDAI MOTOR CORP. DOESN'T WANT TO ADMIT…
Complaint 706722 · May 21, 1999

Own a 1987 Excel?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.