no report yet
Defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core
Risk. THIS CAN RESULT IN A BURN INJURY TO THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER'S FEET AND LEGS.
1988 Hyundai ExcelProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 43 owner complaints about the 1988 Hyundai Excel, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 15, 2005. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1988 Hyundai Excel has problems
43 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
19Engine and engine cooling7 crash/fire/injury
8Seat belts4 crash/fire/injury
7Power train
6Electrical system
4Visibility1 crash/fire/injury
3Structure
3Suspension
2Steering
2Vehicle speed control
33 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 19 | 7 |
| Seat belts | 8 | 4 |
| Power train | 7 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 6 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 1 |
| Structure | 3 | 1 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 2 |
| 3 other systems | 3 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
1988 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
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…
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system
Risk. THE MELTING PLASTIC AIR FILTER CASE MAY LEAD TO A FIREIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
no report yet
Vehicle speed control
Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE ERRATIC CRUISE CONTROL OPERATION, WHICHCOULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
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
1988 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 1988 Hyundai Excel, and the recalls they led to.
- TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONNo recall
- FRNT SUSPENSION VIBRATESLed to recall 91E-021
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESLed to recall 91V-225
- TRANSMISSION LOCK-UPNo recall
- AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURENo recall
- FRONT SUSPENSION VIBRATIONNo recall
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESNo recall
- PASSENGER BRAKENo recall
- TRANSMISSION LOCKUPNo recall
- AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILSNo recall
- HEATER CORE FAILURELed to recall 94V-103
- CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURESNo recall
In owners' words
What Excel owners report
Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
PROBLEMS WITH BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT, RACK AND PINION LEAKAGE, BENT CROSSMEMBER IN THE SUBFRAME, ETC. (NAR) *PH *CB THE CONSUMER SENT ANOTHER COMPLAINT REFERENCING 10040082,10022196,10011711, & 10003824 ALL OF WHICH WENT UN-ANSWERED. *TC
EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED AT OXYGEN SENSOR, CAUSING EXHAUST SYSTEM TO BACK UP/FAIL, AS WELL AS THE ENGINE/HEADS/HEAD GASKET TO FAIL. *DH
Own a 1988 Excel?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.