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.
1989 Hyundai ExcelProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 68 owner complaints about the 1989 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 January 29, 2001. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1989 Hyundai Excel has problems
68 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
24Engine and engine cooling13 crash/fire/injury
23Visibility1 crash/fire/injury
11Electrical system5 crash/fire/injury
10Power train1 crash/fire/injury
2Fuel system, gasoline
2Seat belts
2Service brakes, hydraulic
2Suspension
1Structure
33 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 24 | 13 |
| Visibility | 23 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 5 |
| Power train | 10 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 2 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 2 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 |
| 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
1989 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
1989 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
11 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1989 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
- 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.
REED VALVE ASSEMBLY FAILED, RESULTING IN A FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL, MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT HE MAILED RECALL NOTICE TWICE, DRIVER NEVER RECEIVED IT. *AK
EXHAUST SYSTEM - EGR VALVE: WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL BEGAN TO SMELL FUMES, SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. *AK
REED VALVE ASSEMBLY FAILED, CAUSING EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO CRACK, RESULTING IN AN EXHAUST LEAK, PRIOR TO RECALL (91V-225). *AK
Own a 1989 Excel?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.