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1990 Hyundai ExcelProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 38 owner complaints about the 1990 Hyundai Excel, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

46
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.2× the Excel median · #3 of 9 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints3814 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem8Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 21, 2001. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Hyundai Excel has problems

38 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 cooling82
Electrical system82
Power train60
Fuel system, gasoline50
Visibility42
Wheels30
Vehicle speed control21
Suspension20
Equipment20
7 other systems83

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

2 recalls

1990 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

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 93V-192 · Nov 23, 1993 · 257,001 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE FUEL SPILLAGE CAN RESULTIN A FIRE IF EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Wheels: hubcap/cover

Recall 90V-053 · Mar 15, 1990 · 2,281 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE WHEEL BEARING FREEPLAY AND COULD RESULT IN BEARING DAMAGE, AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL THROUGH WHEEL FAILURE.

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

1990 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
NHTSA crash tests

1990 Hyundai Excel safety ratings

1990 Hyundai Excel 2-DR. HB. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1990 Hyundai Excel, and the recalls they led to.

  1. TRANSMISSION LOCK-UPEA91039 · closed Oct 13, 1992
    No recall
  2. TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONEA92032 · closed Oct 29, 1993
    No recall
  3. PASSENGER BRAKEPE91053 · closed Jun 5, 1991
    No recall
  4. CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURESPE94043 · closed Oct 31, 1994
    No recall
  5. SCISSOR JACK FAILUREPE95060 · closed Mar 21, 1996
    No recall
In owners' words

What Excel owners report

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

WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK AND THE CAR BLEW UP AND DRIVER WAS INSIDE. LOST BRAKES BEFORE.
Complaint 977405 · Jan 4, 1996
CONSUMER RECEIVE RECALL ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD IT CHECK HAVING PROBLEM DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE BECAUSE THERE WAS A USED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. TT
Complaint 969254 · Jul 24, 1995
ENGINE LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AT 20-25MPH. NO PRIOR INDICATION OR WARNING. DEALER CONTACTED AND NO WARRANTY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, REPAIRS CAN BE REMEDIED AT OWNER EXPENSE. *AK
Complaint 830285 · Nov 6, 1998

Own a 1990 Excel?

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