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1991 Hyundai ExcelProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 38 owner complaints about the 1991 Hyundai Excel, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

54
CarFlaw IndexSolid year16% below the Excel median · #4 of 9 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints385 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage37kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 30, 2005. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1991 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
Power train100
Electrical system63
Visibility40
Seat belts30
Service brakes, hydraulic31
Structure31
Engine and engine cooling20
Latches/locks/linkages20
Fuel system, gasoline20
3 other systems30

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

1 recall

1991 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 →

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

1991 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

1991 Hyundai Excel safety ratings

1991 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 1991 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 power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CAR BEGAN TO ONLY DO 20 MILES PER HOUR AFTER STOPPING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. DROVE FIN ON ROAD. THAN BEGAN TO DRIVE SLOWLY AFTER TWO WEEKS. HAD TRANSMISSION FLIUD CHANGE AND DROVE GREAT FOR A WEEK THEN FAILED. I AM VER UPSET BY THIS MOTOR COMPANY FOR HIDING THIS MAJOR DEFECT. MY CAR ONLY…
Complaint 10116097 · Mar 30, 2005 · 68,485 miles
TRANSFER SHAFT BEARING BROKE, KNOCKING A HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION CASE, CAUSING FLUIDS TO LEAK FROM TRANSMISSION, CAUSING COMPLETE LOCK UP AND DESTRUCTION OF TRANSMISSION AND CASE. MY CAR WAS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND HAD 50,000 MILES ON IT. *AK
Complaint 10066298 · Apr 16, 2004 · 5,000 miles
WHILE DOING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP THE CAR, CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT GO.*AK WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE SPEED AND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED, THE VEHICLE MADE A ROUGH SOUND AND CONTINUED TO DROP SPEED AND CUT OFF, VEHICLE WAS PUSHED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TO CONSUMER'S…
Complaint 986242 · Jun 27, 1996

Own a 1991 Excel?

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