FaultScore report
Owners have filed 64 complaints about the 1988 Hyundai Excel with NHTSA between 1995 and 2004. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
64
Complaints
4
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
119,037 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
0%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
1 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 119,037 mi
2 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 119,037 miles
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURES
HEATER CORE FAILURE
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION
AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE
TRANSMISSION LOCK-UP
AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILS
TRANSMISSION LOCKUP
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE STEM DOES NOT MEET THE MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS. HIGH COOLANT TEMPERATURES CAN CAUSE THE STEM TO LEAK.
Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN A BURN INJURY TO THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER'S FEET AND LEGS.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY LOCK UP FROM INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION OF THE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION CASE. THIS CAN CAUSE THE DRIVE WHEELS TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP.
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 ACCIDENT.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
DETERIORATION OF THE REED VALVE SUBASSEMBLY MAY LEAD TO A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SECONDARY AIR SUPPLY PORTION OF THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM. THE SCREWS WHICH ATTACH THE REEDS TO THE REED VALVE SUBASSEMBLY MAY RUST, AND IF THE RUSTING BECOMES SEVERE, THE SCREW HEADS WILL ERODE AND ALLOW THE REEDS TO SEPARATE FROM THE REED VALVE SUBASSEMBLY. CORROSION MAY ALSO OCCUR ON THE REED VALVE SUBASSEMBLY, DEFORMING THE REED SEATS AND PREVENTING THE REEDS FROM CLOSING PROPERLY. SEPARATION OF THE REEDS FROM THE REED VALVE SUBASSEMBLY OR IMPROPER CLOSING OF THE REEDS ALLOW HOT EXHAUST GASES TO FLOW BACKWARD INTO THE PLASTIC SECONDARY AIR FILTER CASE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. THESE HOT EXHAUST GASES MAY MELT THE SECONDARY PLASTIC AIR FILTER CASE.
Risk: THE MELTING PLASTIC AIR FILTER CASE MAY LEAD TO A FIREIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
IF CRUISE CONTROL MAIN SWITCH IS IN THE ON POSITION WHEN ENGINE IS STARTED, SYSTEM CAN BE AFFECTED BY A SHORT DURATION VOLTAGE DROP CAUSED BY OPTIONAL HI-POWER (H340) RADIO.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE ERRATIC CRUISE CONTROL OPERATION, WHICHCOULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Engine
NOTE: ALL 1988-89 EXCEL VEHICLES SOLD IN CANADA. THE REED VALVE SUBASSEMBLY CONTAINED WITHIN THE AIR CONTROL VALVE COULD FAIL DUE TO CORROSION ALLOWING THE HOT EXHAUST GASES TO FLOW BACKWARD INTO THE PLASTIC SECONDARY AIR FILTER CASE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. THESE HOT GASES MAY MELT THE SECONDARY AIR FILTER CASE AND COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: REED VALVE SUBASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #705918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ENGINE OVERHEATED, CAUSING OVERFLOW CONTAINER TO ERUPT IN DRIVER'S FACE, RESULTING IN FACIAL BURNS.
NHTSA complaint #507298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
NHTSA complaint #508890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO REED VALVE SUB ASSEMBLY FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #505577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE COUGHT FIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #984491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE COUGHT FIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #984491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10064949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10064949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10064949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RACK AND PINION IS LEAKING, BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT AND UPPER TIE BAR IS BENT.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS POORLY WELDED ON ONE SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME *TS THE CROSS MEMEBER WAS BENT.
NHTSA complaint #10040620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
RACK AND PINION IS LEAKING, BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT AND UPPER TIE BAR IS BENT.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS POORLY WELDED ON ONE SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME *TS THE CROSS MEMEBER WAS BENT.
NHTSA complaint #10040620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
DRIVING OUT OF DRIVEWAY HEARD A NOISE LIKE THE TIRE WAS FLAT OR SOMETHING DRAGGING BENEATH MY VEHICLE. EXITED FOUND NOTHING. DROVE TO NEXT STOP SIGN, NOISE CONTINUED. EXITED A SECOND TIME AND OBSERVED TRED FROM TIRE EXTENDING ABOUT SIX INCHES TO THE REAR OF TIRE. TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED BUT THE TRED TRAILED BEHIND THE TIRE. DROVE IN REVERSE TO ALLOW TRED TO WRAP AROUND TIRE AND PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. CHANGED TIRE TWO DAYS LATER. COUPLE WEEKS PASSED. NOTIFIED FIRESTONE BY CALLING THEIR EIGHT HUNDRED NUMBER TODAY 8-22-2000 AND WAS TOLD ONLY THE TIRES SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL WOULD BE EXCHANGED FOR FREE. I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW TIRE. I EXPRESSED TO THEM THAT MY SERIES TIRE HAD TRED SEPERATION AS THE OTHER RECALLED TIRES HAVE HAD OCCUR. THEY DID NOT TAKE MY NAME, NUMBER OR EVEN TELL ME WHERE TO TAKE IT FOR INSPECTION. I WAS TOLD TO GO TO NEAREST DEALER AND BUY ANOTHER ONE, MINE WAS NOT COVERED. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS INVESTIGATED SINCE I AM A POLICE OFFICER BY PROFESSION, NOT TO MENTION I OR A FAMILY MEMBER MAY HAVE BEEN KILLED IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT A FASTER RATE OF SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY RATHER THAN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. I STILL HAVE THE TIRE IF PICTURES ARE NEEDED OR IF AN INSPECTOR NEEDS TO RESPOND TO VIEW THE TIRE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THERE MAY BE OTHER SERIES OF FAULTY FIRESTONE BRAND TIRES OUT THERE JEOPARDISING MORE INNOCENT LIVES. PLEASE ADVISE ME ON THE NEXT STEP I NEED TO TAKE TO RESOLVE THE MATTER. FIRESTONE SEEMED UNCOOPERATIVE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. SINCERELY, STEVEN W. GORDON.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: I75/70R138 )
NHTSA complaint #728655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #705918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
RADIATOR FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #543819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE HEAD FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #543819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE BROKE CAUSING CAR TO LOOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #543819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLE SOLD WITHOUT PRIOR HISTORY INFORMATION STATING VEHICLE WAS SALVAGED.
NHTSA complaint #543170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VALVE TRAIN CAME LOOSE CAUSING ENGINE TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #541926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
WINDOW CRANKS FALL OFF.
NHTSA complaint #541926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:LUBRICANT
RECALL ON TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF GRINDING, REPLACED TRANSMISSION OIL.
NHTSA complaint #541926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
PRE-CAT AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD REPLACED DUE TO COMPONENTS OVERHEATING, CAUSING CRACKING AND DISINTEGRATING.
NHTSA complaint #536491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH LAP BELTS.
NHTSA complaint #531846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE VIBRATES SEVERLY WITH LOUD SHAKING AND A RATTLING NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #529579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE, UNPREDICTABLY, LACKS POWER WHEN ACCELERATION FROM IDLE OR NEAR IDLE.
NHTSA complaint #529577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE WILL NOT HOLD PROPER ALIGNMENT, RESULTING IN TIRE WEAR.
NHTSA complaint #517483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
STARTER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #517483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ENGINE OVERHEATED, CAUSING OVERFLOW CONTAINER TO ERUPT IN DRIVER'S FACE, RESULTING IN FACIAL BURNS.
NHTSA complaint #507298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
NHTSA complaint #508890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO REED VALVE SUB ASSEMBLY FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #505577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED AT OXYGEN SENSOR, CAUSING EXHAUST SYSTEM TO BACK UP/FAIL, AS WELL AS THE ENGINE/HEADS/HEAD GASKET TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #505857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
OIL LEAK FROM REAR MAIN SEAL/VALVE COVER GASKET.
NHTSA complaint #502251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.