FaultScore report
Owners have filed 92 complaints about the 1989 Hyundai Excel with NHTSA between 1995 and 2001. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
92
Complaints
2
Crashes reported
24
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
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.
0 crashes, 1 fires
2 crashes, 0 fires
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
TRANSMISSION LOCKUP
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
PASSENGER BRAKE
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH ON HIGHWAY, AND SHE NOTICED THAT VEHICLE WAS HESITATING/POPPYING, AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY SPEED. ALSO, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #879268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD, TRAVELING 45 TO 50MPH, LOOKED DOWN AND SPILLED FOOD. WENT OFF THE ROAD, HIT A TREE AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DIDN'T RETRACT OR HOLD. DIDN'T CONTACT DEALER OR MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #859681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE OVERHEATED, COOLANT ADDED SEVERAL TIMES, FINALLY RESULTED IN FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #534348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FIRE AS A RESULT OF ENGINE OVERHEATING. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT).
NHTSA complaint #534348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
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.
NHTSA complaint #812295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
NHTSA complaint #506687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH ON HIGHWAY, AND SHE NOTICED THAT VEHICLE WAS HESITATING/POPPYING, AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY SPEED. ALSO, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #879268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD, TRAVELING 45 TO 50MPH, LOOKED DOWN AND SPILLED FOOD. WENT OFF THE ROAD, HIT A TREE AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DIDN'T RETRACT OR HOLD. DIDN'T CONTACT DEALER OR MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #859681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP CAN CAUSE LARGE AMOUNT OF FUEL TO BE PUSHED OUT OF A HOSE NEAR THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED INTO A FIRE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECAL.
NHTSA complaint #718057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE OVERHEATED, COOLANT ADDED SEVERAL TIMES, FINALLY RESULTED IN FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #534348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FIRE AS A RESULT OF ENGINE OVERHEATING. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT).
NHTSA complaint #534348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
RECALL 93V167000; 4 MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL HAD BEEN SERVICED THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT. DEALER SAYS IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #823974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
RECALL # 93V167000 POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION: STANDARD: MANUAL CAR WILL NOT SHIFT BETWEEN 4TH & 5TH GEAR. THERE WAS NOT A PROLBEM WITH THE GEARS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CHANGED IN THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #823295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MOLDING OVER DRIVER'S DOOR IS BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #515630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
KNOCKING NOISE IN ENGINE AREA.
NHTSA complaint #515630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
THE HOOD ROD CLIP BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #515630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR CLIP BROKEN AND REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #515630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
WHEN DEFROST AND LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON, THE GAS GAUGE READS WAY PAST FULL, TEMPERATURE GAUGE GOES TO RED, CLOCK STOPS, AND SOMETIMES DASH LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON.
NHTSA complaint #515630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
TRANSAXLE REPLACED DUE TO LEAKAGE.
NHTSA complaint #515630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
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.
NHTSA complaint #812295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
MANUAL INDICATES HOW TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION OIL LEVEL BY LOOSENING AND REMOVING THE OIL FILLER BOLT AND USE YOUR FINGER TO FEEL INSIDE THE HOLE TO SEE IF THE OIL LEVEL IS AT THE BOTTOM EDGE OF THE HOLE WHICH IS INCORRECT. THE AREA IN TH
NHTSA complaint #515862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #508560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #508560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
HEATER CORE FAILED, CAUSING HOT FLUID TO POUR FROM UNDER DASH.
NHTSA complaint #502730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
NHTSA complaint #506687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
COOLANT SYSTEM VALVE FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #501870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
(RECALL)TOOK THE CAR IN TO BE REPAIRED AND THE DEALER GAVE HIM A HARD TIME WITH TRYING TO CHARGE FOR A DIAGNOSIS. HEATER CORE RECALL 94V103000.
NHTSA complaint #985829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
THE B+ WIRE BECOMES VERY HOT AND CAUSES THE ALTERNATOR TO BURN.
NHTSA complaint #985612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE AFTER RECALL. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #501410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
HEATER CONTROL VALVE REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #501467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. PLEASE DESCR0831000AILS.
NHTSA complaint #979543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.