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.
Gasoline
418.2%
AIR Conditioner
313.6%
Fuel Pump
313.6%
Engine
313.6%
Windshield
313.6%
RIM
29.1%
Clutch Assembly
29.1%
Catalytic Convertor
29.1%
When owners complained
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.
Jan 1995peak 8Sep 2001
NHTSA investigations into the 1990 Hyundai Excel
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.
PE95060Opened 9 Dec 1995Closed 21 Mar 1996EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
SCISSOR JACK FAILURE
PE94043Opened 27 May 1994Closed 31 Oct 1994ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURES
EA92032Opened 13 Oct 1992Closed 29 Oct 1993POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION
EA91039Opened 24 Sep 1991Closed 13 Oct 1992POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION LOCK-UP
PE91053Opened 26 Feb 1991Closed 5 Jun 1991SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PASSENGER BRAKE
Recalls on the 1990 Hyundai Excel
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.
United States — NHTSA
93V192000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE VEHICLES FAILED THE LATERAL MOVING BARRIER IMPACT TEST REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THE FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE GAS TANK EXCEEDED THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE AMOUNT OF SPILLAGE.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE FUEL SPILLAGE CAN RESULTIN A FIRE IF EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
90V053000
WHEELS:HUBCAP/COVER
LOCK WASHER LOCATED UNDER THE NUT THAT SECURES THE FRONT HUB TO THE DRIVE SHAFT MAY HAVE HAD IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT AND COULD CRACK.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE WHEEL BEARING FREEPLAY AND COULD RESULT IN BEARING DAMAGE, AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL THROUGH WHEEL FAILURE.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199317636,660 units in Canada
Fuel System
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 301 - FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY. IN A DRIVER'S SIDE IMPACT THE REAR LEFT-HAND SPRING SEAT COULD PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK. CORRECTION: A SPRING SEAT PROTECTOR WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE STANDARD.
Recall 19900721,837 units in Canada
Suspension
THE LOCK WASHER LOCATED UNDER THE NUT THAT SECURES THE FRONT HUB TO THE DRIVESHAFT MAY CRACK DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT. THIS COULD RESULT IN WHEEL BEARING FREEPLAY AND BEARING DAMAGE WITH POSSIBLE WHEEL LOCK-UP OR BRAKE CALIPER KNOCKBACK. CORRECTION: WASHER WILL BE REPLACED NOTE: ALL UNITS HAVE BEEN CORRECTED.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Kingwood, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE SPUTTERED, STOPPED RUNNING, CAUGHT FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #752442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NECrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE CROSSED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND CONSUMER CRASHED INTO IT. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #836117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lusby, MD1 injured
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
REAR SIDE WINDOWS EXPLODED, CAUSING INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #484950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elmsford, NY1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #977405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elmsford, NYFire1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
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.
NHTSA complaint #977405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Trenton, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE HESTITATED THEN STOPPED COMPLETELY, THEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. TT
NHTSA complaint #969811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Kingwood, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE SPUTTERED, STOPPED RUNNING, CAUGHT FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #752442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Savanna, IL
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #726256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Babylon, NY
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
THE CLUTCH FORK BROKE, JAMMING THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO, CAUSING THE CLUTCH TO BECOME INOPERABLE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #851953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NECrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE CROSSED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND CONSUMER CRASHED INTO IT. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #836117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Budd Lake, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE PROCEEDING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE DURING THE COMMUTING HOUR, THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND I CAME CLOSE TO BEING HIT IN THE REAR. AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS I REGAINED SOME POWER AND WAS ABLE TO PROCEED. THE CAR WAS IDLING ROUGH AND I HAD TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AT ALL TIMES TO KEEP IT RUNNING. I HAD IT TURNED UP AND IT RAN BETTER BUT STILL A LACK OF POWER. I HAD TO HAVE IT INSPECTED AND IT FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE THE POLLUTION WAS AT 1200. I THEN HAD IT TUNED UP AGAIN (FULLY) AND IT FAILED AGAIN. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT A STATION AND FOUND OUT THAT CYLINDER 3 DID NOT HAVE ANY PRESSURE AT ALL. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT TO GET IT FIXED IT WOULD COST AROUND $1,000. IT STILL IS NOT FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #703813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #830285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfiel, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, TROUBLE OPENING DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, AND FUEL PUMP FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #527219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfiel, IL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, TROUBLE OPENING DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, AND FUEL PUMP FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #527219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfiel, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, TROUBLE OPENING DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, AND FUEL PUMP FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #527219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, UN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON.
NHTSA complaint #780392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Petersburg, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
ELECTRONIC COMPUTER FAILED CAUSING ENGINE STALL.
NHTSA complaint #508905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Southington, CT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DURING RAPID ACCELERATION, WHILE STOPPING, BRAKES REQUIRED EXCESSIVE PRESSURE, AND COULD FEEL "CHATTERING" IN BRAKES & THEN A LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP LIKE IT SUPPOSE TO; SLOW RESPONSE TIME.
NHTSA complaint #810079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Havasue, AZ
WHEELS:RIM
ALL FOUR RIMS ARE CRACKED DUE TO DESIGN.
NHTSA complaint #809148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Havasu City, AZ
WHEELS
WHEN REPLACING TIRES FOUND ALL (4) WHEELS WERE CRACKED. (2) WHEELS ARE SPLIT FROM RIM TO BOLT HOLES. OTHER (2) WHEELS ARE SHOWING CRACKS AND SIGNS OF SPLITTING.
NHTSA complaint #809765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
WHEELS:RIM
DRIVER'S SIDE REAR RIM DEVELOPED TWO HAIRLINE CRACKS.
NHTSA complaint #511882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Queens, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DURING VEHICLE OPERATION THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #805890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THROTTLE SENSOR MISADJUSTED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO IDLE ROUGH.
NHTSA complaint #502201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
TIRES
ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #502201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER HOSE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #502201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
'O' RINGS REPLACED DUE TO WEAK MATERIAL.
NHTSA complaint #502201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Riche, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
VEHICLE DOES NOT CONFORM TO LATER IMPACT PORTION OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 301, FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY. (93V192000) *DSH
NHTSA complaint #500838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Belvo, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLED ON INTERSTATE.
NHTSA complaint #501740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Belvo, VA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED SIX TIMES. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #501740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Belvo, VA
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
CV BOOTS FAILED FIVE TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #501740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lusby, MD1 injured
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
REAR SIDE WINDOWS EXPLODED, CAUSING INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #484950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.