Owners have filed 44 complaints
about the 1991 Hyundai Excel with NHTSA between 1995 and 2005.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
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.
Automatic Transmission
836.4%
Windshield
313.6%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers
29.1%
Body
29.1%
Gasoline
29.1%
Glass, Side/Rear
29.1%
Manual Transmission
29.1%
Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift
14.5%
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 7Mar 2005
NHTSA investigations into the 1991 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 1991 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.
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
West Haven, CTCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD/COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER HAS NOTICED THE PROBLEM, THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED DUE TO A SLIPPED PIN.
NHTSA complaint #813821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HATCH LIFT ASSIST BARS FAILED, CAUSING HATCH TO FALL ON PERSON'S HEAD.
NHTSA complaint #519099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Peters, MOFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED, FIRE UNDER THE DASH. FIRE DEPT. SAYS IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #985486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Florence, KYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, BRAIN CELL MELTED DOWN, FUSES BLOWN. TT
NHTSA complaint #961454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Florence, KYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, BRAIN CELL MELTED DOWN, FUSES BLOWN. TT
NHTSA complaint #961454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salt Lake CI, UTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ENGINE ELECTRICAL FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT; WHILE DRIVING, STALLED, BURST INTO FLAMES; VEHICLE TOTALLED. TT
NHTSA complaint #960829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 68,485 milesRichmond,, VA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 HAD 68,485 ORIGINAL MILES!
NHTSA complaint #10116097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesBakersfield, CA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10066298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Metairie, LA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION CASE CRACKED, DUE TO DRIVING OVER A DIP IN THE DRIVEWAY, (CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS VEHICLE)
NHTSA complaint #567302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hawley, PA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #712400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gloucester, VA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION DEFECTIVE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #547859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gloucester, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE DEFECTIVE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #547859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valley Streem, NY
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE WINDOWS(PASSENGER AND DRIVER) IN THE REAR EXPLODED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 2 OTHER OCCASIONS. THE WINDOWS WERE REPLACED BY OWNER ALL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROLBEM. *AK THE FIRST WINDOW EXPLODED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE TWO OTHER TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #826531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE, THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT HAS NEVER GONE OFF SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, AND THE CAR CUTS OFF. THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #823870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE, THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT HAS NEVER GONE OFF SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, AND THE CAR CUTS OFF. THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #823870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sicklervil, NJ
STRUCTURE:BODY
LOOSE MOLDING AROUND REAR WHEEL WELL BROKE OFF, CAUSING LOST OF CONTROL BY STRIKING THE CENTER WALL OF THE VEHICLE. (NEW JERSEY POLICE REPORT)
NHTSA complaint #603367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Haven, CTCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD/COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER HAS NOTICED THE PROBLEM, THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED DUE TO A SLIPPED PIN.
NHTSA complaint #813821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HATCH LIFT ASSIST BARS FAILED, CAUSING HATCH TO FALL ON PERSON'S HEAD.
NHTSA complaint #519099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Naugatuck, CT
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY 60MPH AND THE HOOD RELEASED. PULLED OVER TO CLOSE HOOD, AND THEN NOTICED THE U-SHAPED METAL CLIP DETACHED FROM THE HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #810304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Castle, VA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
BOTH REAR WINDOWS SHATTERED.
NHTSA complaint #514536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mount Vernon, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #510394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IT JUST STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, WHEN IT STARTED AGAIN IT WOULD BEARLY GO. DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OF THIS.
NHTSA complaint #805021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nelsonville, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FOR SEVERAL MONTHS OWNER HAD INTERFERENCE IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. HEAD LIGHTS DIMMED WHEN OTHER ELECTRIC ACCESSORIES WERE USED/ALTERNATOR CHARGED CORRECTLY AND BELTS TIGHTENED W/NO CHANGE IN CONDITION. TWO MECHANICS STATED EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT FINE.*
NHTSA complaint #803753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pontiac, MI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
SHE REQUESTED THE PART FROM THE MANUFACTURER OVER A YEAR AGO AND SHE STILL HAS NOT RECEIVED THE PART REGARDING FUEL SYSTEM RECALL 93V192000.
NHTSA complaint #985758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dalton, IL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 RESIDENCE, DEALERSHIP ADVISED CONSUMER THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THERE WAS AN INTERNAL PART, BUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY CO REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE COVERED PART WITHOUT CONSUMER'S AUTHORIZATION TO BREAK DOWN THE TRANSMISSION FIRST AND TELL THEM EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG.
NHTSA complaint #986242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Peters, MOFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED, FIRE UNDER THE DASH. FIRE DEPT. SAYS IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #985486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charleston, WV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE STOPPED WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #985306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Logan, UT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, FUSE KEEPS BURNING OUT CAUSING ENGINE STALLING.
NHTSA complaint #979784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Logan, UT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, FUSE KEEPS BURNING OUT CAUSING ENGINE STALLING.
NHTSA complaint #979784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarksville, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
POOR PERFORMANCE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. TT
NHTSA complaint #976322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Olympia, WA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW HAS FALLEN OFF THE VEHICLE. TT
NHTSA complaint #974960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.