NHTSA has issued 15 recalls covering the Hyundai Excel. A recall repair is always free, however old the car is.
Check your own car by VIN
Recalls apply to specific build ranges, so a recall listed here may or may not cover your particular vehicle. NHTSA's free VIN lookup is the authority: nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE DEFECTIVE VALVE STEMS.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE DEFECTIVE VALVE STEMS.
IN SOME VEHICLES, THE MANUFACTURER'S PROTECTIVE INTERNAL COATING OF THE ELECTRONIC CRANK ANGLE SENSOR DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS, WHICH CAN CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT AT HIGH OPERATING TEMPERATURES. THIS CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL.
Risk: ENGINE STALLING HAS THE POTENTIAL TO RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH IF IT OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE SENSOR IS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL, AND REPLACE ANY SENSOR FOUND WITH THE DEFECTIVE INTERNAL COATING.
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.
Remedy: HYUNDAI HAS DEVELOPED AN APPROPRIATE COUNTERMEASURE THAT WILL COMPLY WITH ALL REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 301.
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.
Remedy: HYUNDAI HAS DEVELOPED AN APPROPRIATE COUNTERMEASURE THAT WILL COMPLY WITH ALL REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 301.
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.
Remedy: HYUNDAI HAS DEVELOPED AN APPROPRIATE COUNTERMEASURE THAT WILL COMPLY WITH ALL REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 301.
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.
Remedy: HYUNDAI HAS DEVELOPED AN APPROPRIATE COUNTERMEASURE THAT WILL COMPLY WITH ALL REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 301.
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.
Remedy: HYUNDAI HAS DEVELOPED AN APPROPRIATE COUNTERMEASURE THAT WILL COMPLY WITH ALL REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 301.
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.
Remedy: HYUNDAI WILL PERFORM A COST FREE TRANSMISSION OIL CHANGE.
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.
Remedy: HYUNDAI WILL PERFORM A COST FREE TRANSMISSION OIL CHANGE.
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.
Remedy: REPLACE THE REED VALVE SUBASSEMBLY WITH ONE WHOSE METAL COMPONENTS ARE FABRICATED FROM CORROSION RESISTANT STAINLESS STEEL.
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.
Remedy: REPLACE THE REED VALVE SUBASSEMBLY WITH ONE WHOSE METAL COMPONENTS ARE FABRICATED FROM CORROSION RESISTANT STAINLESS STEEL.
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.
Remedy: REPLACE LOCK WASHER ON EACH FRONT WHEEL AND REPAIR AREA AROUND LOCK WASHER AS NECESSARY.
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.
Remedy: REPLACE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.
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.
Remedy: REPLACE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.
Transport Canada runs its own recall programme. Its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones, so a Canadian owner reading a US-only list is reading about a different car than the one on their driveway.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
NOTE: 5 DOOR MODELS ONLY. THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN U-JOINT (COUPLER) BOLT MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT TORQUE AND COULD LOOSEN. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: LOWER STEERING COLUMN COUPLER BOLT WILL BE REPLACED AND TORQUED.
THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS THAT UNDER CERTAIN BRAKING CONDITIONS, FRONT BRAKE FADE MAY OCCUR,THUS REDUCING BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS. CORRECTION: IMPROVED SEMI-METALLIC BRAKE PADS WILL BE INSTALLED.
THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS THAT UNDER CERTAIN BRAKING CONDITIONS, FRONT BRAKE FADE MAY OCCUR,THUS REDUCING BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS. CORRECTION: IMPROVED SEMI-METALLIC BRAKE PADS WILL BE INSTALLED.
THE FUEL RETURN TUBE CLIP MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED ALLOWING THE FUEL RETURN HOSE TO CONTACT EITHER THE DISTRIBUTOR HIGH TENSION CABLE OR THE E.G.R. VALVE. THIS COULD, OVER TIME, RESULT IN WEAR AND EVENTUAL LEAKAGE AT THE FUEL HOSE. THE FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. V.I.N. RANGE S.O.P. TO KMHLA31J1GU040086
THE COTTER PIN THAT RETAINS THE BRAKE CLEVIS PIN MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED. IF THE COTTER PIN WAS OMITTED OR IF IT WERE TO FALL OUT OF THE CLEVIS PIN,THE VEHICLES' BRAKES WOULD BE SUBJECT TO FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING.
Source: Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database.