Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Hyundai Excel. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Hyundai Excel,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 1986–2001 with 24 recall campaigns and 424 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 1986 (5), 1989 (4), and 1988 (4).
Years with the most complaint volume: 1989 (92), 1988 (64), and 1990 (54).
Top recall themes: Brakes, Other, and Electrical.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Power train:automatic transmission, Power train:manual transmission.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Brakes
2 campaigns · Years: 1986–1987
These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Hyundai Excel in NHTSA complaint data are
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Power train:automatic transmission, Power train:manual transmission.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
2001
0
7
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Air bags:frontal, Seat belts:front:retractor, Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system.
1998
0
2
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:catalytic convertor, Tires.
1997
0
2
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Air bags:frontal, Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly.
1996
0
3
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:lock, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc, Suspension:front.
1995
0
5
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Equipment:appliance:air conditioner, Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal, Air bags:side/window.
1994
2
53
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:manual transmission, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Wheels.
1993
1
26
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Electrical system:ignition, Power train:manual transmission.
1992
1
39
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc, Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch.
1991
1
44
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Visibility:windshield, Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers.
1990
2
54
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Equipment:appliance:air conditioner.
1989
4
92
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:heater core, Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system.
1988
4
64
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator, Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system.
1987
4
16
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system, Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:heater core, Electrical system:ignition.
1986
5
17
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:manual transmission, Electrical system, Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Fuel system
, Vehicle speed control
and Engine and engine cooling
Show recall evidence by year
1994
Fuel system, gasoline:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Electrical system: Alternator/generator/regulator:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1993
Fuel system, gasoline:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1992
Fuel system, gasoline:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1991
Fuel system, gasoline:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1990
Wheels: Hubcap/cover:
Safety recall involving the wheels area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1989
Vehicle speed control:
Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Engine and engine cooling: Exhaust system:
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Power train: Manual transmission:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Visibility: Heater core:
Safety recall involving the visibility area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Engine and engine cooling: Exhaust system:
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Power train: Manual transmission:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Visibility: Heater core:
Safety recall involving the visibility area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The heater control valve stem does not meet the material specifications. High coolant temperatures can cause the stem to leak.
1987
Service brakes, hydraulic: Pads:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Engine and engine cooling: Exhaust system:
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Power train: Manual transmission:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1986
Service brakes, hydraulic: Pedals and linkages:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: A cotter pin in the brake pedal to brake master cylinder linkage assembly may be missing. This pin acts as a retainer for the brake master cylinder pushrod clevis pin. Consequence of defect: the clevis pin may slide out causing the master cylinder/brake pedal linkage to become disengaged. If this
Service brakes, hydraulic: Pads:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Engine and engine cooling: Exhaust system:
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Power train: Manual transmission:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Other Hyundai Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Hyundai models.
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data.
This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
