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Hyundai Excel Problems, Recalls and MPG by Year

What this means

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns across the Hyundai Excel, 1986–2001. Owners have filed 319 complaints with NHTSA. Of the last 14 model years with settled counts, the 1989 drew the most (68) and the 1997 the fewest (2).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Hyundai Excel complaints by model year

319 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.

19861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719982001
ComplaintsStill collecting reports3Recall campaigns

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fewest complaints

  • 1997 · 2 complaints
  • 1998 · 2 complaints
  • 1996 · 3 complaints

Most complaints

  • 1989 · 68 complaints
  • 1988 · 43 complaints
  • 1991 · 38 complaints

Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →

Problem areas by model year

Complaints that name each component, 1990–2001. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.

Hyundai Excel owner complaints by component and model year (NHTSA ODI)
Component1990199119921993199419951996199719982001
Power train 610148800001
Electrical system 8633500000
Engine and engine cooling 8244600010
Seat belts 1333400002
Service brakes 2340511000
Fuel system 5220300001
Visibility 4401000100
Wheels 3111400000

Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Hyundai Excel recalls (9)

Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one Excel model year, newest first.

NHTSA recall campaigns for the Hyundai Excel
CampaignFiledWhatModel yearsRepaired
94V103000Jun 6, 1994HEATER:WATER:DEFROSTER:DEFOGGER:HEATER CORE:WATER1988, 1989—
94V090000May 11, 1994ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR:REGULATOR:STARTER1994—
93V192000Nov 23, 1993FUEL:FUEL SYSTEMS1990–1994—
93V167000Oct 4, 1993POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:STANDARD:MANUAL1986–1989—
91V225000Dec 31, 1991EXHAUST/CRANKCASE EMISSION CONTROL DEVICES1986–1989—
90V053000Mar 15, 1990WHEELS:HUB1990—
89V100000Jun 19, 1989EQUIPMENT:SPEED CONTROL1986–1989—
87V180000Nov 25, 1987BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:DISC:PADS AND SHOES1986, 1987—
86V043000Mar 17, 1986BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:LINKAGE:PEDAL1986—

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.

Check on NHTSA ↗

Fuel economy by model year

198724–27 mpg
198826–28 mpg
198926–28 mpg
199026–28 mpg
199126–28 mpg
199226–28 mpg
199326–28 mpg
199427 mpg

EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Where to next

Hyundai Excel FAQ

How many recalls has the Hyundai Excel had?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns that cover at least one Hyundai Excel model year from 1986 to 2001. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.

Which Hyundai Excel year has the most complaints?

Among the last 14 model years with settled counts, the 1989 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (68) and the 1997 the fewest (2). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.

What are the most common Hyundai Excel problems?

Across the 1990–2001 model years, owners most often name the power train, electrical system, engine and engine cooling in complaints filed with NHTSA.

What mpg does the Hyundai Excel get?

EPA rates the 1994 Hyundai Excel at 27 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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