1989 HYUNDAI EXCEL

4 recalls, 92 complaints - 12 TSBs

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

Defect Description

THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE STEM DOES NOT MEET THE MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS. HIGH COOLANT TEMPERATURES CAN CAUSE THE STEM TO LEAK.

Consequence

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.

270,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Defect Description

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.

Consequence

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.

515,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

Defect Description

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... Read more

Consequence

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.

895,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Defect Description

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.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE ERRATIC CRUISE CONTROL OPERATION, WHICHCOULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.

8,550 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Complaint Statistics

92 total complaints 2 crashes 24 fires 2 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	13
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE	11
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM	8
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION	6
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT	5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD	5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM	4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM	4

Incident date: Jan 1, 1995

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH ON HIGHWAY, AND SHE NOTICED THAT VEHICLE WAS HESITATING/POPPYING, AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY SPEED. ALSO, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Mar 25, 2000

WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD, TRAVELING 45 TO 50MPH, LOOKED DOWN AND SPILLED FOOD. WENT OFF THE ROAD, HIT A TREE AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DIDN'T RETRACT OR HOLD. DIDN'T CONTACT DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. *AK

Crash

Incident date: Jan 29, 2000

DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP CAN CAUSE LARGE AMOUNT OF FUEL TO BE PUSHED OUT OF A HOSE NEAR THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED INTO A FIRE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECAL. *AK

Incident date: Mar 24, 1998

ENGINE OVERHEATED, COOLANT ADDED SEVERAL TIMES, FINALLY RESULTED IN FIRE.

Fire

Incident date: Mar 24, 1998

ENGINE FIRE AS A RESULT OF ENGINE OVERHEATING. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT). *AK

Fire

RECALL 93V167000; 4 MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL HAD BEEN SERVICED THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT. DEALER SAYS IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Incident date: May 13, 1998

RECALL # 93V167000 POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION: STANDARD: MANUAL CAR WILL NOT SHIFT BETWEEN 4TH & 5TH GEAR. THERE WAS NOT A PROLBEM WITH THE GEARS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CHANGED IN THE VEHICLE. *AK

Incident date: Nov 13, 1993

MOLDING OVER DRIVER'S DOOR IS BROKEN.

Incident date: Oct 25, 1991

KNOCKING NOISE IN ENGINE AREA.

Incident date: Apr 18, 1991

WHEN DEFROST AND LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON, THE GAS GAUGE READS WAY PAST FULL, TEMPERATURE GAUGE GOES TO RED, CLOCK STOPS, AND SOMETIMES DASH LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON.

Incident date: Nov 13, 1993

DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR CLIP BROKEN AND REPLACED.

Incident date: Oct 13, 1993

THE HOOD ROD CLIP BROKE.

Incident date: Apr 18, 1991

TRANSAXLE REPLACED DUE TO LEAKAGE.

Incident date: Feb 24, 1994

EXHAUST SYSTEM - EGR VALVE: WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL BEGAN TO SMELL FUMES, SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Mar 17, 1997

MANUAL INDICATES HOW TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION OIL LEVEL BY LOOSENING AND REMOVING THE OIL FILLER BOLT AND USE YOUR FINGER TO FEEL INSIDE THE HOLE TO SEE IF THE OIL LEVEL IS AT THE BOTTOM EDGE OF THE HOLE WHICH IS INCORRECT. THE AREA IN TH

Incident date: Jun 7, 1996

VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT.

Incident date: Jun 7, 1996

ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR PROBLEMS.

Incident date: Jan 1, 1995

HEATER CORE FAILED, CAUSING HOT FLUID TO POUR FROM UNDER DASH.

Incident date: Jul 26, 1996

VEHICLE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT) *DH

Fire

Incident date: Apr 8, 1991

COOLANT SYSTEM VALVE FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *DH

(RECALL)TOOK THE CAR IN TO BE REPAIRED AND THE DEALER GAVE HIM A HARD TIME WITH TRYING TO CHARGE FOR A DIAGNOSIS. HEATER CORE RECALL 94V103000. *AK

Incident date: Jun 13, 1996

THE B+ WIRE BECOMES VERY HOT AND CAUSES THE ALTERNATOR TO BURN. *AK

Incident date: Nov 3, 1995

TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE AFTER RECALL. *DSH

Incident date: Feb 7, 1996

HEATER CONTROL VALVE REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL. *SD

Incident date: Jan 20, 1995

WHILE DRIVING CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. PLEASE DESCR0831000AILS.

Fire

Incident date: Jan 20, 1995

WHILE DRIVING CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. PLEASE DESCR0831000AILS.

Fire

Incident date: Feb 17, 1996

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, UNKNOWN ORIGIN OF FIRE. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Feb 17, 1996

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, UNKNOWN ORIGIN OF FIRE. *AK

Fire

AFTER PARKING, ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *AK

Fire

RECALL HEATER CORE; HAD RECALL DONE RALLY CHEV., IN PALMDALE CA. AFTERWARDS, VEHICLE WILL NOT GO OVER 5 MPH. DEALER REFUSES TO EVALUATE FURTHER. TT

Incident date: Jan 19, 1996

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. CAR WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

Fire

FIXED UNDER RECALL #94V10300. SAME PROBLEM IS OCCURING ALL OVER AGAIN. REPLACED PART HIMSELF. TT

WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING INTO VEHICLE THROUGH VENTS, THEN SUDDENLY ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE, FIRE DEPARTMENT COULDN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE. TT

Fire

WHEN ICE IS UNDER THE SNOW YOU JUST SLIDE ON THE ROAD. ABS IS NOT WORKING. TT

Incident date: Jan 22, 1996

REFUSED THE RECALL LETTER AND WOULD NOT SET UP AN APPOINTMENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

Incident date: Dec 1, 1995

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE POWER SEIZED BEFORE COMING TO HALT ENGINE CUT OFF. ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

Fire

Incident date: Sep 13, 1994

ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM OVERHEATED, RESULTING IN ANTI-FREEZE LEAK. *AK

Incident date: Dec 20, 1994

REPLACED A/C COOLING FAN RELAY .

Incident date: Dec 20, 1994

HEATER CONTROL VALVE STEM FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK PRIOR TO SERVICE RECALL. *AK

Incident date: Oct 31, 1995

RECALL RELATED, 91V225000, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING UNDER THE HOOD COMPARTMENT FIRE. TT

Fire

Incident date: Sep 15, 1995

CONSUMER PULLS OUT THE STREET WAS GOING UP THE HILL THE GEAR LOCKS UP. TT

Incident date: Nov 2, 1992

HAD WORK DONE ON HEATER CORE IN 1992 RECIEVED RECALL NOTICE IN 1994 FOR HEATER CORE MANUFACTURER ONLY WANTS TO REIMBURSE HALF THE MONEY. TT

Incident date: Aug 1, 1995

CONTINUOUSLY REPLACING CLUTCH CABLE, DUE TO BREAKAGE. TT

A YEAR AGO CONSUMER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE HEATER CORE RECEIVED A RECALL THIS SPRING. TT

Incident date: Sep 1, 1993

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. *AW

Fire

Incident date: May 10, 1995

TRANSAXLE FAILED, CAUSING SHAFT TO BE DRIVEN INTO MOTOR, RESULTING IN MOTOR FREEZING UP. *SKD

Incident date: Jul 6, 1995

MANIFOLD IN THE ENGINE CAMPARTMENT MELTED DOWN AND BURNED. TT

Incident date: Jul 12, 1995

ENGINE FAILURE, RODS, PISTONS AND BEARING MALFUNCTION AT 47K *AK

Incident date: Jan 26, 1995

VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY RUNS HOT. *SKD

Incident date: Oct 18, 1993

HEATER CORE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL, CAUSING COOLANT LEAK. *SKD

Showing 50 of 92 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1989 HYUNDAI EXCEL

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
1.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	23.0	29.0	26.0	Regular	$2,400
1.5L 4-cyl, Manual 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	23.0	30.0	26.0	Regular	$2,400
1.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	24.0	33.0	28.0	Regular	$2,200

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Subcompact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1989 HYUNDAI EXCEL

12 manufacturer communications from 8 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
350000 EQUIPMENT	2
138600 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE	1
105300 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT	1
270000 LANE DEPARTURE	1
280000 BACK OVER PREVENTION	1
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1
190000 TIRES	1
200000 WHEELS	1

130000 VISIBILITY

This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside th

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

This bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain vehicles listed below.

350000 EQUIPMENT

This bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain vehicles listed below.

030000 BRAKES (PWS)

This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear around the brake caliper area.

190000 TIRES

This bulletin provides tire vibration service procedures, including how to optimize vehicle vibration performance. For all wheel/tire balance claims, the a??Tire Balance Data Sheeta?? must be fully completed including imbalance and Road For

200000 WHEELS

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information on identifying dealer stock vehicles with either: a?? A Battery SOC alert - low Battery State of Charge (SOC) at or below 50%. a?? A 30 Day alert - vehicle has not started and reported an SOC in 30 days.

350000 EQUIPMENT

270000 LANE DEPARTURE

The Blind Spot Detection (BSD) or Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) is a system that measures the speed of and distance from the following vehicles by using two magnetic wave radar sensors attached in the rear bumper. The BSD/BCW detects v

280000 BACK OVER PREVENTION

105300 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

SHIFT CONDITION CAUSED BY SHORT CIRCUIT IN INHIBITOR SWITCH. *TW

138600 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

EXCELS EQUIPPED WITH HEATER CORES MANUFACTURED BY MANDO MAY EXPERIENCE COOLANT LEAKAGE FROM THE HEATER VALVE STEM ASSEMBLY. *TW

NHTSA Safety Investigations, HYUNDAI EXCEL

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1986

CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURES

There is no summary currently available

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1986

HEATER CORE FAILURE

There is no summary currently available

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1990

TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION

There is no summary currently available

C, Closed , Model Year: 1986

TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION

There is no summary currently available

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1987

AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE

There is no summary currently available

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1986

TRANSMISSION LOCK-UP

There is no summary currently available

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1987

AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILS

There is no summary currently available

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1988

TRANSMISSION LOCKUP

There is no summary currently available

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1986

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

There is no summary currently available

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1986

PASSENGER BRAKE

There is no summary currently available

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1986

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

There is no summary currently available

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1987

FRONT SUSPENSION VIBRATION

There is no summary currently available

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1987

PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM

===

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1986

HEATER CORE FAILURE

===

PE, Closed

RUPTURED FUEL HOSE

There is no summary currently available

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1986

STEERING SHAFT SEPARATION

There is no summary currently available

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1986

BRAKE LOSS

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER: HYUNDAI HAS AGREED TO RECALL1986 AND 1987 EXCELS FOR NONCOMPLIANCE.ANALYSIS: ODI'S INQUIRY TO OVSC ABOUT THE 1986 MODEL'S PERFORMANCEIN THE FMVSS-105 COMPLIANCE TEST, PROMPTED OVSC TO TEST THE 1987 MODEL,AND FOUND IT TO BE OUT OF COMPLIANCE. BASED ON OUR INV... Read more

HYUNDAI EXCEL - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the HYUNDAI EXCEL across all model years (1986, 1994).

24 Total Recalls

429 Total Complaints

17 Investigations

29 Reported Crashes

47 Reported Fires

2 Reported Deaths

HYUNDAI EXCEL - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2001	0	7	View
1998	0	2	View
1997	0	2	View
1996	0	3	View
1995	0	5	View
1994	2	53	View
1993	1	26	View
1992	1	39	View
1991	1	44	View
1990	2	54	View
1989 (current)	4	92
1988	4	64	View
1987	4	16	View
1986	5	17	View

Other HYUNDAI Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
SONATA	184	21,863	View
SANTA FE	153	9,962	View
ELANTRA	133	11,853	View
PALISADE	124	2,704	View
TUCSON	95	8,074	View
SONATA HYBRID	67	1,129	View
IONIQ 5	66	1,865	View
ACCENT	64	2,745	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

1989 HYUNDAI EXCEL

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

EPA Fuel Economy, 1989 HYUNDAI EXCEL

Technical Service Bulletins, 1989 HYUNDAI EXCEL

Most Affected Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, HYUNDAI EXCEL

HYUNDAI EXCEL - All Years Overview

HYUNDAI EXCEL - Year by Year

Other HYUNDAI Models