IllustrationELECTRICAL PROBLEM, TROUBLE OPENING DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, AND FUEL PUMP FAILED.
1990 Hyundai Excel
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Excel years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 38 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
8 reportsDURING VEHICLE OPERATION THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. *AK
ELECTRONIC COMPUTER FAILED CAUSING ENGINE STALL.
WIRING HARNESS ATTACHED TO FIREWALL RELEASED AND WRAPPED AROUND TIRE AXLE; STOPPED VEHICLE FROM 55 MPH TO 0 MPH; VEHICLE WAS ON EDGE OF CLIFF. TT *JB
REPLACED COMPUTER. *AK
THE VEHICLE HESTITATED THEN STOPPED COMPLETELY, THEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. TT
THE WIRES IN THE FRONT HALF BURNT COMPLETELY OUT AND IT LOCKED UP THE ENGINE, RESULTING IN A FIRE/ACCIDENT/INJUTIES. *AK
WHILE DRIVING, SUDDENLY ENGINE SHUT DOWN AT APPROX. 65MPH, NO PRIOR WARNING, DEALER REPLACE A FUSE. TT
Official recalls
293V192000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Nov 23, 1993
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
90V053000 · Wheels:hubcap/cover
Mar 15, 1990
LOCK WASHER LOCATED UNDER THE NUT THAT SECURES THE FRONT HUB TO THE DRIVE SHAFT MAY HAVE HAD IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT AND COULD CRACK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
5PE95060 · Scissor Jack Failure
Opened Dec 9, 1995 · Closed Mar 21, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/screw/bottle Jack/lift
There is no summary currently available
PE94043 · Charging System Failures
Opened May 27, 1994 · Closed Oct 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
EA92032 · Transmission Malfunction
Opened Oct 13, 1992 · Closed Oct 29, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
EA91039 · Transmission LOCK-UP
Opened Sep 24, 1991 · Closed Oct 13, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
PE91053 · Passenger Brake
Opened Feb 26, 1991 · Closed Jun 5, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available