Model year record

1988 Hyundai Excel

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 64 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 94V103000

Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core

Component
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Vehicles affected
270,000
Reported to NHTSA
1994-06-06
Owners notified
1994-09-20

Defect description

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

Safety risk

THIS CAN RESULT IN A BURN INJURY TO THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER'S FEET AND LEGS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE DEFECTIVE VALVE STEMS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 93V167000

Power train: manual transmission

Component
Power train: manual transmission
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Vehicles affected
515,000
Reported to NHTSA
1993-10-04
Owners notified
1993-11-27

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

HYUNDAI WILL PERFORM A COST FREE TRANSMISSION OIL CHANGE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 91V225000

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system

Component
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Vehicles affected
895,000
Reported to NHTSA
1991-12-31
Owners notified
1992-01-20

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 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.

Safety risk

THE MELTING PLASTIC AIR FILTER CASE MAY LEAD TO A FIREIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE THE REED VALVE SUBASSEMBLY WITH ONE WHOSE METAL COMPONENTS ARE FABRICATED FROM CORROSION RESISTANT STAINLESS STEEL.

Recall campaignNHTSA 89V100000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Vehicles affected
8,550
Reported to NHTSA
1989-06-19
Owners notified
1989-07-03

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline10
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator4
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system4
Engine and engine cooling: engine3119,037 mi
Power train: manual transmission3
Seat belts3
Seat belts: front3
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system3
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Steering: rack and pinion2119,037 mi
Vehicle speed control2
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Power train: automatic transmission1
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1
Power train: manual transmission: lubricant1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Structure1119,037 mi
Structure: frame and members1
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1119,037 mi
Suspension1
Suspension: front1
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1
Tires1
Unknown or other1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1

The 1987 model has 4 times as many complaints as this one. The 1989 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.