1988 Hyundai EXCEL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
119,037 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 32 complaints (15.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 12.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 3 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 3 |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 3 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 5; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 3; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 3; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System: 3; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Seat Belts: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 30 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 19 |
| 1996 | 10 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
1995: 19; 1996: 10; 2000: 1; 2003: 1; 2005: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10040620 · 2003-09-23 (September 23, 2003)
RACK AND PINION IS LEAKING, BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT AND UPPER TIE BAR IS BENT.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS POORLY WELDED ON ONE SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME *TS THE CROSS MEMEBER WAS BENT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 119,037 miles reported. Look up ODI 10040620 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064949 · 2005-07-15 (July 15, 2005)
PROBLEMS WITH BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT, RACK AND PINION LEAKAGE, BENT CROSSMEMBER IN THE SUBFRAME, ETC. (NAR) *PH *CB THE CONSUMER SENT ANOTHER COMPLAINT REFERENCING 10040082,10022196,10011711, & 10003824 ALL OF WHICH WENT UN-ANSWERED. *TC
Owner-reported narrative. 119,037 miles reported. Look up ODI 10064949 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480030 · 1995-01-27 (January 27, 1995)
ENGINE FIRE. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480030 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480034 · 1995-01-25 (January 25, 1995)
VEHICLE DESIGNED WITHOUT FRONT LAP BELTS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480034 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480319 · 1995-02-01 (February 1, 1995)
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE PRIOR TO RECALL. (91V-225) *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480335 · 1995-01-29 (January 29, 1995)
ALTERNATOR REPLACED SIX TIMES. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480335 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481361 · 1995-03-06 (March 6, 1995)
ALTERNATOR REPLACED THREE TIMES, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481361 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481515 · 1995-03-07 (March 7, 1995)
TRANSMISSION FAILED, RESULTING IN NOISE WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR PRIOR TO RECALL (93V-167). *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481515 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
89V100000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1989-06-19 (June 19, 1989)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗91V225000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
Reported: 1991-12-31 (December 31, 1991)
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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗93V167000 · Power Train:Manual Transmission
Reported: 1993-10-04 (October 4, 1993)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗94V103000 · Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core
Reported: 1994-06-06 (June 6, 1994)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗