1989 Hyundai EXCEL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
61 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 61 complaints (18.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 6.6% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 4.9% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 3.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 9 |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Windshield:Electrical Heating Element | 5 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 4 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 4 |
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 9; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Windshield:Electrical Heating Element: 5; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 4; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 4
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 | 0 |
| 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: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 61 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 | 42 |
| 1996 | 16 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
1995: 42; 1996: 16; 2000: 2; 2001: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 478083 · 1995-01-10 (January 10, 1995)
ENGINE VALVE FAILED, CAUSING OIL TO SPILL OUT ONTO CARBURATOR AND ENGINE, RESULTING IN A FIRE. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478083 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 478114 · 1995-01-05 (January 5, 1995)
HEATER CONTROL VALVE STEM ASSEMBLY LEAKED COOLANT DUE TO BEING MANUFACTURED WITH INCORRECT GRADE OF MATERIAL PRIOR TO RECALL (94V-103. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478114 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480021 · 1995-01-26 (January 26, 1995)
VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY RUNS HOT. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480021 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480047 · 1995-02-03 (February 3, 1995)
BRAKES FAILED. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480047 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480151 · 1995-02-10 (February 10, 1995)
HEATER CORE LEAKED PRIOR TO RECALL. (94V103) *TW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480151 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480364 · 1995-01-11 (January 11, 1995)
HEATER CONTROL VALVE STEM ASSEMBLY FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT LEAK PRIOR TO MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480364 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480444 · 1995-01-16 (January 16, 1995)
HEATER VALVE STEM ASSEMBLY FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK PRIOR TO MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480444 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480794 · 1995-01-24 (January 24, 1995)
HEATER VALVE STEM LEAKS. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480794 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 ↗