1988 HYUNDAI EXCEL — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

64

Owner Complaints

4 Crashes 8 Fires

4

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

1

Service Bulletin

3

Investigations

Overview of the 1988 HYUNDAI EXCEL

The 1988 HYUNDAI EXCEL has received a total of 64 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE, POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by Hyundai Motor America for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (10 complaints), Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator (4 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System (4 complaints).

Recalls for the 1988 HYUNDAI EXCEL

NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 1988 HYUNDAI EXCEL, potentially affecting up to 1,688,550 vehicles.

Recall 94V103000 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

| 270,000 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

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Recall 93V167000 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

| 515,000 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

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Recall 91V225000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

| 895,000 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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.

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Recall 89V100000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

| 8,550 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

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Owner Complaints for the 1988 HYUNDAI EXCEL

64 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1988 HYUNDAI EXCEL. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 10 6 Fires
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
Complaints: 4
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
Complaints: 4 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 3
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 3
Seat Belts
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 3 Injuries
Seat Beltsfront
Complaints: 3
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 1 Injury
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 2
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
Complaints: 2
Steeringrack And Pinion
Complaints: 2
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 2 2 Crashes
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemstarter Assembly
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcrankcase Pcv
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingtail Lights
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncooling Unit And Lines
Complaints: 1
Power Traindrivelineconstant Velocity Joint
Complaints: 1
Power Trainmanual Transmissionlubricant
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Seat Beltsfrontwebbing
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Structure
Complaints: 1
Structureframe And Members
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
Complaints: 1
Suspension
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 1
Suspensionrearshock Absorber
Complaints: 1
Tires
Complaints: 1
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 1
Visibilityglass Siderear
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#10064949 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | | 119,037 miles
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
#10064949 | STEERING:RACK AND PINION | | 119,037 miles
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
#10064949 | STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS | | 119,037 miles
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
#10040620 | STEERING:RACK AND PINION | | 119,037 miles
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
#10040620 | STRUCTURE | | 119,037 miles
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

View all Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline complaints →

Safety Rating for the 1988 HYUNDAI EXCEL

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1988 HYUNDAI EXCEL in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1988 HYUNDAI EXCEL

Hyundai Motor America has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 1988 HYUNDAI EXCEL. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

9501002 — 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 Investigations for the 1988 HYUNDAI EXCEL

NHTSA has opened 3 investigations into potential safety defects in the 1988 HYUNDAI EXCEL.

Investigation PE91097 — SEAT BELTS Closed

Opened:

AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILS

Investigation PE91083 — POWER TRAIN Closed

Opened:

TRANSMISSION LOCKUP

Investigation EA90021 — SUSPENSION Closed

Opened:

FRNT SUSPENSION VIBRATES

Other Model Years of the HYUNDAI EXCEL

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Other HYUNDAI Models

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