MYRModel Year Report

1986 Hyundai Excel

○ Not enough data
1986 Hyundai Excel
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:41:46.087Z

Only 13 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 13 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
13

Too few to rank

Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1986

Investigations
10

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1986: 13 complaints 1986 13 1987: 13 complaints 1988: 50 complaints 1988 1989: 88 complaints 1990: 39 complaints 1990 1991: 38 complaints 1992: 34 complaints 1992 1993: 20 complaints 1994: 36 complaints 1994 1995: 5 complaints 1996: 3 complaints 1996 1997: 2 complaints 1998: 2 complaints 1998 2001: 7 complaints
1986: 13 complaints 1986 13 1987: 13 complaints 1987 1988: 50 complaints 1988 1989: 88 complaints 1989 1990: 39 complaints 1990 1991: 38 complaints 1991 1992: 34 complaints 1992 1993: 20 complaints 1993 1994: 36 complaints 1994 1995: 5 complaints 1995 1996: 3 complaints 1996 1997: 2 complaints 1997 1998: 2 complaints 1998 2001: 7 complaints 2001
1986: 13 complaints 1986 13 1987: 13 complaints 1987 1988: 50 complaints 1988 1989: 88 complaints 1989 1990: 39 complaints 1990 1991: 38 complaints 1991 1992: 34 complaints 1992 1993: 20 complaints 1993 1994: 36 complaints 1994 1995: 5 complaints 1995 1996: 3 complaints 1996 1997: 2 complaints 1997 1998: 2 complaints 1998 2001: 7 complaints 2001

1986: 13 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
198613
198713
198850
198988
199039
199138
199234
199320
199436
19955
19963
19972
19982
20017

Known problem areas

Only 13 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Electrical system

5 of 13 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing switch and ignition.

Power train

4 of 13 total reports mention: power train, most commonly citing manual transmission.

Engine and engine cooling

2 of 13 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing gasoline and radiator assembly.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Engine caught fire upon impact.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-01-22

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Visibility

1 of 13 total reports mentions: visibility, most commonly citing heater core.

Tires

1 of 13 total reports mentions: tires.

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 10 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1987-04-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 1987-12-09 Brake loss
  2. R
    1987-11-25Service brakes, hydraulic87V180000 Vehicle may fail to conform to the brake fade and recovery portion of FMVSS 105.

    Remedy: Replace front brake pads with newly designed semi metallic brake pads.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1988-08-08Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-11-17 Steering shaft separation
  4. I
    1989-03-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-05 Heater core failure
  5. R
    1989-07-03Vehicle speed control89V100000 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.

    Remedy: Replace electronic control module.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    1991-01-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-05-03 Engine compartment fires
  7. I
    1991-02-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-06-05 Passenger brake
  8. I
    1991-05-03Engineering analysisClosed 1992-01-07 Engine compartment fires
  9. I
    1991-09-24Engineering analysisClosed 1992-10-13 Transmission lock-up
  10. R
    1992-01-20Engine and engine cooling91V225000 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…

    Remedy: Replace the reed valve subassembly with one whose metal components are fabricated from corrosion resistant stainless steel.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. I
    1992-09-28CClosed 1993-10-29 Transmission malfunction
  12. R
    1993-11-27Power train93V167000 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.

    Remedy: Hyundai will perform a cost free transmission oil change.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. I
    1994-01-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-06-10 Heater core failure
  14. I
    1994-05-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-10-31 Charging system failures
  15. R
    Date not on fileService brakes, hydraulic86V043000 A cotter pin in the brake pedal to brake master cylinder linkage assembly may be missing. This pin acts as a retainer for the brake master cylinder pushrod clevis pin.

    Remedy: Inspect and install brake linkage cotter pin as necessary.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1986 Hyundai Excel — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 5 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 4 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 2 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 86V043000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 87V180000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 89V100000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 91V225000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 93V167000 · Power train
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 1986 Hyundai Excel reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1986 Hyundai Excel?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1986 Hyundai Excel have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.