MYRModel Year Report

1988 Hyundai Excel

◆ Worse than typical
1988 Hyundai Excel
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:42:43.135Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
50
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1988

Investigations
12

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

44% of complaints

Complaints per year

1986: 13 complaints 1986 1987: 13 complaints 1988: 50 complaints 1988 50 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 1987: 13 complaints 1987 1988: 50 complaints 1988 50 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 1987: 13 complaints 1987 1988: 50 complaints 1988 50 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

1988: 50 complaints

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

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

44% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and exhaust system.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Engine fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-05-04

Engine compartment fire, overheated vehicle caught fire. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-21

Reed valve sub assembly failed, resulting in a fire/injury prior to recall (91V-225).

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-12-17

Power train

20% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing manual transmission and lubricant.

Seat belts

18% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing front and retractor.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Shoulder belt mounted on door, causing shoulder belt to stretch out when door flew open during accident, leaving driver unrestrained, resulting in injury.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-02

Electrical system

16% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and 12v/24v/48v battery.

Visibility

8% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing defroster/defogger/hvac system and glass, side/rear.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 12 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1988Complaint volume 50 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. 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 →

  3. I
    1989-10-25Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-04-02 Front suspension vibration
  4. I
    1990-04-02Engineering analysisClosed 1991-04-30 Frnt suspension vibrates
  5. I
    1991-01-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-05-03 Engine compartment fires
  6. I
    1991-02-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-06-05 Passenger brake
  7. I
    1991-05-03Engineering analysisClosed 1992-01-07 Engine compartment fires
  8. I
    1991-06-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-09-24 Transmission lockup
  9. I
    1991-07-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-11-19 Auto shoulder belt fails
  10. I
    1991-09-24Engineering analysisClosed 1992-10-13 Transmission lock-up
  11. I
    1991-11-19Engineering analysisClosed 1992-10-26 Auto shoulder belt failure
  12. 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 →

  13. I
    1992-09-28CClosed 1993-10-29 Transmission malfunction
  14. 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 →

  15. I
    1994-01-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-06-10 Heater core failure
  16. I
    1994-05-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-10-31 Charging system failures
  17. R
    1994-09-20Visibility94V103000 The heater control valve stem does not meet the material specifications. High coolant temperatures can cause the stem to leak.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace defective valve stems.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1988 Hyundai Excel — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 22 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 10 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 9 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 89V100000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 91V225000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 93V167000 · Power train
  • Recall 94V103000 · Visibility
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Worst years1 year

FAQ

Is the 1988 Hyundai Excel reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1988 Hyundai Excel is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1988 Hyundai Excel?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1988 Hyundai Excel have?
4 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.