MYRModel Year Report

1988 Hyundai Excel

◆ Worse than typical
1988 Hyundai Excel
RENDERED 2026-09-17T04:42:07.550Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Hyundai Excel Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1988 highlighted. 1986: 13 complaints 1986 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 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%

44% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 22 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and exhaust system.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

ENGINE FIRE. *AW

NHTSA ODI report, 19950504

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, OVERHEATED VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950321

REED VALVE SUB ASSEMBLY FAILED, RESULTING IN A FIRE/INJURY PRIOR TO RECALL (91V-225). *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19941217

POWER TRAIN 20%

20% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manual transmission and lubricant.

SEAT BELTS 18%

18% of complaints: seat belts — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and retractor.

CRASH INJURY
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. *SKD

NHTSA ODI report, 19950302

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%

16% of complaints: electrical system — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and 12v/24v/48v battery.

VISIBILITY 8%

8% of complaints: visibility — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing defroster/defogger/hvac system and glass, side/rear.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1988 — complaint volume: 50
R 19890703 — vehicle speed control

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.

Campaign 89V100000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19891025 — PE (closed 19900402)

FRONT SUSPENSION VIBRATION

I 19900402 — EA (closed 19910430)

FRNT SUSPENSION VIBRATES

I 19910104 — PE (closed 19910503)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 19910226 — PE (closed 19910605)

PASSENGER BRAKE

I 19910503 — EA (closed 19920107)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 19910610 — PE (closed 19910924)

TRANSMISSION LOCKUP

I 19910710 — PE (closed 19911119)

AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILS

I 19910924 — EA (closed 19921013)

TRANSMISSION LOCK-UP

I 19911119 — EA (closed 19921026)

AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE

R 19920120 — engine and engine cooling

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 SUBASS

Remedy: REPLACE THE REED VALVE SUBASSEMBLY WITH ONE WHOSE METAL COMPONENTS ARE FABRICATED FROM CORROSION RESISTANT STAINLESS STEEL.

Campaign 91V225000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19920928 — C (closed 19931029)

TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION

R 19931127 — power train

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.

Campaign 93V167000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19940114 — PE (closed 19940610)

HEATER CORE FAILURE

I 19940527 — PE (closed 19941031)

CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURES

R 19940920 — visibility

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.

Campaign 94V103000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 Hyundai Excel — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (22 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (10 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 89V100000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 91V225000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 93V167000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 94V103000 (visibility) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

● 1992 ● 1994 ● 1991

WORST YEARS

■ 1989 ● 1990 ● 1991

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.