MYRModel Year Report

1990 Hyundai Excel

● Typical for this model
1990 Hyundai Excel
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:35:21.350Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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
39
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1990

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

28% of complaints

Complaints per year

1986: 13 complaints 1986 1987: 13 complaints 1988: 50 complaints 1988 1989: 88 complaints 1990: 39 complaints 1990 39 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 1989: 88 complaints 1989 1990: 39 complaints 1990 39 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 1989: 88 complaints 1989 1990: 39 complaints 1990 39 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

1990: 39 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

28% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and catalytic convertor.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Rocker arm broke and hit engine leaving a hole in engine, causing white smoke to come out of exhaust pipe/loss of oil.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-11-13

Electrical system

21% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing front underhood and module.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The wires in the front half burnt completely out and it locked up the engine, resulting in a fire/accident/injuties.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-06-12

Power train

18% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing clutch assembly and constant velocity joint.

Fuel system, gasoline

13% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing fuel pump.

Visibility

10% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing windshield and glass, side/rear.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

On two separate occasions the back right/ left windows spontaneously exploded, passengers in back seat were showered with glass, resulting in an injury.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-06-27

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1990-03-19Wheels90V053000 Lock washer located under the nut that secures the front hub to the drive shaft may have had improper heat treatment and could crack.

    Remedy: Replace lock washer on each front wheel and repair area around lock washer as necessary.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1991-02-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-06-05 Passenger brake
  3. I
    1991-09-24Engineering analysisClosed 1992-10-13 Transmission lock-up
  4. I
    1992-10-13Engineering analysisClosed 1993-10-29 Transmission malfunction
  5. R
    1994-05-11Fuel system, gasoline93V192000 The vehicles failed the lateral moving barrier impact test requirements of FMVSS 301, "Fuel system integrity." The fuel leakage from the gas tank exceeded the maximum allowable amount of spillage.

    Remedy: Hyundai has developed an appropriate countermeasure that will comply with all requirements of FMVSS 301.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    1994-05-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-10-31 Charging system failures
  7. I
    1995-12-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-03-21 Scissor jack failure

Buy-smart checklist

1990 Hyundai Excel — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 11 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 8 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 7 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 90V053000 · Wheels
  • Recall 93V192000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 1990 Hyundai Excel reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Hyundai Excel is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Hyundai Excel?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1990 Hyundai Excel have?
2 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.