1990 Hyundai Excel: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Hyundai Excel: 2 recalls, 38 owner complaints and up to 28 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Wheels Vehicle recall #90V053000 · 1990 · 2,281 vehicles
What's wrong: Lock washer located under the nut that secures the front hub to the drive shaft May have had improper heat treatment and could crack.
Why it matters: This could cause wheel bearing freeplay and could result in bearing damage, and possible loss of vehicle control through wheel failure.
The fix: Replace lock washer on each front wheel and repair area around lock washer as necessary.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #93V192000 · 1993 · 257,001 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: In the event of an accident, the fuel spillage can resultin a fire if exposed to a source of ignition.
The fix: Hyundai has developed an appropriate countermeasure that will comply with all requirements of fmvss 301.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 7 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (8): the most common themes are electrical failure (3), fire / smoke (2), door / lock issues (2).
- Engine & cooling (8): the most common themes are fire / smoke (2), stalls / loses power (2).
- Transmission & drivetrain (6): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Fuel system (5): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
The 1990 Hyundai Excel has 38 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 10 Excel model years for complaints (2.1× the average Excel year). Complaints peaked in 1995 (19 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old. Neighboring years: 1991 (38 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 | Regular |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 30 | 27 | Regular |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 29 | 26 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Hyundai Excel.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 1990 Hyundai Excel have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1990 Hyundai Excel. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Hyundai Excel problems?
Owners have filed 38 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (8), engine & cooling (8), transmission & drivetrain (6).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Hyundai Excel get?
EPA ratings run up to 28 mpg combined (1.5 L, Manual 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Hyundai Excel repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.