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1992 Hyundai Excel

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 3 of 34 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

34 reports
99,999 miles · Jan 27, 2009
Suspension

DEFECTIVE LOWER CONTROL ARM..1992 HYUNDAI EXCEL..CORRODES AND RUSTS, ESPECIALLY ON PASSENGER SIDE LEADING TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256498

50,000 miles · Feb 1, 2007
Electrical SystemInjury

THERE IS A HUGE SAFETY DEFECT IN THE OLDER HYUNDAI AUTOMOBILE COMPUTERS OR ECU BOXES. THE INTERNAL CAPACITORS (RUBYCON AND NICYCON) FAIL CAUSING ACID TO LEAK OUT ON THE COMPUTER BOARD, LEADING TO COMPLETE COMPUTER FAILURE. THE CAR STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING UNEXPECTEDLY WITH NO WARNING, LEADING TO A SERIOUS ROAD HAZARD FOR ALL OCC…

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THERE IS A HUGE SAFETY DEFECT IN THE OLDER HYUNDAI AUTOMOBILE COMPUTERS OR ECU BOXES. THE INTERNAL CAPACITORS (RUBYCON AND NICYCON) FAIL CAUSING ACID TO LEAK OUT ON THE COMPUTER BOARD, LEADING TO COMPLETE COMPUTER FAILURE. THE CAR STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING UNEXPECTEDLY WITH NO WARNING, LEADING TO A SERIOUS ROAD HAZARD FOR ALL OCCUPANTS OF THIS VEHICLE . THE CAR WILL ALSO IDLE ERRATICALLY, YIELDING NUMEROUS COMPUTER , AND NO START AND STALLING SITUATIONS THAT ARE UNPREDICTABILITY HAVE REPLACED 4 COMPUTERS (ECU'S) IN MY 1992 HYUNDAI EXCEL . THERE ARE SEVERAL INTERNET ARTICLES AND AUTO COMPUTER REBUILD SITES DOCUMENTING THESE DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS IN THE HYUNDAI COMPUTER. I ALSO SENT CLOSE-UP PHOTOS OF THE ECU COMPONENT DEFECTS, AS WELL AS A LETTER FROM THE HYUNDAI SERVICE MANAGER TO HYUNDAI MOTORS, BUT THEY ARE UNCOOPERATIVE. I HAVE TRIED MANY TIMES TO CONTACT HYUNDAI MOTORS AND THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY REPLACEMENT OR REBUILD ON THIS DEFECTIVE PART. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFINITE , SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS, ROAD HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL IN ALL THESE 1992 HYUNDAI EXCEL AUTOMOBILES. PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE AT STAKE DRIVING WITH THESE DEFECTIVE COMPUTERS IN THEIR CARS. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP~MANY THANKS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10181381

25,000 miles · Sep 21, 2005
Wheels

DT: THE TIRES WERE LEAKING AIR. THE CONSUMER THOUGHT IT WAS THE TIRE, BUT FOUND OUT IT WAS THE RIM. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONCE EIGHT YEARS AGO, AND ONCE A YEAR AGO, AND ONCE SIX MONTHS AGO. EACH TIME THE CONSUMER HAD THE RIM REPLACED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE DEALER SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. …

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DT: THE TIRES WERE LEAKING AIR. THE CONSUMER THOUGHT IT WAS THE TIRE, BUT FOUND OUT IT WAS THE RIM. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONCE EIGHT YEARS AGO, AND ONCE A YEAR AGO, AND ONCE SIX MONTHS AGO. EACH TIME THE CONSUMER HAD THE RIM REPLACED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE DEALER SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AFTER THE LAST TIME, AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE FORTH ONE FAILING. *AK (11/16/05) THE TIRES WERE HEAVILY UNDER INFLATED. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10137169

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2001
Latches/locks/linkages

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH FRONT HOOD FLIPPED UP, BLOCKING VISION. KEPT CONTROL OF VEHICLE, DRIVING OFF ROAD. PUSHED DOWN HOOD AND TIED IT WITH A ROPE THEN, LATCH HAD TO BE FIXED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #881014

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2000
Seat BeltsInjury

VEHICLE WAS HIT BY A VEHICLE IN WHICH THE SHOULDER BELT BELT DID NOT LOCK, THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER'S CHEST TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, THE LAP BELT DID NOT FAIL IN THE ACCIDENT. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #557595

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2000
Power Train

WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE REPAIR SHOP OVER A DOZEN TIMES AND I HAVE THE PAPERS TO PROVE IT THE REPAIR SHOP HAD MY CAR MORE THEN I DID AND I REPLACED JUST ABOUT EVERY THING ON THE CAR BUT I WENT THROUGH 3 TRANSMISSION AND NOW I NEED ANOTHER BEFOR I HAD AN EXSTENDED WARRANTY AND I JUST HAD TO PAY $50.00 …

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WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE REPAIR SHOP OVER A DOZEN TIMES AND I HAVE THE PAPERS TO PROVE IT THE REPAIR SHOP HAD MY CAR MORE THEN I DID AND I REPLACED JUST ABOUT EVERY THING ON THE CAR BUT I WENT THROUGH 3 TRANSMISSION AND NOW I NEED ANOTHER BEFOR I HAD AN EXSTENDED WARRANTY AND I JUST HAD TO PAY $50.00 NOW THAT MY WARRANTY IS GONE NONE OF THE TRANSMISSION SHOPS WANTED TO FIX IT THEY SAY THAT IT IS TO MUCH TROUBLE AND THE MAKE OF THAT TRANSMISSION FOR THAT YEAR HAS PROBLEMS AND THAT IF I WOULD FIX IT IT WOULD JUST DO IT AGAIN. I REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES ALREADY AND NOW THE CAR NEEDS ANOTHER TRANSMISSION IT WAS JUST REPLACED IN 1998 WHAT CAN I DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU LARAY RANSOM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #731495

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS LIGHT ILLUMNATED ON THE DASHBOARD. ALSO, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A NORMAL STOP THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #851423

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 1999
Power Train

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ODI #705527

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 1999
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

MY FIRST HEADACHE WITH THIS VEHICLE OCCURED WHEN THE GAS PUMP WHEN OUT. I WAS SITTING AT A LIGHT AND I HEARD A LOUD, BUZZING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY CAR. AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I STEPPED ON THE GAS, ONLY TO FEEL A LOSS OF POWER. THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL IT INTO A PARKING LOT AND HAD …

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MY FIRST HEADACHE WITH THIS VEHICLE OCCURED WHEN THE GAS PUMP WHEN OUT. I WAS SITTING AT A LIGHT AND I HEARD A LOUD, BUZZING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY CAR. AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I STEPPED ON THE GAS, ONLY TO FEEL A LOSS OF POWER. THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL IT INTO A PARKING LOT AND HAD IT TOWED TO A MECANHIC. AFTER THE PUMP WAS REPLACED, THE MECANHIC SOUNDED ME WHERE THE GASKET ON THE TOP OF THE PUMP HAD SNAPPED IN HALF. THE INCIDENT WITH THIS CAR HAPPEND THIS PAST SUMMER WHEN THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT. I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND I HAD JUST PASSED A GREEN LIGHT. I TRIED TO SPEED UP, BUT THE CAR HESITATED REALLY BAD, AND JERKED EACH TIME I TRIED TO GO FASTER. I PULLED OFF THE CAR OF THE ROAD TO START UP THE CAR AGAIN, BUT IT FAILED TO TURN OVER. I HAD IT TOWED TO A TRANSMISSON SHOP. IT SAT THERE FOR TWO WEEKS UNTIL I CAME UP WITH THE $1800 NEEDED TO PAY FOR AN ENTIRELY NEW TRANSMISSION SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI #702259

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITHOUT REGISTERING IT ON TEMPERATURE GAUGE INSIDE INSTRUMENT PANEL, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE COMPRESSION/ ANTI-FREEZE/OIL AND STALL. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #833587

Official recalls

1

93V192000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Nov 23, 1993

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE FUEL SPILLAGE CAN RESULTIN A FIRE IF EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy: HYUNDAI HAS DEVELOPED AN APPROPRIATE COUNTERMEASURE THAT WILL COMPLY WITH ALL REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 301.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

PE95060 · Scissor Jack Failure

Opened Dec 9, 1995 · Closed Mar 21, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/screw/bottle Jack/lift

There is no summary currently available

EA92032 · Transmission Malfunction

Opened Oct 13, 1992 · Closed Oct 29, 1993

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

There is no summary currently available