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: 1 of 20 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 8 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 →
Electrical System. Review the 3 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 reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
20 reports
101,000 miles · Aug 25, 2008
Electrical SystemFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 HYUNDAI EXCEL. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, AFTER ONLY TRAVELING ONE MILE, THE ENGINE STALLED AND SMOKE AND FLAMES APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TO HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE INSURANCE RE…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 HYUNDAI EXCEL. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, AFTER ONLY TRAVELING ONE MILE, THE ENGINE STALLED AND SMOKE AND FLAMES APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TO HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A FAILED ECU; HOWEVER, THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO COVER ALL THE DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND REMAINS AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 101,000.
NHTSA ODI #10239676
Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
ALL FOUR MOTOR MOUNTS WERE FOUND TO HAVE DEFECTS AT THE SAME TIME. *AK
NHTSA ODI #740459
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2000
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
WHEN DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC OR WHEN STOPPING AT A LIGHT AND UPON DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL, TRANSMISSION SKIPPED GEAR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AT A FAST SPEED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER .*AK
NHTSA ODI #865966
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1999
Power Train
AS REPORTED TRANSMISSION LOCKED 1+2 AT 15K-20K. TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE 60K
NHTSA ODI #711900
Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 1998
Power Train
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #832149
Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling
PISTON RING CRACKED, CAUSING LOSS OF COMPRESSION.
NHTSA ODI #526850
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 1996
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATES HER ENGINE STALLS OUT WHEN IT GETS HOT SOMETIMES CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #804184
Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 1996
Power TrainSuspensionVisibility
MISALIGNMENT, CAUSIN GPREMATURE WEA ROF THE TIRES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #506770
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 1996
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHT AND HEADLIGHT DIMMER SWITCH ON SAME LEVER, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO ACCIDENTALLY BE TURNED OFF WHEN DIMMING LIGHTS.
NHTSA ODI #506847
Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 1996
Wheels
FOUR WHEELS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. BECAUSE THEY HAVE CRACKED WHERE THE JOINTS ARE WELTED TOGETHER. CAUSING THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. *AK
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
1
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
1993 Hyundai Excel Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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