1987 Hyundai Excel problems

Common 1987 Hyundai Excel problems

The 1987 Hyundai Excel, while being an affordable option for consumers, had several common problems that affected its reputation and reliability. These issues were primarily related to the car's engine, carburetor, electrical system, and cooling fan system.

• Carburetor (Minuki nightmare): The carburetor used in the 1987 Hyundai Excel, known as the "Minuki nightmare," was a significant problem for many owners. It featured an unusual thermo-wax choke setup that was not adjustable or repairable. When these carburetors failed, the repair cost was high, often around $500 for a rebuilt unit. This led to many owners wiring the choke open to continue using the car, albeit with limited functionality.

• Mitsubishi Engine Valve Guides: The Mitsubishi engine used in the Hyundai Excel suffered from valve guides that frequently failed, causing the engine to burn oil. This issue was common in many Mitsubishi engines of the era. As a result, many Excel owners had to deal with engines that burned oil quickly, often leading to engine failure before reaching 100,000 miles. Additionally, many owners did not check their oil levels regularly, exacerbating the problem and causing premature engine failure.

• Electrical System: The electrical system in the 1987 Hyundai Excel was not particularly reliable. Many owners reported issues with the engine cooling fan system, which often failed. This, combined with a lack of understanding of the car's temperature gauge, led to many engines overheating and ultimately failing. Additionally, the "used engines imported from Japan" market often had long waiting lists for Excel engines, making repairs expensive and time-consuming.

• Engine Cooling Fan System: The engine cooling fan system was another common problem area in the 1987 Hyundai Excel. Many owners reported that the cooling fan system would often fail, leading to overheating and engine damage. This issue, combined with a lack of understanding of the car's temperature gauge, resulted in many engines meeting their demise due to overheating.

• Engine Replacement Costs: Some owners of the 1987 Hyundai Excel faced significant engine replacement costs. In some cases, Hyundai tried to charge owners for engine replacements, citing failure to regularly change the oil as the cause. This led to frustration and mistrust among many Excel owners, further damaging the car's reputation.

In summary, the 1987 Hyundai Excel had several common problems that affected its reliability and reputation. These issues were primarily related to the car's engine, carburetor, electrical system, and cooling fan system. Despite these challenges, many Excel owners reported positive experiences with the car, citing its affordability, fuel efficiency, and overall value for the price.

How reliable was the Hyundai Excel?

Problem cars could be identified by a creaking noise in the body as the car went over bumps. Hyundai checked all cars and riveted the rails to the floor pan to fix the problem. While the recall cast a shadow over the Excel's reputation for a while, mechanics report that it is generally a robust and reliable car.

What happened to the Hyundai Excel?

The Hyundai scoop was a two-door only sporty variant of the Excel. We started getting them for the 1991. Model year the name using the s for sport along with coop Scoops started at 8 500.

Why do Hyundai have a bad reputation?

Many Hyundai models from 2011 to 2016 experienced engine stalling and failure due to problems with the crankshaft position sensor. Another common problem is metal debris in the engine's oil passages. In either scenario, the engine fails to operate, leaving drivers and their passengers stranded.

What engine is in a Hyundai Excel?

Since it was built as a hatchback, the carmaker installed a split-folding rear bench. Under the hood, Hyundai installed two engine choices: a 1.3-liter and a 1.5-liter unit. Mitsubishi supplied both versions.

1987 Hyundai Excel car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Hyundai Excel problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

• Engine and engine cooling problems
• Power train problems
• Electrical system problems
• Steering problems
• Visibility problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1987 Hyundai Excel vehicle components and the number of complaints received.