1988 Hyundai Excel problems
The Hyundai Excel (Korean: 현대 엑셀), also known as the Hyundai Pony, Hyundai Pony Excel, Hyundai Presto, Mitsubishi Precis, Hyundai X2 and Hyundai XL, is an automobile which was produced by Hyundai Motor Company from 1985 to 1999. It was the first front-wheel drive car produced by the South Korean manufacturer. The Excel range replaced the rear-wheel-drive Hyundai Pony.
Background
The Excel was based on the second generation of the Mitsubishi Mirage, but it received its own sheet metal design by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The Excel was available in three- or five-door hatchback and four-door sedan models. The Excel was the first Hyundai car to be exported to the United States.
The Excel was available with either a manual or automatic transmission mated to a four-cylinder engine aspirated by a carburetor or fuel injection system, depending on market and model year.
Originally, the Excel was supposed to be replaced by the Elantra in 1990, but it ended up being sold for four more years until being replaced by the Hyundai Accent in the model year 1995. From 1990, there was a coupé variant called the Hyundai Scoupe, which was replaced by the Hyundai Coupé in 1996.
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Common 1988 Hyundai Excel problems
The Hyundai Excel, also known as the Hyundai Pony, Hyundai Pony Excel, Hyundai Presto, Mitsubishi Precis, and Hyundai X2 in various markets, is a compact car produced by Hyundai from 1985 to 2000. Despite its popularity and success in the market, the 1988 Hyundai Excel has been associated with several common problems based on complaints from its owners.
- Gear Lever Problems:
The gear lever in the Hyundai Excel might experience problems due to wear and tear, which could lead to difficulties in shifting gears smoothly. This issue could be caused by worn-out synchronizers, bushings, or linkages, and may require replacement of the affected parts to resolve the problem.
- Check Engine Light:
The check engine light in the Hyundai Excel can be triggered by various issues, including problems with the engine management computer or other sensors. If the check engine light comes on, it is recommended to have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic with diagnostic equipment to identify and address the underlying issue.
- Steering and Suspension Issues:
Some Hyundai Excel owners have reported issues with the car's steering and suspension, such as shaking or loss of traction while driving.
- Air Conditioning System:
The air conditioning system in the Hyundai Excel has been reported to cause problems, particularly in models with automatic transmissions. Some owners have experienced issues with the car dying at stoplights when the air conditioning is on. This problem could be due to electrical or mechanical issues within the air conditioning system or the transmission.
- Towing Capacity:
The Hyundai Excel has a maximum towing capacity of 700 kilograms, which can vary depending on the engine, transmission, model, and options chosen. It is essential to consult the manufacturer or the vehicle's handbook before attempting to tow anything to ensure the towing capacity is not exceeded.
In conclusion, while the Hyundai Excel has been a popular and successful compact car, it has been associated with several common problems based on complaints from its owners. These issues range from brake and gear lever problems to check engine lights, steering and suspension issues, air conditioning system problems, and towing capacity limitations. It is crucial for Hyundai Excel owners to maintain their vehicles regularly and address any issues promptly to ensure their safety and the longevity of their vehicles.
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.
What is the fuel economy of a Hyundai Excel?
6 to 6.6L/100km
The Hyundai Excel currently offers fuel consumption from 6 to 6.6L/100km. The Hyundai Excel is available with the following fuel type: ULP.
What is the average of Hyundai Excel?
10 - 12 KM/L
Hyundai Excel Specifications
| Price | PKR 2.9 lacs |
|---|---|
| Mileage | 10 - 12 KM/L |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 42 L |
| Seating Capacity | 5 Persons |
| Top Speed | 200 KM/H |
1988 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
- Seat belts problems
- Electrical system problems
- Visibility problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Hyundai Excel vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1988 Hyundai Excel
The NHTSA has received 71 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1988 Hyundai Excel. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1988 Hyundai Excel vehicles.
STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-01-30
- VIN: KMH6F32J8JU
- Components: STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE
- Summary: PROBLEMS WITH BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT, RACK AND PINION LEAKAGE, BENT CROSSMEMBER IN THE SUBFRAME, ETC. (NAR) *PH *CB THE CONSUMER SENT ANOTHER COMPLAINT REFERENCING 10040082,10022196,10011711, & 10003824 ALL OF WHICH WENT UN-ANSWERED. *TC
STEERING,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: KMHLF32J4JU
- Components: STEERING,STRUCTURE
- Summary: RACK AND PINION IS LEAKING, BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT AND UPPER TIE BAR IS BENT.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS POORLY WELDED ON ONE SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME *TS THE CROSS MEMEBER WAS BENT. *JB
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-07-01
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: DRIVING OUT OF DRIVEWAY HEARD A NOISE LIKE THE TIRE WAS FLAT OR SOMETHING DRAGGING BENEATH MY VEHICLE. EXITED FOUND NOTHING. DROVE TO NEXT STOP SIGN, NOISE CONTINUED. EXITED A SECOND TIME AND OBSERVED TRED FROM TIRE EXTENDING ABOUT SIX INCHES TO THE REAR OF TIRE. TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED BUT THE TRED TRAILED BEHIND THE TIRE. DROVE IN REVERSE TO ALLOW TRED TO WRAP AROUND TIRE AND PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. CHANGED TIRE TWO DAYS LATER. COUPLE WEEKS PASSED. NOTIFIED FIRESTONE BY CALLING THEIR EIGHT HUNDRED NUMBER TODAY 8-22-2000 AND WAS TOLD ONLY THE TIRES SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL WOULD BE EXCHANGED FOR FREE. I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW TIRE. I EXPRESSED TO THEM THAT MY SERIES TIRE HAD TRED SEPERATION AS THE OTHER RECALLED TIRES HAVE HAD OCCUR. THEY DID NOT TAKE MY NAME, NUMBER OR EVEN TELL ME WHERE TO TAKE IT FOR INSPECTION. I WAS TOLD TO GO TO NEAREST DEALER AND BUY ANOTHER ONE, MINE WAS NOT COVERED. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS INVESTIGATED SINCE I AM A POLICE OFFICER BY PROFESSION, NOT TO MENTION I OR A FAMILY MEMBER MAY HAVE BEEN KILLED IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT A FASTER RATE OF SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY RATHER THAN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. I STILL HAVE THE TIRE IF PICTURES ARE NEEDED OR IF AN INSPECTOR NEEDS TO RESPOND TO VIEW THE TIRE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THERE MAY BE OTHER SERIES OF FAULTY FIRESTONE BRAND TIRES OUT THERE JEOPARDISING MORE INNOCENT LIVES. PLEASE ADVISE ME ON THE NEXT STEP I NEED TO TAKE TO RESOLVE THE MATTER. FIRESTONE SEEMED UNCOOPERATIVE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. SINCERELY, STEVEN W. GORDON.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: I75/70R138 )
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-04-16
- Fire: 1
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-12-30
- VIN: KMHLF22J2JU
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE BROKE CAUSING CAR TO LOOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-12-30
- VIN: KMHLF22J2JU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE HEAD FAILED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-12-30
- VIN: KMHLF22J2JU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: RADIATOR FAILED.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: KMHLF32T4J0
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: VEHICLE SOLD WITHOUT PRIOR HISTORY INFORMATION STATING VEHICLE WAS SALVAGED.
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: KMHLA11J6JU
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: WINDOW CRANKS FALL OFF.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-10-25
- VIN: KMHLA11J6JU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: VALVE TRAIN CAME LOOSE CAUSING ENGINE TO FAIL.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-10-25
- VIN: KMHLA11J6JU
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: RECALL ON TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF GRINDING, REPLACED TRANSMISSION OIL.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: KMHLF11J6JU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: PRE-CAT AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD REPLACED DUE TO COMPONENTS OVERHEATING, CAUSING CRACKING AND DISINTEGRATING.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: KMHLF32J0JU
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH LAP BELTS.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: VEHICLE, UNPREDICTABLY, LACKS POWER WHEN ACCELERATION FROM IDLE OR NEAR IDLE.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: VEHICLE VIBRATES SEVERLY WITH LOUD SHAKING AND A RATTLING NOISE.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: KMHL732J4JU
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: VEHICLE WILL NOT HOLD PROPER ALIGNMENT, RESULTING IN TIRE WEAR.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: KMHL732J4JU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: STARTER FAILED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-08-18
- Fire: 1
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-06-27
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: KMHLF31J4JU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE OVERHEATED, CAUSING OVERFLOW CONTAINER TO ERUPT IN DRIVER'S FACE, RESULTING IN FACIAL BURNS.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1988-08-01
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED AT OXYGEN SENSOR, CAUSING EXHAUST SYSTEM TO BACK UP/FAIL, AS WELL AS THE ENGINE/HEADS/HEAD GASKET TO FAIL. *DH
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-05-15
- Fire: 1
- VIN: KMHLF21J0JU
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO REED VALVE SUB ASSEMBLY FAILURE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-10-20
- VIN: KMKHLA11J3J
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: MONTES AUTO CTR 91V225. ITS BEEN 1 1/2 YEAR AND THE DLR AND ZONE OFFICE CAN NOT MAKE A DECISION ON REPAIRS. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-04-30
- Fire: 1
- VIN: KMHLFZ1J7JU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE COUGHT FIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-04-30
- Fire: 1
- VIN: KMHLFZ1J7JU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE COUGHT FIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-04-02
- VIN: KMHLD21J7JU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: EMISSION SYSTEM REED VALVE SUBASSEMBLY FAILED. *DSH
1988 Hyundai Excel recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 1988 Hyundai Excel.
- Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
- Components: VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
- Summary: THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE STEM DOES NOT MEET THE MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS. HIGH COOLANT TEMPERATURES CAN CAUSE THE STEM TO LEAK.
- Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A BURN INJURY TO THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER'S FEET AND LEGS.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE DEFECTIVE VALVE STEMS.
- Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
- Components: POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
- Summary: THE MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY LOCK UP FROM INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION OF THE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION CASE. THIS CAN CAUSE THE DRIVE WHEELS TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP.
- Consequence: SUDDEN STOPS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CAN CAUSE VEHICLEOCCUPANTS TO BE THROWN AROUND IN THE CAR, AND CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROLWHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: HYUNDAI WILL PERFORM A COST FREE TRANSMISSION OIL CHANGE.
- Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
- Summary: DETERIORATION OF THE REED VALVE SUBASSEMBLY MAY LEAD TO A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SECONDARY AIR SUPPLY PORTION OF THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM. THE SCREWS WHICH ATTACH THE REEDS TO THE REED VALVE SUBASSEMBLY MAY RUST, AND IF THE RUSTING BECOMES SEVERE, THE SCREW HEADS WILL ERODE AND ALLOW THE REEDS TO SEPARATE FROM THE REED VALVE SUBASSEMBLY. CORROSION MAY ALSO OCCUR ON THE REED VALVE SUBASSEMBLY, DEFORMING THE REED SEATS AND PREVENTING THE REEDS FROM CLOSING PROPERLY. SEPARATION OF THE REEDS FROM THE REED VALVE SUBASSEMBLY OR IMPROPER CLOSING OF THE REEDS ALLOW HOT EXHAUST GASES TO FLOW BACKWARD INTO THE PLASTIC SECONDARY AIR FILTER CASE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. THESE HOT EXHAUST GASES MAY MELT THE SECONDARY PLASTIC AIR FILTER CASE.
- Consequence: THE MELTING PLASTIC AIR FILTER CASE MAY LEAD TO A FIREIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
- Remedy: REPLACE THE REED VALVE SUBASSEMBLY WITH ONE WHOSE METAL COMPONENTS ARE FABRICATED FROM CORROSION RESISTANT STAINLESS STEEL.
- Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: IF CRUISE CONTROL MAIN SWITCH IS IN THE ON POSITION WHEN ENGINE IS STARTED, SYSTEM CAN BE AFFECTED BY A SHORT DURATION VOLTAGE DROP CAUSED BY OPTIONAL HI-POWER (H340) RADIO.
- Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE ERRATIC CRUISE CONTROL OPERATION, WHICHCOULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: REPLACE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.
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