Hyundai Scoupe problems

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The Hyundai Scoupe, also called the Hyundai S-Coupe, is a 2-door coupé based on the contemporaneous Hyundai Excel. The name, a portmanteau of "sporty" and "coupe," was pronounced "scoop".

History

Development of what would become the Scoupe started in 1985. At the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show, Hyundai exhibited a prototype which was named the "Sports-looking Car" (SLC) concept. Regular production began in February 1990; the Scoupe cost ₩521 billion to develop. The drivetrain and underpinnings were largely identical to those of the contemporary Excel/Pony, albeit with marginally shorter gearing to improve acceleration and to give the car a somewhat sportier image. The Scoupe was introduced to the United States market for the 1991 model year at a base price of US$8,495 (equivalent to $19,000 in 2023), thousands less than comparable sporty coupes. The badging used an enlarged, stylized "S" followed by all-caps "COUPE".

The naturally-aspirated, in-house developed Alpha engine series replaced the original Mitsubishi design in April 1991, followed by a turbocharged Alpha in October of that same year. The Base and LS models were equipped with the new 1.5-litre, 12-valve, direct-port fuel-injected engine. In the United States, additional changes came with the 1993 model year (July 1992), when Scoupes got a facelift, including the current Hyundai stylized-"H" logo, new flush headlamps plus body-colored side moldings and redesigned front sheetmetal, taillights, and rear bumper.

The car was replaced by the Tiburon in 1996. When it was discontinued in 1995, the Scoupe was one of the last cars sold in the United States with motorized seat belts instead of airbags. In total, 242,441 Scoupes were produced: 63,998 sold domestically in Korea and 178,443 produced for export.

photo of Hyundai Scoupe car production

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Hyundai Scoupe model years

hyundai scoupe 1995 photo
Scoupe 1995
Hyundai

7

0

9

4.2
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
hyundai scoupe 1994 photo
Scoupe 1994
Hyundai

31

0

7

3.4
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
hyundai scoupe 1993 photo
Scoupe 1993
Hyundai

20

0

5

4.4
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
hyundai scoupe 1992 photo
Scoupe 1992
Hyundai

8

0

3

5
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
hyundai scoupe 1991 photo
Scoupe 1991
Hyundai

25

0

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
hyundai scoupe 1986 photo
Scoupe 1986
Hyundai

1

0

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

Common Hyundai Scoupe problems

Common problems reported by Hyundai Scoupe owners include:

  • Engine Issues - Rattling or Oil Leaks:
    • Some Hyundai Scoupe owners have experienced engine-related problems such as rattling noises or oil leaks.
      • Rattling noises could indicate internal engine issues that may require inspection by a mechanic to diagnose and repair.
      • Oil leaks can lead to engine damage if not addressed promptly, necessitating a thorough inspection to identify the source of the leak and appropriate repairs.
  • Slow Acceleration:
    • Complaints have been made about slow acceleration in certain Hyundai Scoupe models.
      • Slow acceleration can be caused by various factors such as fuel system issues, engine problems, or transmission malfunctions.
      • Diagnosing the root cause of slow acceleration is crucial to ensure optimal performance and safety of the vehicle.

These common problems highlight the importance of regular maintenance, timely inspections, and addressing any issues promptly to ensure the longevity and performance of Hyundai Scoupe cars.

Hyundai Scoupe

Is the Hyundai Scoupe reliable?

Hyundai Scoupe Reliability Problems

Scoupe owners have made 4 complaints over 4 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 2nd in overall reliability out of 25 Hyundai models , with plenty of engine concerns.

What is the most common problem of Hyundai?

Engine Performance Problems:

One of the common issues faced by Hyundai owners is related to engine performance. Symptoms may include rough idling, reduced power, poor acceleration, or engine misfires.

What is the life expectancy of a Hyundai engine?

Depending on how much you drive each day, your car's engine could be in perfect working condition for 15 to 20 years.

Which Hyundai has the least problems?

The Most Reliable Hyundai Models Ever Built, Ranked

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Percentage distribution of complaints by Hyundai Scoupe years

We have researched Hyundai problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Hyundai Scoupe cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Hyundai Scoupe model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Hyundai Scoupe model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Hyundai Scoupe years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Hyundai Scoupe car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Hyundai Scoupe , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

  • Power train problems
  • Engine and engine cooling problems
  • Electrical system problems
  • Seat belts problems
  • Service brakes problems

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

Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Scoupe model years

A total of 12 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Scoupe model years

There were a total of 2 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Scoupe model years

There were a total of 13 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

Distribution of the number of complaints with deaths by Scoupe model years

There were a total of 2 complaints that resulted in a death. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

The NHTSA has received 92 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Hyundai Scoupe . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Hyundai Scoupe vehicles.

Latest 25 complaints

Hyundai Scoupe 1995
  • Date Of Incident: 2004-12-02
  • Date Complaint: 2005-01-24
  • VIN: KMHVE22N5SU
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. WHEN YOU ARE AT A STOP LIGHT YOU HAVE TO SIT THERE WAITING TO GO. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES SQUEAL WHEN TAKING OFF. NO RECALLS FOUND, PLEASE PROVIDE INFORMATION FOUND
Hyundai Scoupe 1994
  • Date Of Incident: 2002-07-26
  • Date Complaint: 2004-11-24
  • Number Of Injuries: 2
  • Crash: 1
  • Components: STEERING,SEATS
  • Summary: REAR ENDED WHILE DRIVING. SEAT BACKS FAILED, PASSENGER SEAT CAME OFF TRACKS, AND STEERING WHEEL BENT DUE TO DRIVER HOLDING ONTO IT DURING IMPACT. *NM
Hyundai Scoupe 1991
  • Date Of Incident: 2004-06-01
  • Date Complaint: 2004-06-04
  • VIN: KMHVE22J6MU
  • Components: STEERING,STRUCTURE
  • Summary: CONSUMER WAS SOLD A VEHICLE FROM SALVAGE. *MR (ACCORDING TO B1381 THE SELLER WAS SUPPOSED TO DISCLOSE THIS INFO TO THE CONSUMER) THERE WAS A BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT, BOTH CROSS MEMBERS WERE BENT, VERY POOR WELDING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME, THE COVER SUPPORT WAS BENT, THE RACK AND PINION WAS LEAKING, THE UPPER TIE BAR WAS BENT, AND THE P/S FLUID WAS EXTREMELY LOW. *SC *JB
Hyundai Scoupe 1993
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Date Complaint: 2002-06-07
  • VIN: KMHVE22N5PU
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: CAR IS CUTTING OUT AND GETTING HOT, ALSO FAILED EMISSIONS RESULTS ARE (CRUISE) LIMIT/EMISSIONS-HC: 180/236 CO:1.30/9.03 CO+CO2: >6.00/18.33. *TS *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS*762809
Hyundai Scoupe 1993
  • Date Of Incident: 2001-07-17
  • Date Complaint: 2001-07-17
  • VIN: 2HMBF22F3PB
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON A SIDE STREET AND HEARD A CLICK COMING FROM SEATBELT. THEN, A SECOND CLICK, DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT LOCKED UP, AND SEATBELT WAS CHOCKING HER. THERE WAS A MARK ON HER NECK. SAFETY LATCH WAS DISCONNECTED TO FREE HER. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Hyundai Scoupe 1995
  • Date Of Incident: 2000-09-07
  • Date Complaint: 2000-09-26
  • VIN: KMHVE32N9SU
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: CAMSHAFT IN THE CAR SPLIT WHILE I WAS GOING 70 MPH. THIS IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL AND THAT CAUSED ME TO HAVE THE HEAD IN THE CAR RESUFACED AND VALVES WERE BENT, MY BELTS BROKE AND I AM NOW OUT $1400.00. IS THERE SOMETHING THAT COULD BE DONE TO ASSIST ME FINANCIALLY?*AK
Hyundai Scoupe 1991
  • Date Of Incident: 1999-11-03
  • Date Complaint: 2000-08-14
  • VIN: KMHVE22J0MU
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: THIS IS A USED CAR, I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THE FIRST TIME THE COMPUTER FAILED, WAS INDEED THE FIRST TIME. IT INITIALLY FAILED IN NOVEMBER OF 1999. I REPLACED IT WITH A USED COMPUTER WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED IN AUGUST OF 2000. I AM CURRENTLY HAVING IT REPLACED WITH A NEW COMPUTER. *AK
Hyundai Scoupe 1994
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Date Complaint: 2000-08-02
  • VIN: KMHVE32N6RU
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY SLIPS INTO DIFFERENT MODES. AT TIMES IT EITHER IDLES TOO HIGH/TOO LOW OR OPERATES NORMALLY,ALSO,ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN. *AK
Hyundai Scoupe 1994
  • Date Of Incident: 1996-02-20
  • Date Complaint: 2000-07-08
  • VIN: KMHVE32N0RU
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE,EQUIPMENT
  • Summary: HAD ENGINE REPLACED 5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, 3 YEARS LATER VALVES HAD TO BE REPLACED, SEVERAL PROBLEMS W/ AC, BRAKES, INTERIOR ITEMS SUCH AS KNOBS, AC OUTLETS BROKEN. TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE KEY OR AUTOMATICALLY, CAN ONLY GET TO IT THROUGH THE BACK SEATS.
Hyundai Scoupe 1993
  • Date Of Incident: 2000-05-13
  • Date Complaint: 2000-05-23
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: KMHVE32N2PU
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED UP. FIRE DEPARTMENT RELAYED TO CONSUMER THAT THE CAUSE OF FIRE WAS AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. DEFECT COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY OR POSSIBLY DEATH TO CONSUMER. *AK
Hyundai Scoupe 1994
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Date Complaint: 1999-08-13
  • VIN: KMHVE32N8RU
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: NO SUMMARY
Hyundai Scoupe 1995
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Date Complaint: 1999-04-22
  • VIN: KMHVE22N5SU
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: I HAVE HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN THIS CAR. MY DEFORSTER DOES NOT WORK WITHOUT THE AIR CONDITIONER ON. IAM CONSTANTLY PUTTING OIL IN THIS CAR EVERY WEEK. THE CAR HAS A LOUD TICKING SOUN THAT NO KNOWS WHAT IT IS. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS COMING ON AND THE HYUNDAI COMPANY DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS AND I CONSTANLTY HAVING NEW BRAKES PUT ON MY CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO RETURN THIS SOORY CAR BACK TO HYUNDAI.*AK
Hyundai Scoupe 1991
  • Date Of Incident: 1999-03-04
  • Date Complaint: 1999-03-04
  • VIN: KMHVE22J9MU
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: THIS CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO THE DEALER THREE TIMES IN 1992 FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND HAS NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL PHONE CALLS TO DEALER IN PAST YEARS BUT WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. THIS CAR HAS ALWAYS HAD JERKING ON EXCELLERATION, FAST IDLE WHEN DOING 20, 30 AND 40 MPH. IT NOW STALLS AND SLIPS OUT OF GEAR. IT HAS LURCHED FORWARD IN THE PAST FROM A STOP. THIS CAR HAS NEVER RUN RIGHT AS FAR AS THE TRANSMISSION IS CONCERNED BUT HYUNDAI DOES NOT WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
Hyundai Scoupe 1992
  • Date Of Incident: 1993-02-18
  • Date Complaint: 1998-12-14
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO GEARS. TO KEEP IN A LOW GEAR, CONSUMER HAS TO DO THIS MANUALLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Hyundai Scoupe 1993
  • Date Of Incident: 1998-09-01
  • Date Complaint: 1998-09-21
  • VIN: KMHVE32N4PU
  • Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
  • Summary: OWNER REQUESTS LIABILITY INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER ON A HOOD LATCH FAILURE.

Latest negative Hyundai Scoupe car reviews

  1. Osborne Reinger 2024-05-28

    Vehicle year: 1993

    I have a love/hate relationship with my '92 Hyundai Scoupe. I purchased it in late 1998 for $2000 when it had roughly 135,000 miles on it. It's a fun little car, but unfortunately, in the past four years, I've had to pay around $3000 in repairs, which is over double the value of the car. Currently, it has 146,500 miles, which is quite impressive for an early Hyundai, but those miles have come at a cost. When it's running, it's a blast to drive, but its reliability problems can get old fast. Despite its issues, I still have a soft spot for my zippy little car.

Latest positive Hyundai Scoupe car reviews

  1. Johnson Crist 2024-11-28

    Vehicle year: 1994

    I hope you're doing well! I just wanted to share that I bought this car back in 1992 and it has been an absolute gem ever since!

  2. Xander Stanton 2024-11-12

    Vehicle year: 1994

    I'm so glad to hear that you're happy with your Hyundai! It sounds like it's been a really reliable car for you. If you're thinking about getting another car this year, I would definitely recommend considering another Hyundai.

  3. Carey Greenfelder 2024-11-12

    Vehicle year: 1992

    These little cars are awesome! They're really fun to drive and have a sporty look. I highly recommend this car to anyone!

  4. Jed Erdman 2024-10-13

    Vehicle year: 1995

    I'm the second owner to my Scoupe. It had about 53,000 miles on her when I bought it 5 years ago. I change the oil every 3000 miles, and keep her tuned up. She has about 112000 on her now, and I've replaced things that you would normally replace on a vehicle with that many miles on it. I live in Maine, and for all the wear and tear I've given her, she's been an awesome little car. And for my next car, if I don't get a four wheel drive, I'm seriously considering buying another Hyundai vehicle (nothing prior to 1994, though).

  5. Chance Daniel 2024-10-07

    Vehicle year: 1994

    The only issues I've had with my scoupe in 3 1/2 years are replacing a water pump and a starter. She has a slight miss every now and then, but it's just her way of reminding me to tune her up.

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