1994 Hyundai Excel recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. IN SOME VEHICLES, THE MANUFACTURER'S PROTECTIVE INTERNAL COATING OF THE ELECTRONIC CRANK ANGLE SENSOR DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS, WHICH CAN CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT AT HIGH OPERATING TEMPERATURES. THIS CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL.
What could happen: ENGINE STALLING HAS THE POTENTIAL TO RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH IF IT OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE SENSOR IS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL, AND REPLACE ANY SENSOR FOUND WITH THE DEFECTIVE INTERNAL COATING.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1994 EXCEL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 94V090000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Summary: IN SOME VEHICLES, THE MANUFACTURER'S PROTECTIVE INTERNAL COATING OF THE ELECTRONIC CRANK ANGLE SENSOR DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS, WHICH CAN CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT AT HIGH OPERATING TEMPERATURES. THIS CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL.
Consequence: ENGINE STALLING HAS THE POTENTIAL TO RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH IF IT OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE SENSOR IS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL, AND REPLACE ANY SENSOR FOUND WITH THE DEFECTIVE INTERNAL COATING.
Notes: SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ALTERNATOR; STARTER. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND FREE OF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE CONTACT HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-829-9956. ALSO, CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. 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.
What could happen: IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE FUEL SPILLAGE CAN RESULTIN A FIRE IF EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
The fix: HYUNDAI HAS DEVELOPED AN APPROPRIATE COUNTERMEASURE THAT WILL COMPLY WITH ALL REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 301.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1994 EXCEL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93V192000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Summary: 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: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL; FUEL SYSTEMS; FMVSS 301.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 3 AND 4 DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES.NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPONSERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND FREEOF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASECONTACT HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER AT 1-313-747-6600. ALSO, PLEASE CONTACT THENATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 1994 Hyundai Excel owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (9), Wheels / tires (8), Engine (6), Electrical system (6), Brakes (5).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
07/20/2011 · Suspension
1994 HYUNDAI EXCEL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MISINFORMATION CONCERNING VEHICLE BRAKES AND TIRE TREAD DEPTH. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ONE OF THE TIRES HAD A LEAK, THE SPARK PLUGS, DRIVE BELTS AND WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, UNTIL FINALLY THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. WITHIN A COUPLE OF MONTHS, TH…
11/04/2004 · Wheels / tires
HEARD A LOUD NOISE , LOOKED TO SEE WHAT CAUSED THE SOUND. WHITE SMOKE, FIRESTONE TIRE BLOW OUT. *BF THE TIRE HAD BLOWN. IT LOOKED LIKE THE TIRE WAS CUT COMPLETELY AROUND THE RIM. *SC
01/15/2004 · Fuel system · fire
FOR INSPECTION I HAD TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH DETERIORATED SEVERELY. THE COST WAS 175 DOLLARS. TODAY THE CAR BECAME A FIREBALL ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND EXPLODED! THE FIREMAN STATED THE CAUSE WAS THE FUEL PUMP IN THE REAR OF THE CAR! I WAS ONLY RUNNING THE CAR AND WENT INSIDE TO GET SOMETHING & RETURNED TO A FIREBALL. I TOTALLY LOST CAR IN FI…
04/15/2002 · Electrical system
WHILE DRIVING KEY IN THE IGNITION TURNED OF BY ITSELF. LOST ALL POWER. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK
06/26/2001 · Transmission / drivetrain
A BLOWN MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK
02/08/2001 · Engine
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND WAS MAKING CLUNKING NOISES. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND WAS INFORMED THAT BOLTS CAME OUT AND ROCKER SHAFT CONNECTED TO EXHAUST SYSTEM HAD BROKEN. *AK 2 WEEKS AFTER REPAIR, CLUNKING NOISES STARTED AGAIN, CONSUMER BOUGHT A NEW HYUNDAI AND HOPES THE SAME PROBLEM WILL NOT OCCUR WITH THE NEW VEHICLE. *SLC
12/31/2000 · Unknown Or Other · fire
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
08/18/1999 · Transmission / drivetrain
WHEEL BEARING FAILED, CAUSING GRINDING NOISE ON LEFT FRONT WHILE DRIVING. YH