1987 Hyundai Excel recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
4 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. 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 S…
What could happen: THE MELTING PLASTIC AIR FILTER CASE MAY LEAD TO A FIREIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
The fix: REPLACE THE REED VALVE SUBASSEMBLY WITH ONE WHOSE METAL COMPONENTS ARE FABRICATED FROM CORROSION RESISTANT STAINLESS STEEL.
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 1987 EXCEL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 91V225000.
- 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: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: EXHAUST SYSTEM.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.NOTE: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY WILL BE PERFORMING THIS RECALL FOR THE HYUNDAIEXCEL AND FOR THE MITSUBISHI PRECIS.
2. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. 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.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: HYUNDAI WILL PERFORM A COST FREE TRANSMISSION OIL CHANGE.
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 1987 EXCEL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93V167000.
- 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: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: POWER TRAIN; TRANSMISSION; STANDARD; MANUAL.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL 4 OR 5 SPEEDTRANSMISSIONS.
3. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. VEHICLE MAY FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE BRAKE FADE AND RECOVERY PORTION OF FMVSS 105.
What could happen: THERE MAY BE A LOSS OF BRAKING EFFICIENCY DURINGREPEATED HARD APPLICATION OF BRAKES WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIORWARNING.
The fix: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE PADS WITH NEWLY DESIGNED SEMI METALLIC BRAKE PADS.
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 1987 EXCEL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V180000.
- 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: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
Summary: VEHICLE MAY FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE BRAKE FADE AND RECOVERY PORTION OF FMVSS 105.
Consequence: THERE MAY BE A LOSS OF BRAKING EFFICIENCY DURINGREPEATED HARD APPLICATION OF BRAKES WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIORWARNING.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE PADS WITH NEWLY DESIGNED SEMI METALLIC BRAKE PADS.
Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKES/FMVSS 105VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS ANDAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.
4. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. 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.
What could happen: THIS COULD CAUSE ERRATIC CRUISE CONTROL OPERATION, WHICHCOULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The fix: REPLACE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.
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 1987 EXCEL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 89V100000.
- 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: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: CRUISE CONTROL.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS WITH SPECIFIC CRUISE SYSTEMS (SCS).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1987 Hyundai Excel owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (4), Transmission / drivetrain (3), Electrical system (3), Steering (2), Visibility (wipers / glass) (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/03/2005 · Steering
1987 HYUNDAI EXCEL HAS A BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT AND BOTH CROSSMEMBERS ARE BENT.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLE WAS POORLY WELDED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME. THE COVER SUPPORT BENT. THE RACK AND PINION LEAKED. THE UPPER TIE BAR BENT. *NM
05/21/1999 · Engine · fire
HYUNDAI PARTS DEPT WILL NOT REPAIR FIRE DAMAGE UNDER HOOD CAUSED BY THE DEFECTIVE RECALLED PART "REED VALVE." THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE THE PART THAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE. THIS IS A CAR THAT NEVER MADE SENSE. PLEASE HELP. REPAIR BILLS WILL BE VERY COSTLY AND HYUNDAI MOTOR CORP. DOESN'T WANT TO ADMIT THEIR MISTAKES. THEY EVEN SAID THE 1999 CARS ARE TOTALLY DI…
01/29/1998 · Transmission / drivetrain
HEATER CORE RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER SERVICE RECALL REPAIRS. (94V-103.001). *AK
02/18/1997 · Transmission / drivetrain
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE MAKES NOISE, SOUNDS LIKE THE MOTOR'S KNOCKING AGAINST SOMETHING. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, WAS INFORMED THAT DRIVESHAFT PLATE FAILED, RESULTING IN SHIFTING FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER TO BE VERY HARD. *AK
02/17/1997 · Unknown Or Other
UNSPECIFIED.
09/13/1996 · Transmission / drivetrain
CLUTCH ASSEMBLY CABLE FAILURE. *AK
12/13/1995 · Fuel system · fire
WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD CAR REAR END CATCHES ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
11/21/1995 · Engine
LEAKING OIL. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT