AI Damage1987 Hyundai Excel: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Hyundai Excel filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 13
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 23% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 23% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 15% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 15% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 8% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 8% of all complaints
- 8 Seats 8% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (23% of all).
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (23% of all).
- Steering: 2 complaints (15% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Visibility: 2 complaints (15% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 13 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Was in an accident with child weigh (40) in the passenger side seat with no booster the restraint didn't restraint the child went through the windshield . Tt
Car was in accident because the steering wheel locked up. Please describe. Tt
1987 hyundai excel has a broken motor mount and both crossmembers are bent. 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.
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.
Heater core recall repairs refused due to make and model of vehicle. In addition, transmission failed after service recall repairs. (94v-103.001).
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.
While driving down road car rear end catches on fire. Please describe details. Tt
Left front bolt of driver's seat anchor ripped out of floor; seat not stable; no longer secure; held by three bolts instead of four. Tt
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 9,843 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 27% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Excel has 22 complaints (15 years in the data). This year has 13, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Hyundai Excel?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, powertrain, steering. Total complaints: 13. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (15%), A/C or heater (8%), knocking, grinding or other noise (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Hyundai Excel?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1987 Hyundai Excel from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.