AI Damage1992 Hyundai Excel: common problems
Owners of the 1992 Hyundai Excel filed 34 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 34
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 41% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 12% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 12% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
- 5 Seat belts 9% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 6% of all complaints
- 7 Latches, locks, linkages 6% of all complaints
- 8 Equipment 3% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 14 complaints (41% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (12% of all).
- Service brakes: 4 complaints (12% of all).
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (9% of all).
- Seat belts: 3 complaints (9% 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
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 34 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 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.
While driving 40 to 45 mph consumer went to avoid hitting a deer and the steering wheel came off, causing an accident, and totaling vehicle. Cause unknown.
While in motion vehicle suddenly accelerated into another parked vehicle.
Defective lower control arm..1992 hyundai excel..corrodes and rusts, especially on passenger side leading to loss of control of vehicle.
The car stalls out while driving unexpectedly with no warning, leading to a serious road hazard for all occupants of this vehicle . The car will also idle erratically, yielding numerous computer , and no start and stalling situations that are unpredictability have replaced 4 computers (ecu's) in my 1992 hyundai excel…
Dt: the tires were leaking air. The consumer thought it was the tire, but found out it was the rim. This has happened once eight years ago, and once a year ago, and once six months ago. Each time the consumer had the rim replaced at an independent mechanic.
While driving about 55 mph front hood flipped up, blocking vision. Kept control of vehicle, driving off road. Pushed down hood and tied it with a rope then, latch had to be fixed.
Vehicle was hit by a vehicle in which the shoulder belt belt did not lock, this caused the consumer's chest to hit the steering wheel, the lap belt did not fail in the accident.
Abs light illumnated on the dashboard. Also, when attempting to make a normal stop the vehicle continues to accelerate, causing extended stopping distance. Consumer has yet to contact the dealer. Please provide any further details.
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 6,426 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 18% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Excel has 22 complaints (15 years in the data). This year has 34, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1992 Hyundai Excel?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine and cooling, service brakes. Total complaints: 34. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: transmission slipping (18%), stalls while driving (15%), seat belts (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1992 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 1992 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.
Other 1992 models
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.