Model year guide

1989 Hyundai Excel

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1989 Hyundai Excel is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1989 Hyundai Excel — representative photo
Representative photo

1989 Hyundai Excel at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints134
Combined26–28 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1989 Hyundai Excel recalls 4

Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:heater Core NHTSA Campaign #94V103000 · 06/06/1994

THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE STEM DOES NOT MEET THE MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS. HIGH COOLANT TEMPERATURES CAN CAUSE THE STEM TO LEAK.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE DEFECTIVE VALVE STEMS.

Power Train:manual Transmission NHTSA Campaign #93V167000 · 04/10/1993

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.

Fix: HYUNDAI WILL PERFORM A COST FREE TRANSMISSION OIL CHANGE.

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System NHTSA Campaign #91V225000 · 31/12/1991

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…

Fix: REPLACE THE REED VALVE SUBASSEMBLY WITH ONE WHOSE METAL COMPONENTS ARE FABRICATED FROM CORROSION RESISTANT STAINLESS STEEL.

Vehicle Speed Control NHTSA Campaign #89V100000 · 19/06/1989

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.

Fix: REPLACE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1989 Hyundai Excel common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1989 Hyundai Excel MPG & running costs

Combined26–28 mpg
City23 mpg
Highway31 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,533
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
Transmission3 options
Passenger volume82 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$667 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1989 Hyundai Excel costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,665
Fuel only$12,665
Per mile$0.17

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
161.0–168.1 in
Width
63.0 in
Height
53.9 in
Wheelbase
93.7 in
Curb weight
2,150–2,167 lb
Front track
54.3 in
Rear track
52.8 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1989 Hyundai Excel — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 11

CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURES Closed

NHTSA #PE94043 · Electrical System · opened May 1994 · closed Oct 1994

HEATER CORE FAILURE Closed

NHTSA #PE94003 · Visibility · opened Jan 1994 · closed Jun 1994

TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION Closed

NHTSA #C92001 · Power Train · opened Sep 1992 · closed Oct 1993

AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE Closed

NHTSA #EA91048 · Seat Belts · opened Nov 1991 · closed Oct 1992

TRANSMISSION LOCK-UP Closed

NHTSA #EA91039 · Power Train · opened Sep 1991 · closed Oct 1992

TRANSMISSION LOCKUP Closed

NHTSA #PE91083 · Power Train · opened Jun 1991 · closed Sep 1991

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES Closed

NHTSA #EA91024 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened May 1991 · closed Jan 1992

PASSENGER BRAKE Closed

NHTSA #PE91053 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Feb 1991 · closed Jun 1991

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES Closed

NHTSA #PE91027 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Jan 1991 · closed May 1991

FRNT SUSPENSION VIBRATES Closed

NHTSA #EA90021 · Suspension · opened Apr 1990 · closed Apr 1991

FRONT SUSPENSION VIBRATION Closed

NHTSA #PE90011 · Steering · opened Oct 1989 · closed Apr 1990

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 8

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.

This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lam…

Bulletin 23-BD-002H · Visibility · Jan 2023

This bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain vehicles listed below.

Bulletin 21-EM-003H · Engine And Engine Cooling, Equipment · Mar 2021

This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear around the brake caliper area.

Bulletin 20-BR-002H · Service Brakes · Nov 2020

This bulletin provides tire vibration service procedures, including how to optimize vehicle vibration performance. For all wheel/tire balance claims, the “Tire Balance Data Sheet” must be fully completed including imbalance and Road Force Variation (RFV) d…

Bulletin 20-SS-004H · Wheels, Tires · Nov 2020

This bulletin provides information on identifying dealer stock vehicles with either: • A Battery SOC alert - low Battery State of Charge (SOC) at or below 50%. • A 30 Day alert - vehicle has not started and reported an SOC in 30 days.

Bulletin 20-EE-003H · Equipment, Electrical System · Apr 2020

The Blind Spot Detection (BSD) or Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) is a system that measures the speed of and distance from the following vehicles by using two magnetic wave radar sensors attached in the rear bumper. The BSD/BCW detects vehicles within the b…

Bulletin 19-BE-011H-1 · Back Over Prevention, Lane Departure · Nov 2019

SHIFT CONDITION CAUSED BY SHORT CIRCUIT IN INHIBITOR SWITCH. *TW

Bulletin 9740002 · Power Train · Jan 1997

EXCELS EQUIPPED WITH HEATER CORES MANUFACTURED BY MANDO MAY EXPERIENCE COOLANT LEAKAGE FROM THE HEATER VALVE STEM ASSEMBLY. *TW

Bulletin 9501002 · Visibility · Jan 1995

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the EXCEL. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1989 Hyundai Excel. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Engine

NOTE: ALL 1988-89 EXCEL VEHICLES SOLD IN CANADA. THE REED VALVE SUBASSEMBLY CONTAINED WITHIN THE AIR CONTROL VALVE COULD FAIL DUE TO CORROSION ALLOWING THE HOT EXHAUST GASES TO FLOW BACKWARD INTO THE PLASTIC SECONDARY AIR FILTER CASE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. THESE HOT GASES MAY MELT THE SECONDARY AIR FILTER CASE AND COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTIO…

Transport Canada #1991176 · Dec 1991

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Hyundai Excel

The Hyundai Excel, also known as the Hyundai Pony, Hyundai Pony Excel, Hyundai Presto, Mitsubishi Precis, and Hyundai X2, is an automobile which was produced by Hyundai Motor Company from 1985 to 1999. It was the first front-wheel drive car produced by the South Korean manufacturer. The Excel range replaced the rear-wheel-drive Hyundai Pony.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1989 Hyundai Excel vehicles on record

1989 Hyundai Excel 1989 Hyundai ExcelKMHLF32J4KU499136

Other Hyundai Excel model years

1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1988 1987

1989 Hyundai Excel — frequently asked questions

Does the 1989 Hyundai Excel have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1989 Hyundai Excel. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1989 Hyundai Excel?

Across all 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, visibility, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 1989 Hyundai Excel get?

The 1989 Hyundai Excel has U.S. EPA estimates of 26–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.