1991 Hyundai Excel
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1991 Hyundai Excel is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.
1991 Hyundai Excel at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1991 Hyundai Excel recalls 1
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.
Fix: HYUNDAI HAS DEVELOPED AN APPROPRIATE COUNTERMEASURE THAT WILL COMPLY WITH ALL REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 301.
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.
1991 Hyundai Excel common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1991 Hyundai Excel safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1991 Hyundai Excel 2-DR. HB.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1991 Hyundai Excel MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 5 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 1991 Hyundai Excel costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
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
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1991 Hyundai Excel — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 5
SCISSOR JACK FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #PE95060 · Equipment · opened Dec 1995 · closed Mar 1996CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURES Closed
NHTSA #PE94043 · Electrical System · opened May 1994 · closed Oct 1994TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION Closed
NHTSA #EA92032 · Power Train · opened Oct 1992 · closed Oct 1993TRANSMISSION LOCK-UP Closed
NHTSA #EA91039 · Power Train · opened Sep 1991 · closed Oct 1992PASSENGER BRAKE Closed
NHTSA #PE91053 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Feb 1991 · closed Jun 1991An 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 2023This bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain vehicles listed below.
Bulletin 21-EM-003H · Engine And Engine Cooling, Equipment · Mar 2021This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear around the brake caliper area.
Bulletin 20-BR-002H · Service Brakes · Nov 2020This bulletin provides tire vibration service procedures, including how to optimize vehicle vibration performance. For all wheel/tire balance claims, the âTire Balance Data Sheetâ must be fully completed including imbalance and Road Force Variation (RFV) d…
Bulletin 20-SS-004H · Wheels, Tires · Nov 2020This 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 2020The 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 2019DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES ON PULSE GENERATOR DIAGNOSIS. *YC
Bulletin 970801400251 · Power Train · Aug 1997SHIFT CONDITION CAUSED BY SHORT CIRCUIT IN INHIBITOR SWITCH. *TW
Bulletin 9740002 · Power Train · Jan 1997Source: 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 1991 Hyundai Excel. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Fuel System
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 301 - FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY. IN A DRIVER'S SIDE IMPACT THE REAR LEFT-HAND SPRING SEAT COULD PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK. CORRECTION: A SPRING SEAT PROTECTOR WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE STANDARD.
Transport Canada #1993176 · Dec 1993Source: 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.