Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 7 | 0 |
| 1998 | 2 | 0 |
| 1997 | 2 | 0 |
| 1996 | 3 | 0 |
| 1995 Excel | 5 | 0 |
| 1994 Excel | 33 | 2 |
| 1993 Excel | 20 | 1 |
| 1992 Excel | 34 | 1 |
| 1991 Excel | 38 | 1 |
| 1990 Excel | 38 | 2 |
| 1989 Excel | 68 | 4 |
| 1988 Excel | 43 | 4 |
| 1987 Excel | 13 | 4 |
| 1986 Excel | 13 | 5 |
| 1985 | 0 | 0 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Engine and engine cooling73
- Power train71
- Electrical system46
- Visibility40
- Seat belts28
- Service brakes, hydraulic19
- Fuel system, gasoline17
- Suspension14
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
In New Zealand
27 Excel cars are on the New Zealand register; 15% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1999 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1997 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1994 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1993 | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| 1991 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1990 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1989 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 1988 | 8 | 7 | 0 |
| 1986 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
311 Excel cars are on Dutch roads; 1% arrived later as imports. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 49 | — |
| 1999 | 81 | — |
| 1998 | 61 | — |
| 1997 | 37 | — |
| 1996 | 41 | — |
| 1995 | 42 | — |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
Recalls
9 campaigns cover the Excel.
THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE STEM DOES NOT MEET THE MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS. HIGH COOLANT TEMPERATURES CAN CAUSE THE STEM TO LEAK.
IN SOME VEHICLES, THE MANUFACTURER'S PROTECTIVE INTERNAL COATING OF THE ELECTRONIC CRANK ANGLE SENSOR DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS, WHICH CAN CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT AT HIGH OPERATING TEMPERATURES. THIS CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL.
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.
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.
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.
LOCK WASHER LOCATED UNDER THE NUT THAT SECURES THE FRONT HUB TO THE DRIVE SHAFT MAY HAVE HAD IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT AND COULD CRACK.
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.
VEHICLE MAY FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE BRAKE FADE AND RECOVERY PORTION OF FMVSS 105.
A COTTER PIN IN THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER LINKAGE ASSEMBLY MAY BE MISSING. THIS PIN ACTS AS A RETAINER FOR THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER PUSHROD CLEVIS PIN. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE CLEVIS PIN MAY SLIDE OUT CAUSING THE MASTER CYLINDER/BRAKE PEDAL LINKAGE TO BECOME DISENGAGED. IF THIS LINKAGE BECOMES DISENGAGED THE SERVICE BRAKES CANNOT BE APPLIED, CREATING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
NHTSA recalls