2011-2016 Hyundai Equus Reliability Score: 8.1 out of 10

96 NHTSA Complaints

3 Recalls

1 Fire Reports

4 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

8.1 / 10

Reliability score

Fewer owner complaints than similar full-size sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 12 powertrain complaints. A typical full-size sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 21.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.2 points in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall12 complaints against about 21 for similar vehicles

8.1

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced

n/aNot enough data

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year

2011n/a
2012n/a
2013n/a
20148.2
2015n/a
2016n/a

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

DOHC GDI TAU

5.0L

67 complaints 13.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical

suspension

brakes

other

transmission

DOHC TAU

4.6L

23 complaints 23.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

suspension

brakes

electrical

wheels tires

engine

Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

Hyundai Equus Unidentified Engine

4 complaints 1.0 per year

1 fire report

View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical

safety systems

interior

DOHC GDI LAMBDA II

3.8L

2 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

interior

transmission

fuel system

Same engine used in

KIA Sorento (2016-2020)KIA Sedona (2015-2021)KIA Sorento (2011-2015)

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Equus, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension: 24 owner complaints

Electrical System: 20 owner complaints

Brakes: 16 owner complaints

Interior: 9 owner complaints

Transmission: 8 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2011-2016 Hyundai Equus

On a used 2011-2016 Hyundai Equus, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the suspension (24), the electrical system (20) and the brakes (16). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Drive over a speed bump and a rough patch at 15 to 20 mph with the radio off.Safety. NHTSA has 24 owner complaints on the 2011-2016 Hyundai Equus about the suspension.
Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 20 owner complaints on the 2011-2016 Hyundai Equus about the electrical system.
On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 16 owner complaints on the 2011-2016 Hyundai Equus about the brakes.
Latch and tug every seat belt, move every seat through its full travel and lock each seatback.Safety. NHTSA has 9 owner complaints on the 2011-2016 Hyundai Equus about the seats, seat belts and interior.
Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 8 owner complaints on the 2011-2016 Hyundai Equus about the transmission and drivetrain.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2011-2016 Hyundai Equus

Recalls (3)

23V651000Sep 22, 2023serious

Service Brakes

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

16V117000Feb 29, 2016serious

Visibility

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2012 Genesis vehicles manufactured August 1, 2011, to April 30, 2012, and 2011-2013 Equus vehicles manufactured July 10, 2011, to June 12, 2012. The windshield wiper motor cover seal on the affected vehicles may degrade allowing corrosion on the wiper motor's circuit board. The corrosion can cause intermittent or total loss of wiper function.

14V713000Nov 7, 2014serious

Exterior Lighting

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Hyundai Genesis vehicles manufactured April 30, 2008, to November 21, 2010, and 2011 Hyundai Equus vehicles manufactured July 31, 2010, to November 21, 2010. Due to a circuit failure, the stop lamps in the affected vehicles may not illuminate.

Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan

Lexus

2001-2006

9.7/10

5 engines / 194 complaints

3 engines / 215 complaints

4 engines / 388 complaints

3 engines / 28 complaints

4 engines / 134 complaints

6 engines / 1,015 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2011-2016 Hyundai Equus complaints?

Owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011-2016 Hyundai Equus. The systems they name most often are the suspension, the electrical system and the brakes.

Is the 2011-2016 Hyundai Equus a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011-2016 Hyundai Equus. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011-2016 Hyundai Equus have?

NHTSA has 96 owner complaints on file for the 2011-2016 Hyundai Equus as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2011-2016 Hyundai Equus?

NHTSA lists 3 recalls covering some 2011-2016 Hyundai Equus vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Hyundai Equus?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the suspension, the electrical system and the brakes, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Equus have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2011-2016 Hyundai Equus. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 96 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-12.