Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Equus vs Toyota Camry
How the Hyundai Equus and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Hyundai Equus vs Toyota Camry: The Equus averages 16.2 complaints per year with 6 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The Equus has fewer reported issues but higher repair costs; the Camry has more complaints but easier service. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Equus or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Equus
The Hyundai Equus is a low-volume luxury sedan, so you'll see fewer complaints overall—about 16 per year. But the pattern is consistent: suspension and brake issues show up repeatedly, and some recalls for brakes and wipers took months to get parts. For a buyer, that means fewer reported problems but potentially expensive repairs when they hit.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume family sedan with about 206 complaints per year, which is expected given how many are on the road. Owners report a wide range of issues, from transmission shuddering to brake noises and electrical glitches. The sheer number of complaints and recalls means you're more likely to encounter a problem, but also that parts and service are widely available.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Equus | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 97 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 16.2 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 5 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Hyundai Equus
- 01SUSPENSION24
- 02SERVICE BRAKES16
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING9
- 05ENGINE9
Owners describe the car feeling like it's dragging or the suspension going bad, often after 100,000 miles. This can mean worn air springs or shocks, which are costly to replace on a luxury car.
Complaints include brake fluid leaks and recall notices for ABS control units that weren't fixed due to parts shortages. A buyer should check if the brake recall was completed.
Reports of dead batteries, no-start conditions, and dashboard/leather bubbling in heat. These electrical gremlins can be intermittent and hard to diagnose.
Headlights flicker or turn off in auto mode, and cabin lights flicker at the same time. This is a safety concern at night and may require replacing the light stalk switch.
“FROM THE DESK OF LMI'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: [XXX] I PURCHASED 2012 EQUUS ON MARCH 7, 2012 WITH 108,216 MILES. THE CARS SUSPENSION STARTED GOING BAD AS OF LAST WEEK. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK ON MARCH 20, 2020 TO HAVE A MIRROR REPLACED AND TO DISCUSS THE SUSPENSIO…”
“I WAS DRIVING ON I-85 S FROM NORTH CAROLINA WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR STARTS TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS DRAGGING. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE FOR A FEW MORE EXITS TO SEE IF IT WOULD STOP. I GOT OFF AFTER FOUR EXITS, TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND CHECKED THE TIRES. NOTHING APPEARED WR…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection, and transmission shuddering or hesitation. These can leave you stranded or cause expensive repairs.
Complaints include delayed throttle response and check engine lights with shuddering. This points to potential fuel or ignition issues that need prompt attention.
The electronic parking brake may not disengage, and a clicking/vibrating noise from the ABS is common. Brake problems can be both annoying and safety-related.
Multiple systems like stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring can malfunction at once. This suggests complex electronic faults that are hard to fix.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Hyundai Equus — 6 recalls
The defect: 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 B…
The risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may…
The defect: 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 corros…
The risk: Inoperative wipers during inclement weather can decrease driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor cover and seal, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 140.
The defect: 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 corros…
The risk: Inoperative wipers during inclement weather can decrease driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor cover and seal, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 140.
The defect: 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 B…
The risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Hyundai Equus or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Hyundai Equus has far fewer complaints per year (16 vs. 206), but it's a low-volume luxury car with potentially pricier repairs. The Camry's higher complaint rate reflects its huge popularity, but also means more widespread issues. In practice, the Equus may have fewer problems, but the Camry is easier and cheaper to service.
Key differences
- The Equus has about 16 complaints per year; the Camry has about 206, but the Camry sells in much higher numbers.
- Equus owners report suspension and brake issues; Camry owners report transmission, engine, and brake problems.
- The Equus has 6 recalls; the Camry has 31, including airbag and seat recalls.
- Camry complaints include many crash-related reports (171) and injuries (158), while Equus has 4 crash-related and 5 injuries.
- Check for suspension noises or dragging feel, especially on models over 100,000 miles—air suspension repairs are expensive.
- Verify that the brake recall (23V651000) was completed; if not, the ABS control unit may fail.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park—if it sticks, it could be a sign of a transmission range sensor issue.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area, which may indicate an ABS problem common on 2023 Camrys.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website.
- Have a mechanic inspect the suspension and brakes, especially on the Equus.
- For the Camry, test drive at various speeds to check for transmission shuddering or hesitation.
- Ask for maintenance records, particularly for brake and electrical repairs.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a dealer familiar with the model.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Hyundai Equus or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Equus vs Toyota Camry
- Hyundai Equus total complaints
- 97
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Hyundai Equus total recalls
- 6
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Hyundai Equus avg complaints/year
- 16.2
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Equus
- Hyundai Equus top complaint area
- SUSPENSION
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN