Hyundai Equus Reliability by Year
Best & Worst Years, Problems & Recalls — NHTSA Data

Safety Recall

Safety Recall

Safety Recall

Safety Recall

Safety Recall

Safety Recall

FOLLOWING A SLIP ON THE ROAD I AM THE VICTIM OF AN ACCIDENT ON THE EDGE OF A HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CAR STRUCK THE MOUNTAIN, BUT THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO ACTIVATE IN THE ACCIDENT RESULTING IN A FRONTAL IMPACT, WHICH CAUSED ME SERIOUS INJURY. WHY THE AIRBAGS ARE NOT TRIGGERED ?? THE CAR MADE SEVERAL ROTATIONS AND SUFFERED IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE AND DESPITE EVERYTHING THE AIRBAGS WERE NOT TRIGGERED.

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 SUSPENSION PROBLEM. IT?S BEEN OVER A WEEK AND TODAY THEM AFTER A 45 MINUTE DRIVE I WAS TOLD THEY HAD THE WRONG MIRROR...EVEN THOUGH I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE PERSON ([XXX]) AND HE ASSURED ME EVERYTHING WAS IN ORDER AND HE EVEN SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THEM TO REPLACE THE MIRROR. WHILE I WAS THERE I SHOWED [XXX] THE SUSPENSION AND I WAS REFERRED TO THE SALES MANAGER. TALK TO THE SALES MANAGER AND HE SHOWED NO CONCERN...THE SALES MANAGER GAVE ME A LOOK LIKE, SO WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO ABOUT IT. I STATED MY CONCERN AND THAT I'VE ONLY DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE 590 MILES (TO WORK AND HOME) SINCE I PURCHASED IT AND THE SUSPENSION SHOULD NOT BE ACTING UP ALREADY. I COULD SEE IF I HAD THE VEHICLE FOR SOME MONTHS BUT I HAD IT ROUGHLY FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. AGAIN, HE SHOWED NO CONCERN AND RESTATED THE "AS IS" POLICY. I UNDERSTAND THE "AS IS" PART AND I ADMIT I DID SIGN THE DOCUMENT BUT THE VEHICLE SEEMED FINE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. MY CONCERN IS THE DEALERSHIPS ATTITUDE AFTER THE SALE. NO ONE SHOULD TREAT CUSTOMERS THAT WAY. I UNDERSTAND WHY THEY HAVE GOOD REVIEWS...IT IS BECAUSE MOST OF THEM COME FROM PEOPLE WHO PURCHASED NEW CARS OR CARS UNDER WARRANTY (MY FAULT FOR NOT DOING SO) HOWEVER A BUSINESS SHOULD BE ABLE TO WORK WITH OR ATTEMPT TO TRY HELP OUT A CUSTOMER (IT'S CALLED MAINTAINING REPEAT BUSINESS AND DEVELOPING CUSTOMER LOYALTY). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI EQUUS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JOLTED CONTINUOUSLY AND SHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY INTO ANOTHER GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

MY VEHICLE SWAYS LIKE A BOAT SIDE TO SIDE NO MATTER MY SPEED, BUT ON THE HIGHWAY IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE I'M LOSING CONTROL. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER HAVING IT FOR 4 WEEKS THEY RETURNED MY VEHICLE BACK TO ME NOT REPAIRED AND NO ANSWERS TO WHY THE ISSUE STARTED. I WAS TOLD THEY WERE REQUESTING AN HYUNDAI FIELD ENGINEER TO COME OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM IN ALMOST 2 MONTHS. *TR

AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF PURCHASING CAR THE ECS LIGHT STARTED ILLUMINATING WHICH IN RETURN GAVE CAR A SPONGY, BOUNCY RIDE ETC., HEIGHT FUNCTION WOULD NOT WORK. AFTER REPAIRS WERE DONE 1ST TIME AROUND JUNE-AUGUST OF 2013 SEEM LIKE EVERY FEW MONTHS PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR AGAIN AND AGAIN, LATEST BEING JULY 2014,CAR WAS PLACED IN SHOP JULY 7TH AND CAR WAS JUST RETURNED JULY 31ST IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT I THINK WILL CONTINUE FROM MY EXPERIENCE SINCE PURCHASING CAR, I AM NO TECH OR ENGINEER BUT FOR A FAIRLY NEW CAR THAT'S NOT THAT OLD THIS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING, IT IS MIND BOGGLING. *TR

On August, 2nd around noon, I was driving alone, west on a rural road called 1869 in Liberty Hill, TX. I believe the speed limit on this winding rural road is 55mph, and I was about 1 mile west of 183. While my car was in motion, my active headrest activated (exploded) into the back of my head, throwing me forward into the steering wheel. This happened randomly and unprompted. There were no other cars on the road with me, I didn’t collide with anything, and the road was smooth. I quickly regained control of the car and continued to my destination. The Hyundai dealership confirms the misfired active headrest, and Hyundai does not want to repair it, as the vehicle is out of warranty. There were no warnings prior to the event. I was resting my head on the headrest when it happened.

Within last two years I've been dealing with random and intermittent headlight flickering/turning off when the light stalk switch is in AUTO mode. Also, the cabin lights flicker and turn off at the same time when headlights do. It is very dangerous when it happens during night driving. Luckily problem can be overridden by switching the stalk to ON modes and the interior cluster lights and headlights come back on again. Problem seems to be happening only when in AUTO mode. I talked to dealer, they tried to replicate the problem without success. Problem happens to me at least once a month. I spent lot of time reading about this problem in forums, and found one same comment on the Equus vehicle and many on Genesis which was sold in much higher volumes. It seems to be the same problem, and Hyundai has issued the extended warranty program (but for Genesis 15-16 cars) 20-BE-009H. I firmly believe it's the same problem, its just not many Equus vehicles was sold as Genesis. Please help - we are hardly driving the car at night anymore and we really like it. And dealer didn't want to replace the stalk without being able to properly diagnose/replicate the problem.

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Equus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, there was an unknown liquid leaking from under the hood. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Services Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,925. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Equus. The contact stated that while driving into the driveway, the front air suspension suddenly failed causing the front-end of the vehicle to collapse onto the front tires, making the vehicle undrivable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on two previous occasions with the driver’s and passenger’s side rear air suspensions, and the front passenger’s side air suspension. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

Active headrest on front passenger side inadvertently deployed while driving on a smooth toll road at normal speed. Any passenger could have been severely injured and there could be risk of driver side deployment that could not only cause severe injury but also collision. There were no warning indicators and the entire unit must be replaced because the plastic retention clips broke. The car is currently in the shop.

WHENEVER IT GETS HOT IN THIS AREA, MY VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONS. FIRST THE DASH BUBBLED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE LEATHER ON THE DRIVER DOOR BUBBLES UP AND HAS BEEN REPLACED.. IT IS BUBBLING AGAIN ON THE DRIVER DOOR BUT IS NOT COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. BOTH HEADRESTS HAVE POPPED OPEN. ONE HAPPEN WHILE AT THE CAR WASH AND THE OTHER HAPPENED WHILE I WAS IN THE GROCERY STORE. BOTH TIMES THE CAR WAS AT REST AND WINDOWS UP.. IT COSTS $1600 TO REPLACE. THE DRIVER WINDOW SWITCH DOES NOT WORK WHEN HOT OUTSIDE. HAD IT CHECKED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 10 TIMES. MAINTENANCE AGENT WITNESSED IT BUT BY APPOINTMENT TIME WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THE WARRANTY REPAIR NEVER OCCURRED. ADDITIONALLY,, THE RADIO GOES OUT AND FRIES LIKE A CB. COMPLAINED TWO YEARS ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT AGAIN, THE MECHANIC COULD NEVER DUPLICATE THIS ISSUE WHEN THE CAR WAS RETURNED FOR AN APPOINTMENT. ALL EXCEPT FOR 3 TIMES THE MECHANIC WITNESSED THE PROBLEM AND SHOWED ME HOW TO RESET THE RADIO. THIS ISSUED OCCURRED WHEN CAR WAS IN MOTION AND ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME WHEN THE PHONE WAS CONNECTED AND IN USE. I HAVE TO PUSH A HOLE WITH A PEN TIP TO RESET IT ONCE A MONTH. EVENTUALLY,, I COMPLAINED TO GM AND THEY HAD RADIO REPLACED BUT DEALERSHIP PUT IN A DIFFERENT MODEL OTHER THAN THE ONE FOR THE CAR. NOW PHONE SYSTEM HAS TO BE REPROGRAMMED FOR USE WHENEVER I ENTER THE CAR AS WELL AS THE RADIO SYSTEM RANDOMLY CHANGES THE STATION WHEN TRAVELING. I HAVE VIDEO OF THIS ISSUE. LASTLY THE WINDOWS GET STUCK IN THE UP POSITION WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. HAD THEM CHECKED BY MAINTENANCE MANAGER, BUT HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE DURING THE APPOINTMENT . PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

MAY 4TH 2019 VEHICLE FOUND DEAD AND WOULD NOT START. NO SIGNS OF ANY BATTERY ISSUES IN THE PAST FEW DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED DIRECTLY TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT EMPIRE HYUNDAI LOCATED IN FALL RIVER, MA. VEHICLE CONFIRMED BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO TURN OVER, HOWEVER NO LIGHTS OR CLOCK AND NO POWER. THEN ALL WENT DEAD FOR THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED THAT HE WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE THE ROOT CAUSE FOR THE ONGOING ELECTRICAL ISSUE, AND THE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT. THE SOLUTION THAT WAS PROVIDED WAS TO INSTALL A NEW REPLACEMENT BATTERY. WHEN THE BATTERY WAS INSTALLED, THE 'ISSUE' SEEMED TO GO AWAY. THIS IS A RE-OCCURRING ISSUE RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS, AND THAT IT IS UNLIKELY THAT REPLACING BATTERY IS THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. EMPIRE'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS DOCUMENTED THE ONGOING ELECTRICAL ISSUES AS THE CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN NUMEROUS TIMES USUALLY 'SHUTTING OFF 'AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH THE WHEELS LOCKING UP. (5 TIMES). WE WERE TOLD IT WAS A GROUND ISSUE AND A 'NEW GROUND BOLT WAS INSTALLED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO 'SHUT OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 'AND THE VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL AS LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKING OCCURS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND IS DANGEROUS AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH OTHER CARS OR OBJECTS DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS IS CLEARLY RELATED TO THE WIRING HARNESS\GROUND BOLT AND THE FAILURE MODE IS SIMILAR TO PREVIOUS INCIDENTS WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED DURING OPERATION . COMMUNICATED WE DID NOT FEEL SAFE CONTINUING TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS ISSUE UNRESOLVED. CASE # 15744270 W/ HYUNDAI COMPLAINT DEPT. ATTN: THERE ARE PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS IN NHTSB DATABASE FROM OTHER EQUUS USERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE LOSS OF POWER WHILE VEHICLE IS UNDER OPERATION. THE RISK WITH THIS FAILURE MODE IS SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH AND SHOULD BE ASSIGNED YOUR HIGHEST SEVERITY RISK RATING.

STEERING LOCKS UP WHILE MAKING A COMPLETE TURN

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, AS I APPROACH A VEHICLE FROM THE REAR THAT IS GOING SLOWER, THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGES AND DISPLAYS A MESSAGE SIMILAR TO THIS! " SHUT DOWN ENGINE IMMEDIATELY, SERVICE REQUIRED." THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I DID SO, AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I'VE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT REGULARLY SERVICES THE CAR, AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T RECREATE THE CONDITION. IT APPEARS TO BE A SOFTWARE PROBLEM. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS RECENTLY WHEN THIS CONDITION APPEARS, THE ABILITY TO RESUME ACCELERATION IS LOST MOMENTARILY, AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN DRASTICALLY. IT SUDDENLY RELENTS, AND RESUMES TRAVELLING AT THE PRESET SPEED. THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS WHERE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED. I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT ONE DAY THE WARNING MAY LEAD TO A CATASROPHIC FAILURE OF THE ENGINE

Suspension air Block and airbags failing, even after being replaced by dealership 2 months ago. Most recently happened on the interstate at 70 mph. Fixed by dealership only to happen again!! Known problem by Hyundai dealership yet keep replacing with same defective part number. Twice have had new parts fail during test drive. Very expensive to repair $10,000 so far and just had the rear airbag go burst. Not safe to drive vehicle!! Never know when it will go out again. Last one just lasted two months!! Will never get money back from selling the car! Just want a safe vehicle and Hyundai needs to provide parts that work and are not a safety hazard!!

There are actually 3 problems that my dealer has not been able to fix/diagnose. The first is the headlights, when set to the auto position, they will often turn off and on while driving at night. Service says that they were unable to duplicate the problem, but it keeps happening. The second is the Navigation system updates, that they claim they cannot provide any updates to my 2016 Equus (just about all other years and models are available). The third is the voice recognition system, which only recognizes my voice for phone calls, but not for directions. The dealer (Gettel Hyundai of Sarasota FL) had my vehicle for two weeks and was not able to fix any of these problems, although they charged me over $500 for diagnostics. If I look at the Hyundai Owners Forum, I see these problems documented over and over and I provided the dealership with that information to no avail. I also notified the BBB of my problems, (case# [XXX]), but they are not returning my calls to them in order to update them on my lack of resolutions to my problems. What if anything can I do to pursue this ? I have copied in the CEO of Hyundai USA (J. Munoz) and after initially designating someone under him to get involved, has since been unresponsive (since October 6th, 2023). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI EQUUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWDER COATING FROM EACH WHEEL DETACHED AND LODGED BETWEEN THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS CAUSING THE BRAKING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION AND THE BRAKING DISTANCE TO BE EXTENDED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TO ALL FOUR WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER - BRANDON HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 9915 E ADAMO DR, TAMPA, FL 33619, WHERE THE DEBRIS WAS REMOVED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY A POWDER COATING EXPERT THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY POWDER COATING APPLICATION PROCESS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.

DRIVING AT 75 MPH AND WENT TO PASS SOMEONE. THE ENGINE KICKED DOWN A FEW YEARS AND THE ENTIRE CAR SHUT OFF. NO POWER BRAKES AND NO STEERING AND STEERING LOCKED UP FOR ABOUT A SECOND OR TWO. DURING THE TIME IT WAS OFF THE VEHICLE JERKED HARD LIKE IF THE TIRES HAD LOCKED UP. AFTER THE COUPLE SECONDS THE VEHICLE TURNED BACK ON AND EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR ANYTHING TO INDICATE A PROBLEM I WAS DRIVING ON THE I-80 HEADING TO RENO

VEHICLE PRODUCES EXCESSIVE EXHAUST SOOT AT ALL TIMES. THE SOOT ADHERES TO THE REAR TAIL PIPE, REAR BUMPER, AND TRUNK LID CAUSING STAINING THAT LEADS TO PITTING OF CHROME PIECES. THE SOOT IS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE AFTER A FEW DAYS AND REQUIRES CONSTANT CLEANING. THIS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE AIR QUALITY AND DAMAGE OR STAIN OTHER VEHICLES AND PROPERTY NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING WALLS AND OTHER PARKED VEHICLES. EFFECTS ON LUNGS SHOULD BE STUDIED TO DETERMINE IF PERMANENT DAMAGE COULD RESULT FROM ACCUMULATION OF SOOT. ENOUGH SMALL PARTICULATE MATTER IS EMITTED TO HEAVILY STAIN REAR AREAS OF VEHICLE IN LESS THAN 1 WEEK. VEHICLE EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEMS COULD ALSO BE ADVERSELY AFFECT, CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE OF O2 SENSORS OR CATALYSTS. TOUCHING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AFTER 1 WEEK FOLLOWING A DETAILING LEFT HEAVY, BLACK STRAINS SIMILAR TO THOSE FOUND AFTER MULTIPLE MONTHS OF SEMI-METALIC BRAKE DUST ACCUMULATION. EFFECTS COULD BE SEEN AFTER CITY DRIVING AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. SOME SOOT FORMATION CAN BE SEEN AFTER PROLONGED IDLE.

2016 HYUNDAI EQUUS - BLACK SOOT BEING EMITTED FROM ENGINE THROUGH EXHAUST SYSTEM. VERY HEAVY DEPOSITS ON REAR OF VEHICLE, SUFFICIENT TO BLACKEN CLOTHES, DISCOLOR THE VEHICLE, DOES NOT WIPE OFF AFTER A FEW DAYS AND CHEMICALS MUST BE USED TO REMOVE. MANUFACTURER SAYS: "THIS IS A NORMAL BYPRODUCT OF THE GDI ENGINE". SEE (PICS) MULTIPLYING THE NUMBER OF HYUNDAI VEHICLES IN THE U.S. BY WHAT I AM SEEING ON MY CAR, THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS AIR POLLUTION ISSUE.