What year Hyundai Equus should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2011 and 2014 are the Equus years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 80. 2011 also had 2 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries reported.

What is the best year for the Hyundai Equus?

2015 and 2016 are the best years, with complaint index scores of 20 and 0 respectively. Both years had only 9 complaints each with no crashes or fires.

Is the 2014 Hyundai Equus reliable?

The 2014 Equus had the most complaints of any Equus year at 36, mostly related to Structure & Body issues (28% of complaints), though it had no reported crashes, fires, or injuries.

Does the Hyundai Equus have recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 total recall campaigns across the 2011-2016 Equus, covering the wiper motor cover and seal, the stop lamp switch circuit, and a brake-related recall affecting the 2014-2015 model years.

What is the most common problem area for the Hyundai Equus?

Suspension, Wheels & Tires is the top problem area across all years, accounting for 29 complaints and 30% of the total, followed by Electrical System at 24% and Brakes at 22%.

Hyundai Equus Best and Worst Years (2011–2016)

Across 2011-2016, the Hyundai Equus years to avoid are 2011 and 2014, with complaint index scores of 100 and 80 versus a low of 0 for 2016. 2015 and 2016 rank as the best years, each with only 9 complaints and no crashes or fires reported.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2011 Avoid 2014 Best 2016

Model years: 6; 2011–2016
NHTSA complaints: 96
Recall campaigns: 3
Crashes reported: 4
Fires reported: 1
Top problem area: Suspension, Wheels & Tires

Equus Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Hyundai Equus problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2011	Avoid	100	24	2	1	2	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	18	—
2012	Caution	60	8	1	0	1	Transmission & Powertrain	18	—
2013	Good	40	10	1	0	1	Brakes	18	—
2014	Avoid	80	36	0	0	1	Structure & Body	18	—
2015	Caution	20	9	0	0	1	Electrical System	18	—
2016	Best	0	9	0	0	0	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	18	—

Equus years to avoid: what went wrong

2011 Hyundai Equus Index 100 · 24 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2011 Equus has the highest complaint index (100) of all six model years and ranks worst overall, with 24 complaints, 2 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries. Suspension, Wheels & Tires issues dominate, making up 46% of complaints for this year, with owners reporting front suspension collapse and instability at a median mileage of 29,000. Electrical System problems, including a reported fire, occurred at a median of just 11,000 miles. Two recalls apply to this year, covering the wiper motor cover/seal and the stop lamp switch circuit.

2014 Hyundai Equus Index 80 · 36 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2014 Equus ranks second-worst with 36 complaints, the highest complaint count of any year in this lineup, though no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths were reported. Structure & Body issues lead at 28% of complaints, with owners describing seat and interior hardware failures at a median mileage of 46,798. Electrical System problems follow at 25%, with a median failure mileage of 36,774. One recall, covering the brakes, applies to this model year.

Most common Hyundai Equus problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Suspension, Wheels & Tires29 (30%)
Electrical System23 (24%)
Brakes21 (22%)
Engine15 (16%)
Structure & Body12 (13%)
Other9 (9%)
Transmission & Powertrain8 (8%)
Steering7 (7%)
Airbags5 (5%)
Fuel System4 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Hyundai Equus should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2011 and 2014 are the Equus years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 80. 2011 also had 2 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries reported.
What is the best year for the Hyundai Equus?: 2015 and 2016 are the best years, with complaint index scores of 20 and 0 respectively. Both years had only 9 complaints each with no crashes or fires.
Is the 2014 Hyundai Equus reliable?: The 2014 Equus had the most complaints of any Equus year at 36, mostly related to Structure & Body issues (28% of complaints), though it had no reported crashes, fires, or injuries.
Does the Hyundai Equus have recalls?: NHTSA lists 3 total recall campaigns across the 2011-2016 Equus, covering the wiper motor cover and seal, the stop lamp switch circuit, and a brake-related recall affecting the 2014-2015 model years.
What is the most common problem area for the Hyundai Equus?: Suspension, Wheels & Tires is the top problem area across all years, accounting for 29 complaints and 30% of the total, followed by Electrical System at 24% and Brakes at 22%.