YearToAvoid

2011 Hyundai Equus Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 6 Equus years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2011 Hyundai Equus ranks worst of 6 model years with a Complaint Index of 100 and 24 complaints, mostly suspension (46%) and brakes (29%). It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Equus years, with 2 recalls and a median failure mileage of 50,000.

Complaints
24
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
2 / 1
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
18
16 city / 24 hwy

Top 2011 Hyundai Equus problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (46%)
  2. Brakes7 (29%)
  3. Electrical System6 (25%)
  4. Engine2 (8%)
  5. Airbags1 (4%)
  6. Other1 (4%)
  7. Steering1 (4%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers1 (4%)

What owners report

  • Front air suspension suddenly fails, causing the front end to drop and drag against the ground while driving.
  • Suspension collapse recurs multiple times on the same vehicle despite repair attempts.
  • Brake lights fail to illuminate when the brake pedal is pressed, sometimes tied to a diode or harness issue.
  • Brakes turn spongy during hard driving even after master cylinder replacement.
  • Electrical system and instrument panel components fail entirely, with dealers unable to diagnose the cause.
  • Interior soot and burnt seat/door trim were reported after a fire with the engine off and vehicle parked.
2011 Hyundai Equus complaints: complaints filed per month3Jul 2012Apr 2013Jun 2016Dec 2016Feb 2019Mar 2020May 2022Oct 2025
30 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2012 to Oct 2025; peak Jul 2013 (3).

2011 Hyundai Equus recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V117000Feb 29, 2016Visibility & Wipers18,700 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor

    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.

    Risk: Inoperative wipers during inclement weather can decrease driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: 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.

  2. NHTSA 14V713000Nov 7, 2014Electrical System42,925 vehicles

    Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch

    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.

    Risk: A following vehicle may not recognize that the vehicle is slowing or coming to a stop if the stop lamps on the vehicle do not illuminate as expected. There is an increased risk of a rear-end crash as a result.

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the stop lamp switch circuit, free of charge. Hyundai issued an interim notification to owners on January 6, 2015. The recall began on March 23, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 125.

2011 Hyundai Equus fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16 MPG
Highway
24 MPG
Combined
18 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,450
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2011 compared with other Equus years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Avoid10024218
2012Caution608118
2013Good4010118

All Hyundai Equus years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Hyundai Equus reliable?
Among Equus model years, 2011 ranks worst, with the highest Complaint Index (100) and 24 NHTSA complaints, mostly suspension and brake related.
What year Hyundai Equus should I avoid?
Based on NHTSA data, 2011 and 2014 carry Avoid verdicts, with 2011 ranked worst overall (Complaint Index 100) and 2014 close behind (Complaint Index 80).
Does the 2011 Hyundai Equus have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for a wiper motor cover and seal issue, and one for a stop lamp switch circuit repair.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Hyundai Equus?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints are most common, making up 46% of complaints, including front air suspension failures reported at a median mileage of 29,000.
How does the 2011 Equus compare to 2015 and 2016 models?
The 2015 and 2016 Equus are rated Best with Complaint Index scores of 20 and 0 respectively, far lower than the 2011 model's Complaint Index of 100.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.