2012 Hyundai Equus Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 Hyundai Equus has a complaint index of 60, ranking 3rd worst of 6 model years, with a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 8 complaints and 1 recall, with transmission and powertrain issues making up half of them.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #3 of 6 Equus years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 8
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2012 Hyundai Equus problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (50%)
- Engine3 (38%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (25%)
- Airbags1 (13%)
- Brakes1 (13%)
- Electrical System1 (13%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the transmission jolting and shifting into another gear on its own while driving at various speeds, with one failure logged at 41,000 miles.
- One owner described a suspension that sways side to side at any speed, feeling like a loss of control on the highway, unresolved after the dealership held the car for four weeks.
- A brake-related complaint at 8,000 miles described a spongy, bouncy ride and a height-adjustment function that stopped working, with the issue recurring over several months of repairs.
- One owner reported airbags failing to deploy during a crash at 75,000 miles that caused injury.
- A more recent complaint described a failed transmission service leading to an overheated transmission, a blown transmission cooler, and mixing of coolant and transmission fluid.
2012 Hyundai Equus recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- 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.
2012 Hyundai Equus fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 23 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.
2012 compared with other Equus years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Hyundai Equus reliable?
- It carries a Caution verdict, with a complaint index of 60 that ranks 3rd worst out of 6 Equus model years tracked. NHTSA logged 8 complaints and 1 recall for this year.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Equus?
- Transmission and powertrain issues account for half of all complaints (4 of 8), followed by engine complaints at 38% and suspension issues at 25%.
- Does the 2012 Hyundai Equus have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 16V117000) covers the windshield wiper motor cover and seal; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
- Which Hyundai Equus model years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data shows 2011 and 2014 rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 80. The 2012 model year rates Caution, above the 2016 model year, which rates Best with a complaint index of 0.