YearToAvoid

2013 Hyundai Equus Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2013 Hyundai Equus has a complaint index of 40, ranks 4th worst out of 6 model years, and earns a Good verdict relative to other Equus years. It had 10 complaints, 1 recall, and no fires reported.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
40/100
#4 of 6 Equus years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
10
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Top issue
Brakes
Best nearby year
2016
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
18
15 city / 23 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2013 Hyundai Equus problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes4 (40%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (30%)
  3. Engine2 (20%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain2 (20%)
  5. Airbags1 (10%)
  6. Electrical System1 (10%)
  7. Fuel System1 (10%)
  8. Other1 (10%)
  9. Steering1 (10%)

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

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy in a frontal collision, with the driver injured despite no warning lights being on beforehand.
  • Front end shaking severe enough to make the vehicle hard to control on bumpy roads, reported soon after purchase along with repeated alignment fixes and driveshaft and axle replacements.
  • Sudden loss of throttle response at highway speed accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights, including VSM, DSC, EPB, PSB, airbag, and check engine.
  • Multiple tire blowouts at highway speeds on different occasions, with tires replaced each time.
  • Intermittent hesitation when accelerating, requiring hard pedal pressure to get the car moving, described as scary when merging into traffic.
  • ABS light staying on with brakes needing to be pumped to stop reliably, an issue the owner linked to a related recall.
2013 Hyundai Equus complaints: complaints filed per month1Dec 2013Mar 2015Feb 2016Mar 2021Apr 2024
10 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2013 to May 2024; peak Dec 2013 (1).

2013 Hyundai Equus recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

2013 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.

2013 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
2014Avoid8036118
2015Caution209118

All Hyundai Equus years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Hyundai Equus reliable?
Among Equus model years, 2013 ranks 4th worst of 6 with a complaint index of 40, and it carries a Good verdict relative to other years of this model.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Hyundai Equus?
NHTSA complaints show Brakes as the top problem area with 4 complaints (40% share), followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires with 3 complaints (30%).
Does the 2013 Hyundai Equus have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2013 Equus, covering the windshield wiper motor cover and seal, with no do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2013 Equus compare to other years?
The 2013 Equus's complaint index of 40 is lower than 2011 (100, Avoid) and 2014 (80, Avoid), but higher than 2015 (20, Caution) and 2016 (0, Best).

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.