The Hyundai Equus spans 2011–2016 with 7 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2014, 2011, 2013 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2012, 2015, 2016. It delivers up to 18 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Hyundai Equus is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2011 to 2016 across multiple generations.
How to read a Hyundai Equus VIN — every digit explained
Every Hyundai Equus carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Hyundai and the country it was built in (real Hyundai codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Equus.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- South KoreaKM8 · KMF · KMH · KMT · KMU · KPH
- USA5NM · 5NP · 5NT · U5Y
- SingaporePFD
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Equus, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Hyundai Equus have?
The Hyundai Equus has 7 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2011–2016. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2015 Hyundai Equus recalls 1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
What's wrong. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
2014 Hyundai Equus recalls 1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
What's wrong. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
2013 Hyundai Equus recalls 1
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
What's wrong. 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.
Fix. 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 recalls 1
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
What's wrong. 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.
Fix. 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.
2011 Hyundai Equus recalls 2
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
What's wrong. 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.
Fix. 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.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
What's wrong. 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.
Fix. 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.
Best and worst years for the Hyundai Equus
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 6 tracked years, the worst years are 2014, 2011, 2013 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2012, 2015, 2016.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Equus | Suspension | Avoid | |
| 2012 Equus | Power Train | Best | |
| 2013 Equus | Service Brakes | Avoid | |
| 2014 Equus | Seats | Avoid | |
| 2015 Equus | Seats | Best | |
| 2016 Equus | Exterior Lighting | Best |
What are the most common Hyundai Equus problems?
The most-reported Hyundai Equus problems are Seats (9 reports), Tires (1 reports) and Engine (8 reports) — out of 96 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Hyundai Equus specifications & dimensions
The 2016 Hyundai Equus measures 203″ long on a 120″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 4,524 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Hyundai Equus window sticker.
| Wheelbase | 120″ (305 cm) |
| Rear track | 64″ |
| Body / trim | Equus 4dr Sedan Signature/ultimate |
| Curb weight | 4,524 lb (2052 kg) |
| Front track | 64″ |
| Overall width | 74″ (189 cm) |
| Overall height | 59″ (149 cm) |
| Overall length | 203″ (516 cm) |
| Weight distribution (front/rear) | 52/48% |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Hyundai Equus cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Equus holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 111 cu ft of passenger volume and 17 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Hyundai Equus tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Hyundai Equus get?
The Hyundai Equus returns up to 18 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $4,300/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2016 Hyundai Equus (5L 8-cyl) gets 18 mpg combined and costs about $4,300/yr to fuel, emitting 502 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 4/10, smog 6/10) — about $10,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Equus | 15 | 23 | $4,300 | 502 | 6/10 | 5L 8-cyl | |
| 2015 Equus | 15 | 23 | $4,300 | 502 | 6/10 | 5L 8-cyl | |
| 2014 Equus | 15 | 23 | $4,300 | 502 | 6/10 | 5L 8-cyl | |
| 2013 Equus | 15 | 23 | $4,300 | 493 | 6/10 | 5L 8-cyl | |
| 2012 Equus | 15 | 23 | $4,300 | 494 | 6/10 | 5L 8-cyl | |
| 2011 Equus | 16 | 24 | $4,300 | 494 | 6/10 | 4.6L 8-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Equus stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Equus's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Hyundai Equus have? Power & range
The Hyundai Equus is offered with 1 powertrain — 5L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 5.0L · 8-cyl | Automatic (S8) | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Hyundai Equus cost to own?
A used Hyundai Equus sells for a median of about $9,995 for a 2014 — most listed between $5,600 and $10,995, from 19 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Equus | $5,600–$10,995 | 11 | |
| 2012 Equus | $1,000–$6,500 | 3 | |
| 2011 Equus | $7,400–$8,500 | 5 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a Equus is worth today, or browse used-market prices across all models.
A Hyundai Equus depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Equus loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $21,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Equus ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Hyundai Equus to insure?
A Hyundai Equus costs about $1,938 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 35% above the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (135, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the Equus's HLDI loss index. See Hyundai insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Hyundai Equus safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Equus yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Hyundai Equus last?
A well-maintained Hyundai Equus typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your Hyundai Equus’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Equus’s VIN free →All Hyundai Equus model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Hyundai Equus — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Equus | 1 recall | — | |
| 2015 Equus | 1 recall | — | |
| 2014 Equus | 1 recall | — | |
| 2013 Equus | 1 recall | — | |
| 2012 Equus | 1 recall | — | |
| 2011 Equus | 2 recalls | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Equus?
By owner-complaint volume, 2014, 2011, 2013 drew the most reports. 2012, 2015, 2016 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Equus have?
7 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2011–2016. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
What MPG does the Equus get?
Up to 18 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Equus last?
A well-maintained Equus typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Equus reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Equus is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Hyundai Equus warranty?
New Hyundai models carry a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 10 years / 100,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Hyundai dealer.
Where is the Hyundai Equus made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Equus's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Hyundai may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a Equus weigh?
The Equus's curb weight is around 4,524 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the Equus have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.