The 2014 draws 2.69 complaints per run and the 2013 1.25, a 2.2-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 7 years of age, so 68.1% land after the 5-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Suspension, with 24 complaints, typically at 6 years.
Hyundai Equus years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 9 | 5 | yes | |
| 2015 | 9 | 5 | yes | |
| 2014 | 35 | 13 | yes | |
| 2013 | 10 | 8 | yes | |
| 2012 | 8 | 5 | yes | |
| 2011 | 23 | 9 | yes |
Among the 6 Hyundai Equus years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2014, 2011, 2015; the three worth hunting are 2013, 2012, 2016.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 3.2% | covered | |
| 1 year | 11.7% | covered | |
| 2 years | 19.1% | covered | |
| 3 years | 26.6% | covered | |
| 4 years | 31.9% | covered | |
| 5 years | 43.6% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 46.8% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 54.3% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 68.1% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 78.7% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 88.3% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 94.7% | you pay | |
| 14 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 5 years / 60,000 miles. Only 31.9% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 68.1% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (10 years / 100,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 17% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
What waits further out is Suspension at 6 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 6 yrs | 2 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 7.6 yrs | — | — | |
| Electrical System | 6.8 yrs | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting | 7.1 yrs | — | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 7.6 yrs | — | — | |
| Engine | 9.5 yrs | — | — | |
| Power Train | 8.1 yrs | — | — | |
| Seats | 6.6 yrs | — | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the Equus's vehicle class. Per production run, the Dodge Charger draws 4.56, the Chrysler 300 4.11 and the Kia K5 3.08, against 2.09 for the Equus. That is the fewest complaints of the group.
| Same class as the Equus | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Charger | 133 | 1983–2026 | |
| Chrysler 300 | 86 | 1999–2026 | |
| Kia K5 | 21 | 2021–2026 | |
| Hyundai Sonata | 152 | 1989–2026 | |
| Chevrolet Impala | 98 | 1981–2026 | |
| Lincoln Continental | 80 | 1981–2026 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Hyundai Equus reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 2.09 against 3.73 for the average car, and fewer than each of the 3 class rivals we compared.
Which Equus years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2014, 2011, 2015. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2013, 2012, 2016. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do Equus problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 7 years of age. The most reported system is Suspension, typically at 6 years, followed by Service Brakes.
Will the warranty cover Equus problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 5 years / 60,000 miles, and only 31.9% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 17% of the complaints here.
Is the Equus more reliable than the Dodge Charger?
Yes: 2.09 complaints per production run for the Equus against 4.56 for the Dodge Charger.
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