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Hyundai Equus VIN Check

NHTSA holds 94 owner complaints on the Hyundai Equus from 45 production runs; the worst run has 6, the typical one 2.1.

NHTSA complaint records · 94 complaints · 45 runs · 2011–2016 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported Equus run is KMHGH4JF7BU (2011 builds) with 6 complaints, 2.9× the typical run. Suspension problems make up 26% of reports; 2014 is the worst model year at 2.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for Equus model years 2011–2015.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Hyundai Equus has 45 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 24% of every Equus complaint on file.

FIG.01·Hyundai Equus — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
KMHGH4JF7BU••••••20116——
KMHGH4JHXEU••••••20145——
KMHGH4JF1BU••••••20114——
KMHGH4JH4FU••••••20154——
KMHGH4JH0EU••••••20144——
KMHGH4JH1EU••••••20144——
KMHGH4JF3BU••••••20113——
KMHGH4JF0BU••••••201132—
KMHGH4JH2EU••••••20143——
KMHGH4JH4EU••••••20143——
KMHGH4JH3EU••••••20143——
KMHGH4JH5EU••••••20143——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 33 Equus runs has 3 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 11 Equus VINs so far, most often 2014, 2016, 2015 builds; 2 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Hyundai Equus the gap between build years is 2.1×: a 2014 car draws 2.7 complaints per run, a 2013 one 1.3.

FIG.02·Hyundai Equus — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20161.895—
20151.895—
20142.73513—
20131.31081
20121.6851
20112.62392
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2014 at 2.7 complaints per run; lightest is 2013 at 1.3.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 26% of everything Hyundai Equus owners report: Suspension, 24 of 94 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Hyundai Equus — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Suspension242—
Service Brakes16——
Electrical System13——
Exterior Lighting9——
Unknown Or Other8——
Engine8——
Power Train8——
Seats8——
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 3 recall campaigns on the Hyundai Equus; the 3 below cover build years 2011 to 2015. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Hyundai Equus — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
16V117000Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor2011–2013
23V651000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module2014–2015
14V713000Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch2011
ROWS 3·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

16V117000 was opened in 2016 on cars built from 2011: 5 years on the road before the recall.

The Equus against its rivals

The Equus draws 2.1 complaints per production run; the Lincoln MKS 2.2. That is the lowest rate of the 2.

FIG.05·Hyundai Equus VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Hyundai Equus94452.14.3%
Lincoln MKS3411562.26.5%
ROWS 2·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 94 reports on the Hyundai Equus, 4.3% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Hyundai Equus — complaint severity
OutcomeHyundai EquusAll vehicles
Complaints filed941,116,631
Involved a crash4 (4.3%)64,221 (5.8%)
Involved a fire0 (0%)26,977 (2.4%)
Injuries reported558,047
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Hyundai Equus share of that is 94 complaints over 45 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.

Everything on the Hyundai Equus
Recalls7 campaignsFuel economy18 mpg bestReliability4.0/5Common problems97 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsCargo space17 cu ftUsed prices77 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2011–2016

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Hyundai Equus VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 94 NHTSA complaints from 45 Equus runs and 3 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which Equus production run has the most complaints?

KMHGH4JF7BU, a 2011 build, with 6 complaints. The typical Equus run has 2.1.

Which Equus years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2014 is heaviest at 2.7 complaints per run and 2013 lightest at 1.3.

Does the Equus get more complaints than the Lincoln MKS?

No: 2.1 complaints per production run for the Equus against 2.2 for the Lincoln MKS.

How many Equus complaints involve a crash?

4.3% of 94 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 0 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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