Avoid: 2011 (lowest Year Scores on complaints per year on the road, crash reports and recalls)
Best: 2012
3 model years of NHTSA owner complaints and recalls · How we grade
Across 3 model years, the Hyundai Equus has 42 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are suspension and service brakes. 2011 drew the most complaints (24), 2012 the fewest (8).
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for Hyundai Equus vehicles (US, public record). Typical used asking price $10,065–$14,898.
Complaint volume by model year. Raw NHTSA totals, not adjusted for sales volume or time on the road, so older and higher-selling years accumulate more. Every year links to its full breakdown.
Highest: 2011 (24 complaints). Lowest: 2012 (8).
Sentiment is strongly positive regarding the vehicle's core value proposition, reliability of its V8 powertrain, and luxury feature content, but is tempered by significant concerns about parts availability, repair complexity, and specific high-cost failure points.
Struts/springs leak air, leading to complete failure; repair is very costly; conversion to coil-overs is a common owner solution.
Parts are "virtually impossible" to find for purchase in the US or Korea; repairs require "Equus certified" technicians; general maintenance and repair costs are significantly higher than average.
Described as "almost impossible to work on" for owners/independent shops, leading to mandatory dealership visits for most issues.
Isolated reports of alternator failure.
Isolated reports of faulty ABS sensors or control units, with repairs quoted over $4,000.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Equus. Individual model years are broken down above.
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