HYUNDAI EQUUS · model year

2011 HYUNDAI EQUUS

33 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011HYUNDAIEQUUS carries 33 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 1 fire, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 EQUUS is suspension with 11 filings, followed by service brakes (6) and electrical system (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 37 investigation files overlapping the 2011 EQUUS, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

33
Complaints
5
Crashes
1
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

33 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SUSPENSION11
SERVICE BRAKES6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
WHEELS3
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS1
STEERING1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
AIR BAGS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)1
ENGINE1

Recalls (2)

16V11700029/02/2016

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 corros

14V71300007/11/2014

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

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 ill

Recent Complaints

20251015SUSPENSION

Airbag suspension bags keep unable

20250502SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Equus. The contact stated that the front shocks were previously replaced under an unknown recall. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced rear suspension failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the rear springs were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, where the rear springs were replaced a second time; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that while driving on an uneven road surface, the vehicle was bouncing, and felt like the wheels were rubbing the front and rear wheel wells. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Mileage: 30,000

20250415ENGINE

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Equus. The contact stated there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the rod bearings had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

20220504ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Equus. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled however, the driver was able to pull to the side of the road where the vehicle lost motive and was unable to be restarted. The contact stated that he was unaware of any warning lights being illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who advised that they would attempt to restart the electronic computer module (ECM). The repair was successful however, the contact stated that the independent mechanic advised him that the failure could recur and that the vehicle should be taken to the dealer. The contact stated that the failure recurred without warning. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer. The failure was diagnosed that the ECM had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The ECM was replaced by a module from another vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer since July of 2021 as the replacement part was on

Mileage: 50,000

20220131SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Equus. The contact stated that on multiple occasions, the front end of the vehicle would lower to the ground without warning. Each time the failure occurred, the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer where it was repaired; however, the failure would return soon after repair. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

20210918AIR BAGS

Clock spring malfunction.

20200310SERVICE BRAKES

THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALMOST TO THE FLOOR WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. I DO NOT HAVE MUCH BRAKING AND I HAVE CHANGED THE BRAKE PADS (FRONT/REAR) AND BLED THE BRAKES AND IT DID NOT HELP. I HAVE READ THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE HYDRAULIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (HECU) AND THE PART IS COVERED UNDER RECALL FOR THE 2011 HYUNDAI GENESIS (RECALL 13V489000). SINCE IT IS THE SAME PART THAT IS USED ON THE 2011 GENESIS, DOES THE RECALL COVER THE EQUUS WHICH IS THE SAME CAR.

Mileage: 106,800

20191109ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MALFUNCTION OF SUSPENSION AND NO DEALERSHIP CAN RESET. WE BEEN TO MERIDIAN AND HATTIESBURG DEALERSHIP AND EITHER THE EQUIPMENT WAS NOT WORKING OR HAVE THE PROPER TOOLS TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. ALWAYS TRIED TO SELL US ANOTHER VEHICLE. YOU

Mileage: 30

20191109SUSPENSION

MALFUNCTION OF SUSPENSION AND NO DEALERSHIP CAN RESET. WE BEEN TO MERIDIAN AND HATTIESBURG DEALERSHIP AND EITHER THE EQUIPMENT WAS NOT WORKING OR HAVE THE PROPER TOOLS TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. ALWAYS TRIED TO SELL US ANOTHER VEHICLE. YOU

Mileage: 30

20191109UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MALFUNCTION OF SUSPENSION AND NO DEALERSHIP CAN RESET. WE BEEN TO MERIDIAN AND HATTIESBURG DEALERSHIP AND EITHER THE EQUIPMENT WAS NOT WORKING OR HAVE THE PROPER TOOLS TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. ALWAYS TRIED TO SELL US ANOTHER VEHICLE. YOU

Mileage: 30

20190329SUSPENSION

SIMILAR COMPLAINT AS NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11058378. THE FRONT END DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND THE ESC INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. NOTED THAT THE FRONT AIR-STRUTS WERE TO BE REPLACED. REPLACED THEM IN OCTOBER 2018. HOWEVER IN MARCH 2019, THE TOTAL CAR HAS DROPPED LOWER THAN EARLIER. THIS WHILE SITTING. TRIED TO RESTART CAR TO SEE IF ALL SYSTEMS WOULD RESET, BUT TO NO AVAIL. TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AROUND.

20190215SERVICE BRAKES

CAR BRAKES FAILED TO SLOW CAR IN EMERGENCY TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY, BRAKES WERE WORKING FINE THEN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOD AND ALMOST HIT THE CAR AHEAD. REAR BRAKES WERE NEW, REPLACED FRONT PADS, BUT BRAKE PEDAL STILL GOES TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR GENESIS HCU , WHICH HAS THE SAME PART AS THIS CAR, THE COST OF REPAIR IS $3000. THE CAR HAS 39000 MILES , I BELIEVE THE CAR HAS A DEFECTIVE HCU, SIMILAR TO THE SISTER CAR THE GENISIS WHICH WAS RECALLED. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, THE REPAIR COST IS ENORMOUS AND FORCES PEOPLE TO KEEP DRIVING WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES. DRIVING WITHOUT NEEDING TO STOP SUDDENLY THE CAR WORKS FINE. ONLY WHEN TRAFFIC STOPS SUDDENLY DO YOU NOTICE THE NEED TO PUT THE FOOT TO THE FLOOR , AND IT TAKES 100 EXTRA FEET TO STOP. THIS IS AFTER REPLACING ALL PADS AND HAVING THE SYSTEM CHECKED. AT THE BRAKE SHOP. I DRIVE LESS THAN 500 MILES A MONTH AND HAVE HAD 2 NEAR ACCIDENTS.

Mileage: 39,000

20180103SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI EQUUS. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE FRONT END FRAME DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND THE STABILITY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HOMER SKELTON HYUNDAI (8145 CRAFT RD, OLIVE BRANCH, MS 38654) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BARNES CROSSING HYUNDAI (3988 NORTH GLOSTER ST, TUPELO, MS 38804) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

Mileage: 165,000

20170224STEERING

I HAVE 2011 HYUNDAI EQUSS THAT STARTED HAVING VSM ISSUE THAT WOULD KEEP SMART CRUISE FROM WORKING>IT WAS RESOLVED TO BE A BRAKE SWITCH!>DURING THE TRIPS TO (2) DIFFERENT HYUNDAI EQUSS DEALERSHIPS FIRST IN LEXINGTON@ GLENN'S HYUNDAI & FINALLY AFTER ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED FRIENDSHIP HYUNDAI, IT WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE CASTER AND CAMBER ISSUE ON RIGHT FRONT WHEEL>I HAS THE FRIENDSHIP DEALERSHIP DO A (4) WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND ALL TOE IN CAME GOOD AND STEER AHEAD.THE REMAINING ISSUE WAS RIGHT FRONT STILL WAS QUITE A BIT OUT IN UPPER RED ON BOTH CASTER AND CAMBER.I WAS TOLD TO TAKE TO FRAME SHOP AND I DID,THEY COULD FIND NO WRONG MEASUREMENTS AND THEY ARE REGIONAL MULTI LINE CAR REPAIR FACILITY THAT DOES ALL MAJOR INSURANCE COMPANY BODY & FRAME ISSUES,THE ENGINE AND BOTH FRONT STRUTS WERE REPLACED DURING IT'S 100600 MILE LIFE BUT AFTER CONTACTING THE HYUNDAI EQUUS CUSTOMER CARE THEY REFERRED M BACK TO DEALER AND HE TOLD ME HELP DESK GIVES NO ANSWERS???HOW DO I RESOLVE AND WHY HAVE THEY NOT MADE

Mileage: 100,260

20170224SUSPENSION

I HAVE 2011 HYUNDAI EQUSS THAT STARTED HAVING VSM ISSUE THAT WOULD KEEP SMART CRUISE FROM WORKING>IT WAS RESOLVED TO BE A BRAKE SWITCH!>DURING THE TRIPS TO (2) DIFFERENT HYUNDAI EQUSS DEALERSHIPS FIRST IN LEXINGTON@ GLENN'S HYUNDAI & FINALLY AFTER ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED FRIENDSHIP HYUNDAI, IT WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE CASTER AND CAMBER ISSUE ON RIGHT FRONT WHEEL>I HAS THE FRIENDSHIP DEALERSHIP DO A (4) WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND ALL TOE IN CAME GOOD AND STEER AHEAD.THE REMAINING ISSUE WAS RIGHT FRONT STILL WAS QUITE A BIT OUT IN UPPER RED ON BOTH CASTER AND CAMBER.I WAS TOLD TO TAKE TO FRAME SHOP AND I DID,THEY COULD FIND NO WRONG MEASUREMENTS AND THEY ARE REGIONAL MULTI LINE CAR REPAIR FACILITY THAT DOES ALL MAJOR INSURANCE COMPANY BODY & FRAME ISSUES,THE ENGINE AND BOTH FRONT STRUTS WERE REPLACED DURING IT'S 100600 MILE LIFE BUT AFTER CONTACTING THE HYUNDAI EQUUS CUSTOMER CARE THEY REFERRED M BACK TO DEALER AND HE TOLD ME HELP DESK GIVES NO ANSWERS???HOW DO I RESOLVE AND WHY HAVE THEY NOT MADE

Mileage: 100,260

20161214SUSPENSION

AFTER SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS TO FIND A SERVICE CENTER OR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO ADJUST MY ALIGNMENT, I FELT IT WAS NECESSARY TO FILE A COMPLAINT REGARDING MY CONCERNS ABOUT MY VEHICLE'S FRONT TIRE ALIGNMENT. MY MOST RECENT EXPERIENCE OCCURRED ON DECEMBER 14, 2016 AFTER GETTING A NEW SET OF TIRES FOR MY CAR. INCLUDED IN THE TIRE FITTING SERVICE WAS A WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK AND ADJUSTMENT. HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE ENCOUNTERED ISSUES WITH A SERVICE CENTER SAYING THEY ARE UNABLE TO ADJUST MY FRONT CAMBER AND CASTOR ADJUSTMENTS BECAUSE THE "MANUFACTURER DOES NOT SPECIFY" WHAT THESE ALIGNMENTS SHOULD BE. PERHAPS THE STRANGEST PART ABOUT THIS IS THE FACT THAT THERE ARE SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE REAR WHEELS. I HAVE EVEN CONTACTED SEVERAL HYUNDAI AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIPS HERE IN INDIANAPOLIS AND THEY TOO INDICATE THEY ARE UNABLE TO MAKE THE PROPER ADJUSTMENTS. MY LAST RESORT WAS TO CONTACT HYUNDAI USA TECHNICAL SERVICE TO SEE IF THEY COULD OFFER ADVICE AND THEY'RE ONLY FEEDBACK

Mileage: 89,019

20161214WHEELS

AFTER SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS TO FIND A SERVICE CENTER OR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO ADJUST MY ALIGNMENT, I FELT IT WAS NECESSARY TO FILE A COMPLAINT REGARDING MY CONCERNS ABOUT MY VEHICLE'S FRONT TIRE ALIGNMENT. MY MOST RECENT EXPERIENCE OCCURRED ON DECEMBER 14, 2016 AFTER GETTING A NEW SET OF TIRES FOR MY CAR. INCLUDED IN THE TIRE FITTING SERVICE WAS A WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK AND ADJUSTMENT. HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE ENCOUNTERED ISSUES WITH A SERVICE CENTER SAYING THEY ARE UNABLE TO ADJUST MY FRONT CAMBER AND CASTOR ADJUSTMENTS BECAUSE THE "MANUFACTURER DOES NOT SPECIFY" WHAT THESE ALIGNMENTS SHOULD BE. PERHAPS THE STRANGEST PART ABOUT THIS IS THE FACT THAT THERE ARE SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE REAR WHEELS. I HAVE EVEN CONTACTED SEVERAL HYUNDAI AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIPS HERE IN INDIANAPOLIS AND THEY TOO INDICATE THEY ARE UNABLE TO MAKE THE PROPER ADJUSTMENTS. MY LAST RESORT WAS TO CONTACT HYUNDAI USA TECHNICAL SERVICE TO SEE IF THEY COULD OFFER ADVICE AND THEY'RE ONLY FEEDBACK

Mileage: 89,019

20161031SERVICE BRAKES

THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL IS VERY LONG. I MUST BEGIN THE STOPPING PROCESS MUCH EARLIER THAN PREVIOUS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED A FAILED HECU. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY A FEW MILES AND ONE MONTH OUT OF WARRANTY. HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA HAD AN INSPECTION CAMPAIGN FOR GENESIS HECU UNITS, BUT NOT EQUUS. HOW CAN THE HECU BE PROPERLY INSPECTED WITHOUT DISASSEMBLING THE UNIT? HYUNDAI SHOULD REPLACE THE FAILED HECU.

Mileage: 69,000

20160808SERVICE BRAKES

WHEN APPLYING CAR BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE. IF I TURN ON CAR HEAD LIGHTS THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE. BUT IF THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE OFF THEY DON'T WORK.

Mileage: 92,000

20160808EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN APPLYING CAR BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE. IF I TURN ON CAR HEAD LIGHTS THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE. BUT IF THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE OFF THEY DON'T WORK.

Mileage: 92,000

Compare 2011HYUNDAIEQUUS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 HYUNDAI EQUUS have?
The 2011 HYUNDAI EQUUS has 33 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 HYUNDAI EQUUS?
The 2011 HYUNDAI EQUUS received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 HYUNDAI EQUUS?
Yes, the 2011 HYUNDAI EQUUS has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 HYUNDAI EQUUS?
The most-complained component for the 2011 HYUNDAI EQUUS is SUSPENSION with 11 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2011 HYUNDAI EQUUS safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2011 HYUNDAI EQUUS has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.