HYUNDAI EQUUS · model year

2013 HYUNDAI EQUUS

16 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2013HYUNDAIEQUUS carries 16 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 1 injury, 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 2013 EQUUS is suspension with 2 filings, followed by power train (2) and electronic stability control (esc) (2). 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 1 active recall campaign, 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 2013 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.

16
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

16 filings

Crashes Reported

1 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
SUSPENSION2
POWER TRAIN2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
SERVICE BRAKES2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY1
WHEELS1
AIR BAGS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
STEERING1

Recalls (1)

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

Recent Complaints

20240506ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Tilt/telescopic functions just stopped working. Replaced switch, and module and still not working. Dealer now wants $10k for a new dash wiring harnesses. Found TSB for similar issue on sister vehicle (Genesis). Not sure if that needs to be expanded to this vehicle.

20240506STEERING

Tilt/telescopic functions just stopped working. Replaced switch, and module and still not working. Dealer now wants $10k for a new dash wiring harnesses. Found TSB for similar issue on sister vehicle (Genesis). Not sure if that needs to be expanded to this vehicle.

20240405SERVICE BRAKES

ABS light is on and diagnosed needs replaced shortly after purchased the car November 2022, and is ongoing and currently an issue 4/5/24. The original ABS began to go out, would have to pump the brakes to stop and would not always catch. I have concerns this would be closely related to your current recall and believe the 2013 Equus be considered for inclusion in this risk. [XXX] recalls?nhtsaId=23V651000 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20230127SERVICE BRAKES

When I press my brakes sometime I have to pump the pedal.

20210304CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 HYUNDAI EQUUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STOP, A UNKNOWN TOYOTA CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE SPLEEN AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW LOT. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS.*DT*DT*JB*JB

Mileage: 99,000

20180817SUSPENSION

I WAS DRIVING ON I-85 S FROM NORTH CAROLINA WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR STARTS TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS DRAGGING. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE FOR A FEW MORE EXITS TO SEE IF IT WOULD STOP. I GOT OFF AFTER FOUR EXITS, TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND CHECKED THE TIRES. NOTHING APPEARED WRONG. I WAITED SEVERAL MINUTES AND I STILL COULD NOT DETERMINE A PROBLEM SO, I RETURNED TO I-85 S. THE PROBLEM HAD STOPPED. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THE PROBLEM RETURNED. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN SUDDENLY THE DRAGGING FEEL BEGAN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD TO RETURN WHEN/IF THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR IN THE CITY BUT PERIODICALLY IT WOULD FEEL LOPSIDED AND IT WOULD DRAG. ONCE I TURNED THE CAR OFF, IT WOULD RESET ITSELF AND STOP DRAGGING AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES WHICH TURNED INTO SEVERAL HOURS. ONE DAY, IT FELT SO LOPSIDED, I GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT IT AGAIN. THIS TIME, I NOTICED THE BACK WAS ALMOST SITTING ON THE TIRE. I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHI

Mileage: 100,000

20160201VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR I HAVE EXPERIENCED HESITATION AT TIMES WHEN I STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR. THE CAR DOESN'T RESPOND FOR 1-2 SECONDS AND I HAVE TO HIT THE ACCELERATOR VERY HARD TO MAKE IT CATCH AND MOVE FORWARD. IT IS INTERMITTENT BUT WHEN I AM TRYING TO GET INTO TRAFFIC IT IS VERY SCARY. I HAVE COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES BUT HAVE RECEIVED NO CORRECTIVE ACTION AND THE CAR CONTINUES TO HESITATE.

20150926WHEELS

.WE HAVE HAD 3 BLOWOUTS ,ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS.THE TIRES ARE CONTINENTAL ,275/40/19.THE FIRST ONE WAS IN,NEW JERSEY,DRIVING AT APPROX 35-40MPH,APPROX WITH10K WEAR ONTHE TIRE.TIRE WAS REPLACED AT BRAD BENSON RTE 1,NJ.THE SECOND BLOWOUT WAS IN MAY 2015 WITH ABOUT 20K ONTHE TIRE IN MIAMI,FL,SPEED 35MPH..TIRE WAS RELACED AT DEL RAY HYUNDAI RTE 1FL.THE THIRD BLOWOUT WAS IN MARYLAND ON I95 ,SEPT 18,2015,WITH 23K WEAR ON THE TIRE.APPROX SPEED 70-75MPH.TIRE WAS REPLACED,AT BEL AIR HYUNDAI MD.THE MGR MALCOLM DUNCAN,TEL.NO.410-838-0222 AT BEL AIR HAS TAKEN PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGE TO THE TIRE.HE WOULD WELCOME AN INQUIRYAS TO WHY THIS TIRE FAILED.IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE TIRE THEY HAD TO CUT THE TIRE BY HAND OFF THE WHEEL.ON EACH OCCASION WE DID NOT HIT ANY DEBRIS.I HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI,EQUUS,ON EACH OCCASION, ABOUT THESE INCIDENTS ,SO THAT THEY MIGHT RECONSIDER USING THESE TIRES ON THEIR CARS.I I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED CONTINENTAL TIRE ,INFORMING THEM OF THE INCIDENTS.I WAS MET BY TOTAL COMPLAC

Mileage: 10,000

20150320EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

I WOULD LIKE THIS EMAIL FORWARDED TO THE CEO OF HYUNDAI USA OR WHO EVER CAN HELP A CUSTOMER WHO HAS PURCHASED AN EQUUS. I REFUSE TO SPEAK WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE AS THEY ARE TOTALLY USELESS AND DON'T UNDERSTAND MY CONCERNS. MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE KEIFFER HYUNDAI SHOP FOR NOW GOING ON 5 MONTHS. TO THIS DAY YOU HAVE SPENT OVER $30,000.00 ON PARTS AND LABOR ON MY CAR AND YET TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING ON. MY QUESTIONS IS - ARE YOU USING MY CAR AS A TEST BED IF SO THEN WHY AM I PAYING $575.00 PER MONTH LOAN ON MY CAR WHEN YOU SHOULD BE DOING THAT. THE SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER IS ALSO VERY FRUSTRATED IN HOW YOU ARE HANDLING THIS. IF I GOT AN EQUUS TO DRIVE WHILE YOU ARE FIXING MINE THEN I WOULD NOT BE COMPLAINING - BUT I HAVE HAD EVERYTHING EXCEPT THAT - ELANTRA AND SANTA FE. I HAVE ASKED YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE PEOPLE TO HELP BUY BACK MY CAR AND THEY REFUSE. I HAVE ASKED TO EXCHANGED MY CAR AND THEY ALSO REFUSED. WHAT IS NEXT??? WHEN WILL I GET MY CAR BACK??? HOW LONG IS TOO LONG WHEN IT COMES

Mileage: 12,000

20150320ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I WOULD LIKE THIS EMAIL FORWARDED TO THE CEO OF HYUNDAI USA OR WHO EVER CAN HELP A CUSTOMER WHO HAS PURCHASED AN EQUUS. I REFUSE TO SPEAK WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE AS THEY ARE TOTALLY USELESS AND DON'T UNDERSTAND MY CONCERNS. MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE KEIFFER HYUNDAI SHOP FOR NOW GOING ON 5 MONTHS. TO THIS DAY YOU HAVE SPENT OVER $30,000.00 ON PARTS AND LABOR ON MY CAR AND YET TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING ON. MY QUESTIONS IS - ARE YOU USING MY CAR AS A TEST BED IF SO THEN WHY AM I PAYING $575.00 PER MONTH LOAN ON MY CAR WHEN YOU SHOULD BE DOING THAT. THE SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER IS ALSO VERY FRUSTRATED IN HOW YOU ARE HANDLING THIS. IF I GOT AN EQUUS TO DRIVE WHILE YOU ARE FIXING MINE THEN I WOULD NOT BE COMPLAINING - BUT I HAVE HAD EVERYTHING EXCEPT THAT - ELANTRA AND SANTA FE. I HAVE ASKED YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE PEOPLE TO HELP BUY BACK MY CAR AND THEY REFUSE. I HAVE ASKED TO EXCHANGED MY CAR AND THEY ALSO REFUSED. WHAT IS NEXT??? WHEN WILL I GET MY CAR BACK??? HOW LONG IS TOO LONG WHEN IT COMES

Mileage: 12,000

20150320VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WOULD LIKE THIS EMAIL FORWARDED TO THE CEO OF HYUNDAI USA OR WHO EVER CAN HELP A CUSTOMER WHO HAS PURCHASED AN EQUUS. I REFUSE TO SPEAK WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE AS THEY ARE TOTALLY USELESS AND DON'T UNDERSTAND MY CONCERNS. MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE KEIFFER HYUNDAI SHOP FOR NOW GOING ON 5 MONTHS. TO THIS DAY YOU HAVE SPENT OVER $30,000.00 ON PARTS AND LABOR ON MY CAR AND YET TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING ON. MY QUESTIONS IS - ARE YOU USING MY CAR AS A TEST BED IF SO THEN WHY AM I PAYING $575.00 PER MONTH LOAN ON MY CAR WHEN YOU SHOULD BE DOING THAT. THE SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER IS ALSO VERY FRUSTRATED IN HOW YOU ARE HANDLING THIS. IF I GOT AN EQUUS TO DRIVE WHILE YOU ARE FIXING MINE THEN I WOULD NOT BE COMPLAINING - BUT I HAVE HAD EVERYTHING EXCEPT THAT - ELANTRA AND SANTA FE. I HAVE ASKED YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE PEOPLE TO HELP BUY BACK MY CAR AND THEY REFUSE. I HAVE ASKED TO EXCHANGED MY CAR AND THEY ALSO REFUSED. WHAT IS NEXT??? WHEN WILL I GET MY CAR BACK??? HOW LONG IS TOO LONG WHEN IT COMES

Mileage: 12,000

20140902POWER TRAIN

CAR UNRESPONSIVE TO INPUTS FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. MULTIPLE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS - VSM OFF, DSC, EPB, PSB, AIRBAG, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS; VEHICLE STILL RUNNING. THE FIRST INSTANCE OCCURRED ON A FREEWAY FEEDER ROAD WHILE GOING 45MPH; CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE TO ANY INPUTS FROM THE ACCELERATOR FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS, SIMPLY ACTING AS IF THERE WERE NO THROTTLE INPUTS. TURNING TO HEAD HOME IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE RESPONDED SIMILARLY WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET; IT BEGAN COASTING AND ANY THROTTLE APPLICATION RESULTED IN NO ACCELERATION. CAR LIMPED HOME AND PARKED FOR DEALERSHIP TOW TRUCK. *TR

Mileage: 15,300

20140902FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CAR UNRESPONSIVE TO INPUTS FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. MULTIPLE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS - VSM OFF, DSC, EPB, PSB, AIRBAG, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS; VEHICLE STILL RUNNING. THE FIRST INSTANCE OCCURRED ON A FREEWAY FEEDER ROAD WHILE GOING 45MPH; CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE TO ANY INPUTS FROM THE ACCELERATOR FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS, SIMPLY ACTING AS IF THERE WERE NO THROTTLE INPUTS. TURNING TO HEAD HOME IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE RESPONDED SIMILARLY WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET; IT BEGAN COASTING AND ANY THROTTLE APPLICATION RESULTED IN NO ACCELERATION. CAR LIMPED HOME AND PARKED FOR DEALERSHIP TOW TRUCK. *TR

Mileage: 15,300

20140902ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

CAR UNRESPONSIVE TO INPUTS FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. MULTIPLE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS - VSM OFF, DSC, EPB, PSB, AIRBAG, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS; VEHICLE STILL RUNNING. THE FIRST INSTANCE OCCURRED ON A FREEWAY FEEDER ROAD WHILE GOING 45MPH; CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE TO ANY INPUTS FROM THE ACCELERATOR FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS, SIMPLY ACTING AS IF THERE WERE NO THROTTLE INPUTS. TURNING TO HEAD HOME IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE RESPONDED SIMILARLY WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET; IT BEGAN COASTING AND ANY THROTTLE APPLICATION RESULTED IN NO ACCELERATION. CAR LIMPED HOME AND PARKED FOR DEALERSHIP TOW TRUCK. *TR

Mileage: 15,300

20131230SUSPENSION

TEST DRIVE BEFORE PURCHASING WAS STOPPED AFTER A 1/4 OF MILE BECAUSE OF HEAVY FRONT END SHAKING. DEALERSHIP CHANGED TIRES SAYING THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. SINCE THEN IT HAS ALSO FIXED FRONT END ALIGNMENT TWICE, CHANGED THE DRIVESHAFT AND TWO REAR AXLES. VEHICLE STILL SHAKES. VEHICLE IS PERILOUS TO DRIVE ON BUMPY SURFACES WHEN DRIVER HAS DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING FRONT END. *TR

Mileage: 18

20131230POWER TRAIN

TEST DRIVE BEFORE PURCHASING WAS STOPPED AFTER A 1/4 OF MILE BECAUSE OF HEAVY FRONT END SHAKING. DEALERSHIP CHANGED TIRES SAYING THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. SINCE THEN IT HAS ALSO FIXED FRONT END ALIGNMENT TWICE, CHANGED THE DRIVESHAFT AND TWO REAR AXLES. VEHICLE STILL SHAKES. VEHICLE IS PERILOUS TO DRIVE ON BUMPY SURFACES WHEN DRIVER HAS DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING FRONT END. *TR

Mileage: 18

Compare 2013HYUNDAIEQUUS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2013 HYUNDAI EQUUS have?
The 2013 HYUNDAI EQUUS has 16 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2013 HYUNDAI EQUUS?
The 2013 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 2013 HYUNDAI EQUUS?
Yes, the 2013 HYUNDAI EQUUS has 1 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 2013 HYUNDAI EQUUS?
The most-complained component for the 2013 HYUNDAI EQUUS is SUSPENSION with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC).
Is the 2013 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 2013 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.