2011 Hyundai Equus problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (7) · Service Brakes (6) · Wheels (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Equus model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:motor 2016-02-29 · campaign 16V117000 · 18,700 vehicles
Defect: 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 corrosion on the wiper motor's circuit board. The corrosion can cause intermittent or total loss of wiper function.
Risk: Inoperative wipers during inclement weather can decrease driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor cover and seal, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 140.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch 2014-11-07 · campaign 14V713000 · 42,925 vehicles
Defect: 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 illuminate.
Risk: A following vehicle may not recognize that the vehicle is slowing or coming to a stop if the stop lamps on the vehicle do not illuminate as expected. There is an increased risk of a rear-end crash as a result.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the stop lamp switch circuit, free of charge. Hyundai issued an interim notification to owners on January 6, 2015. The recall began on March 23, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 125.
Service bulletins (62)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Back Over Prevention: Warnings 2026-10-15 · 26-GI-004H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (pdw) sensor(s) that may trigger various dtcs and display warning messages on the instrument cluster, resulting in the pdw sensor(s) failing to detect nearby objects or triggering multiple false alarms. this condition may be a res
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DL · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn). these inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehi
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DCS · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn), that have been identified in u.s. vehicles following prior
Exterior Lighting 2025-11-06 · 25-BD-012H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (drl), or fog lamp. this tsb illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. lamp assembly replacement is not necessary
Power Train 2024-04-09 · 24-AT-002H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this tsb provides a procedure to diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with incorrect ratio dtc (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on page 2.
Showing the 6 most recent of 62 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-10-15 · Suspension“airbag suspension bags keep unable…”
2025-05-02 · Suspension · 30,000 mi“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 vehi…”
2025-04-15 · Engine · 120,000 mi“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…”
2022-05-04 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm) · 50,000 mi“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 …”
2022-01-31 · Suspension“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 notif…”
2020-03-10 · Service Brakes · 106,800 mi“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…”
2019-11-09 · Unknown Or Other · 30 mi“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…”
2019-03-29 · Suspension“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 res…”
2019-02-15 · Service Brakes · 39,000 mi“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…”
2018-01-03 · Suspension · 165,000 mi“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…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.