The Hyundai Equus Years To Avoid
Hyundai Equus by Damian B Oh - CC-BY-SA-4.0
Few car manufacturers have a better tale of redemption and turnaround than Hyundai. In its early years, Hyundai focused on producing affordable, reliable vehicles for the masses. However, the brand was often associated with budget-friendly cars and was dismissed as a maker of “cheap imports.” Fast forward to today, Hyundai is recognized as one of the leading car manufacturers that offers a diverse range of popular vehicles, including the Palisade, IONIQ, and Tucson.
With that said, most people don’t realize that Hyundai also once dipped its toes into making flagship luxury sedans. Enter the Hyundai Equus.
The Hyundai Equus, first introduced to the U.S. markets in 2011, was a bold move by Hyundai into the luxury car segment. This full-size, rear-wheel-drive sedan was designed to compete with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, and Lexus LS, but at a significantly lower price point.
If you’re looking to buy a used Hyundai Equus, remember that not all models have good reliability. So for today’s buyers’ guide, we walk you through the Hyundai Equus years to avoid and which ones you can safely buy as used.
Which Hyundai Equus Years To Avoid?
While the Hyundai Equus has many good things going for it, certain model years have been plagued by issues that can impact the vehicle’s reliability and overall performance. Keep an eye out for these Hyundai Equus years to avoid:
- 2011 Hyundai Equus
- 2012 Hyundai Equus
- 2014 Hyundai Equus
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2011 Hyundai Equus
As we always say here at CoPilot, we typically advise buyers to steer clear of the first production years. Debut models tend to be problematic with various reliability woes, and many issues won’t be apparent until the masses get behind the wheel. That’s certainly true for the 2011 Equus.
CarComplaints.com documented 40 complaints, two recalls, and 70+ service bulletins for the 2011 Equus. The website received complaints involving various issues, including engine, suspension, brake, and problems with lights and seat belts/airbags.
The suspension issues, in particular, coincides with many frustrated owners claiming their vehicle rides very rough. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received 21 complaints about this model, and almost half of the grievances were about the suspension.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE HYUNDAI EQUUS
we’ll take a look at the most reliable Hyundai Equus year and other models. In addition, we’ll go over some of the least reliable used Hyundai Equuses.
One complainant claimed the car’s front suspension unexpectedly failed. This led to the front of the car sinking, causing the car’s body to come alarmingly close to the ground on flat roads and even scrape against the ground on hilly terrain. In addition, the wheels were making contact with the car’s body when turning, which resulted in considerable shaking and loss of stability.
Another area of concern is the Equus brakes, where the pedal goes all the way to the floor when applied. Some people reported outright brake failure. Having cited these issues, we recommend skipping the 2011 Equus.
2012 Hyundai Equus
Frankly, we hesitated to include the 2012 model in this list of the worst Hyundai Equus years to avoid. After all, the 2012 Equus has far fewer complaints and known issues compared to the debut model. However, many of you likely want to buy a used luxury sedan that’s relatively problem-free, and the 2012 model year certainly has a couple of notable issues.
According to CarComplaints, the 2012 Hyundai Equus has received 15 complaints and one recall. One user reported that their Equus’ struts failed and caused the vehicle to sag to the ground like a low-rider. The frustrated further added that they had to spend almost $7k in repairs just to fix the issue. However, this is just a single report from one owner, so it’s not a prevalent issue.
Another complaint about the 2012 Equus was regarding its leather dashboard. Apparently, the leather dashboard of the car is quite prone to warping, peeling, or separating, often due to heat and sun exposure. It’s not a deal-breaking issue, but it’s very annoying, especially when you’re paying good money for a luxury vehicle.
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2014 Hyundai Equus
The 2014 model is one of the worst Hyundai Equus years to avoid due to numerous complaints and reliability woes. CarComplaints has logged over 40 complaints for this model, and the problematic dashboard issue has reared its ugly head once again.
A distraught owner wrote that at the 48,000-mile mark, the leather covering on the dashboard of their car began to detach from its base. After consulting with the dealership, they were informed that the leather covering on the dashboard had contracted and could potentially continue to do so. The repair cost is a whopping $4,500 because they need to remove both the front windshield and the dashboard.
Meanwhile, the 2014 Equus also received 19 complaints on the NHTSA website. The categories with the most complaints include the electrical systems, exterior lighting, seats, and suspension. One owner claimed that their vehicle inadvertently lowered while driving, causing them to lose control of the car. Again, this issue was traced to a faulty rear strut assembly.
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Which Hyundai Equus Years To Buy?
Below are some of the most reliable Equus years you can safely buy as used.
2013 Hyundai Equus
The 2013 Hyundai Equus is the oldest model we can recommend for used car buyers. CarComplaints has listed only 17 complaints and one recall for this particular model. Meanwhile, the NHTSA has documented eight complaints and one recall for the 2013 Equus. There were still reports of suspension-related issues, but they’re just a handful of complaints – not something we would call widespread.
The 2013 Equus was also generally well-received by critics and drivers alike. Edmunds consumer reviews give the 2013 Equus an average rating of 4.0 out of 5, indicating a generally positive response from owners. In addition, Cars.com reviews show an impressive rating of 4.7 out of 5.0, with 86% of drivers recommending the car.
2016 Hyundai Equus
The last year of the Equus before it was discontinued is a solid choice for used car buyers because it’s quite problem-free and has demonstrated good reliability over the years. Edmunds provided an in-depth review of the 2016 Equus, and its consumer reviews show a high satisfaction rate, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5. Also, Cars.com reviews show an even higher average rating of 4.7 out of 5, with an 85% user approval rate. The car scores particularly high in comfort, interior design, and performance.
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