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2011 Hyundai Equus Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20261 Critical Recalls
Ethan Miller
2011 Hyundai Equus Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2011 Hyundai Equus has 33 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve suspension and service brakes.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

9.0/ 10

Based on 33 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

SUSPENSION

11 33.3%

SERVICE BRAKES

6 18.2%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 12.1%

WHEELS

3 9.1%

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 3%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is SUSPENSION, accounting for 33.3% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 13 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2011 Hyundai Equus

The 2011 Hyundai Equus has 33 owner complaints in this dataset. SUSPENSION is the most common complaint category, representing about 33% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2011 Hyundai Equus are SUSPENSION (11), SERVICE BRAKES (6), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 26 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2011 Hyundai Equus?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2012 Equus complaints2013 Equus complaints2014 Equus complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 13 of 13 systems

SUSPENSION

11 Reports33% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

THIS WAS THE DATE OF THE FIRST INCIDENT, ANOTHER INCIDENT HAPPENED THREE MONTHS LATER. WE WERE JUST DRIVING ALONG AND THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILED AND THE WHOLE CAR, MOSTLY THE FRONT DROPPED A NUMBER OF INCHES, WE COULD BARELY DRIVE HOME AND HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED, SEEMS TO BE A VERY UNSAFE ITEM. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE, SECOND TIME IT WAS THE DRIVER SIDE.I CONTACTED HYUNDAI, AND WANTED THEM TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE, AS I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OTHER SMALL ISSUES GO WRONG, BUT THIS SUSPENSION PROBLEM FEELS VERY UNSAFE AND ACTUALLY MAKES ME CONCERNED WHEN I DRIVE,THEY REFUSED TO BUY IT BACK. *TR

8/1/2012

WHILE WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR, THE CAR'S FRONT SUSPENSION SUDDENLY FAILED, THE FRONT COLLAPSED AND THE BODY OF THE CAR NEARLY TOUCHED THE GROUND ON FLAT GROUNDS AND DRAGGED AGAINST THE GROUND ON INCLINES AND DECLINES. THE WHEELS RUBBED AGAINST THE BODY OF THE CAR ON TURNS AND THE CAR BECAME VERY UNSTABLE AND STARTED TO SHAKE. THIS EPISODE HAS OCCURRED THRICE DESPITE MANUFACTURER'S REPAIRS. *TR

7/24/2013

9 more complaints are available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

6 Reports18% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

DRIVER BEHIND ME ALERTED THAT MY BRAKES WORKED BUT MY BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. HE INDICATED THE POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON THE NATION'S HIGHWAYS. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE HARNESS DIODE Z06. AGAIN ON 20MAY2014, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THIS TIME, DEALER REPLACED DIODE Z01. THERE WAS NO AUDIBLE OR VISUAL WARNING ON THE DASH ALTHOUGH VEHICLE PERFORMS A "SYSTEM CHECK" AT STARTUP AND WARNS OF MINOR ALERTS LIKE LOW TIRE PRESSURE. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS I AM A RETIRED PERSON AND I MUST DEPEND ON THE SAFETY FEATURES OF MY CAR. TWO LETTERS TO HYUNDAI HQ HAVE NOT PRODUCED RESULTS. INTERNET SEARCHES REVEAL THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED WITH HYUNDAI FOR MANY YEARS. A PERMANENT FIX IN THE FORM OF A RECALL IS REQUIRED. OR, REFUND THE PURCHASE PRICE SO THAT OWNERS CAN BUY A SAFE CAR. ... UPDATED 10/27/14 *BF UPDATED 11/13/14 *BF UPDATED 7/28/2015 *JS *TR

7/26/2014

I WAS DRIVING THE HARD AND I HAD TO COME TO A STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY BRAKES TURNED SPONGY AND I SWERVED TO MISS A CAR. I HAVE HAD THE MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED THINKING THAT WAS THE ISSUE BUT IT WAS STILL SPONGY. I THEN NOTICED THE RECALL ON THE GENESIS AND I CONTACTED HYUNDAI. I ASKED DID THE RECALL AFFECT THE EQUSS SEEING HOW THEY ARE THE SAME PART NUMBERS. THEY TOLD ME NO AND IT DIDN'T FALL UNDER THE WARRANTY EITHER. THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY AROUND $2800 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE SAME PART GOES BAD ON 2 DIFFERENT CARS BUT THE RECALL ISN'T FOR THE EQUUS IN THE SAME YEARS AS THE RECALL ON THE GENESIS.

6/30/2016

4 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 Reports12% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR, IT RANDOMLY OPENS THE TRUNK BY ITSELF WITHOUT PUSHING ANY BUTTON ON THE DASHBOARD OR ON THE REMOTE CONTROL. ONE TIME, I ALMOST DROVE BACK INTO A CAR PASSING BY, BECAUSE MY REAR VIEW WAS BLOCKED BY OPENED TRUNK. I AM AFRAID THAT MY TRUNK MAY OPEN WHILE I AM DRIVING BY ITSELF OR RUN INTO ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE MY VIEW WAS BLOCKED BY THIS TRUNK. I HAVE FOUR VIDEOS OF MY TRUNK BEING OPENED BY ITSELF, BUT HYUNDAI'S DISTRIC PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER IS REFUSING TO FIX MY PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=WQUDGHGOZUG HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=KZCBOX7OINU HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=-ZE2ASPWH_0 HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=EW3DF_VS954. *TR

7/27/2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI EQUUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

2/25/2013

2 more complaints are available in this category.

WHEELS

3 Reports9% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

WHILE WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR, THE CAR'S FRONT SUSPENSION SUDDENLY FAILED, THE FRONT COLLAPSED AND THE BODY OF THE CAR NEARLY TOUCHED THE GROUND ON FLAT GROUNDS AND DRAGGED AGAINST THE GROUND ON INCLINES AND DECLINES. THE WHEELS RUBBED AGAINST THE BODY OF THE CAR ON TURNS AND THE CAR BECAME VERY UNSTABLE AND STARTED TO SHAKE. THIS EPISODE HAS OCCURRED THRICE DESPITE MANUFACTURER'S REPAIRS. *TR

7/24/2013

WHILE WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR, THE CAR'S FRONT SUSPENSION SUDDENLY FAILED, THE FRONT COLLAPSED AND THE BODY OF THE CAR NEARLY TOUCHED THE GROUND ON FLAT GROUNDS AND DRAGGED AGAINST THE GROUND ON INCLINES AND DECLINES. THE WHEELS RUBBED AGAINST THE BODY OF THE CAR ON TURNS AND THE CAR BECAME VERY UNSTABLE AND STARTED TO SHAKE. THIS EPISODE HAS OCCURRED THRICE DESPITE MANUFACTURER'S REPAIRS. THIS SECOND EPISODE RESULTED IN MILD WHIPLASH. *TR

7/24/2013

1 more complaint is available in this category.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR, IT RANDOMLY OPENS THE TRUNK BY ITSELF WITHOUT PUSHING ANY BUTTON ON THE DASHBOARD OR ON THE REMOTE CONTROL. ONE TIME, I ALMOST DROVE BACK INTO A CAR PASSING BY, BECAUSE MY REAR VIEW WAS BLOCKED BY OPENED TRUNK. I AM AFRAID THAT MY TRUNK MAY OPEN WHILE I AM DRIVING BY ITSELF OR RUN INTO ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE MY VIEW WAS BLOCKED BY THIS TRUNK. I HAVE FOUR VIDEOS OF MY TRUNK BEING OPENED BY ITSELF, BUT HYUNDAI'S DISTRIC PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER IS REFUSING TO FIX MY PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=WQUDGHGOZUG HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=KZCBOX7OINU HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=-ZE2ASPWH_0 HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=EW3DF_VS954. *TR

7/27/2012

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

WHILE WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR, THE CAR'S FRONT SUSPENSION SUDDENLY FAILED, THE FRONT COLLAPSED AND THE BODY OF THE CAR NEARLY TOUCHED THE GROUND ON FLAT GROUNDS AND DRAGGED AGAINST THE GROUND ON INCLINES AND DECLINES. THE WHEELS RUBBED AGAINST THE BODY OF THE CAR ON TURNS AND THE CAR BECAME VERY UNSTABLE AND STARTED TO SHAKE. THIS EPISODE HAS OCCURRED THRICE DESPITE MANUFACTURER'S REPAIRS. THIS SECOND EPISODE RESULTED IN MILD WHIPLASH. *TR

7/24/2013

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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.

8/8/2016

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI EQUUS. THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE OPERABLE WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V713000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,400.

8/8/2016

STEERING

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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 A KIT LIKE GENESIS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE??>VERY DISAPPOINTED AND UPSET!

2/24/2017

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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

11/9/2019

AIR BAGS

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Clock spring malfunction.

9/18/2021

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

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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 back order. The contact stated that the dealer informed him that other issues were found with the vehicle and the contact was awaiting a call from the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

5/4/2022

ENGINE

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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.

4/15/2025

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2011 Hyundai Equus?

The most reported complaint category for the 2011 Hyundai Equus is SUSPENSION, with 11 owner reports. That is about 33% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include SUSPENSION, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Are complaints about the 2011 Hyundai Equus a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 26 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2011 Hyundai Equus?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2011 Hyundai Equus severe?

26 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Hyundai Equus: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
33
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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