Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year, against this model's usual year.
2011CAREFULSerious complaints 2.6× usual, mostly suspension and brakes Extended coverage
21 serious complaints of 24, the most about suspension (11) and brakes (6); 2.6× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2011 vehicles. 2 recalls.
What owners report
“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.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the suspension, Jan 2018
“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.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the brakes, Feb 2019
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage The windshield wiper motor may either function intermittently or stop functioning. (5NP-H9U9W, May 2016)
- Extended coverage This bulletin provides the warranty extension and related service parts information for the windshield wiper motor in some genesis sedan (bh) and equus (vi) vehicles. (5NP-U4X6N, May 2016)
- Repair program In certain areas, a vehicleâs underbody may exhibit corrosion due to road-salt usage. (23-01-034H, Apr 2023)
- Repair program Hyundai Motor America is conducting a Service Campaign to install warning labels on the driver's and/or passenger's seat belt assemblies on 2009-14 Model Year Genesis sedan and 2011-16 Equus vehicles. (5NP-E3P6N, Dec 2017)
- Repair program Hyundai Motor America is changing the Genesis sedan applicable model years to 2011-14 for service campaign T2R. (5NP-T5L2W, Jan 2018)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
24 owner complaints · 2 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 18 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2011 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. NHTSA doesn't publish sales, so only big differences count. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
What changed for 2011
First year we have trim data for.
2011 Equus trims
| Signature | Ultimate | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Starting MSRP | $58,000 | $64,500 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 4.6L DOHC Tau V8 | 4.6L DOHC Tau V8 |
| Horsepower | 385 hp | 385 hp |
| Torque | 333 lb-ft | 333 lb-ft |
| Transmission | ZF Electronic 6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC | ZF Electronic 6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Drivetrain | Rwd | Rwd |
| Fuel economy (combined) | 19 mpg | 19 mpg |
| Size and capability | ||
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Trunk | 16.7 cu ft | 16.7 cu ft |
| Length | 203.1 in | 203.1 in |
| Tech | ||
| Touchscreen | 8 in | 8 in |
| Digital gauge cluster | 3.5 in | 3.5 in |
| Audio | Lexicon | Lexicon |
| Speakers | 17 | 17 |
| Driver assistance | ||
| Adaptive cruise control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Lane keeping | Lane Departure Warning | Lane Departure Warning |
| Automatic emergency braking | Forward Collision Warning | Forward Collision Warning |
| 360-degree camera | — | Surround View Camera |
| Parking sensors | Front, Rear | Front, Rear |
| Comfort | ||
| Seats | Leather | Leather |
| Heated seats | Front, Second Row | Front, Second Row |
| Ventilated seats | Front | Front, Second Row |
| Driver seat memory | Driver Seat | Driver Seat |
| Climate zones | 2 | 2 |
| Exterior | ||
| Sunroof | Tilt/Slide Moonroof | Tilt/Slide Moonroof |
| Wheels | 19 in | 19 in |
Packages and options (4)
| Signature | Ultimate | |
|---|---|---|
| Black Noir | Optional | Optional |
| Granite Gray | Optional | Optional |
| Platinum | Optional | Optional |
| White Satin | Optional | Optional |
Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem brochure, Oem press release, Oem press release, Nhtsa vin decode. Still partial for this year: model, trims, powertrain, fuel economy, chassis, dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, warranty, options, vin decode. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; hover for which.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 5.0L 8-cyl | RWD | 18 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 9 | Exterior lighting (2) | — |
| 2015 | 5.0L 8-cyl | RWD | 18 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 9 | Seats (2) | — |
| 2014 | 5.0L 8-cyl | RWD | 18 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 37 | Seats (7) | — |
| 2013 | 5.0L 8-cyl | RWD | 18 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 10 | Service brakes (2) | — |
| 2012 | 5.0L 8-cyl | RWD | 18 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 8 | Power train (4) | — |
| 2011 | 4.6L 8-cyl | RWD | 18 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 24 | Suspension (11) | — |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Hyundai Equus 4 DR RWD | Not Rated | No | Standard | 0 | 9 |
| 2015 | Hyundai Equus 4 DR RWD | Not Rated | No | Standard | 1 | 9 |
| 2014 | Hyundai Equus 4 DR RWD | Not Rated | No | Optional | 1 | 37 |
| 2013 | Hyundai Equus 4 DR RWD | Not Rated | No | Optional | 1 | 10 |
| 2012 | Hyundai Equus 4 DR RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 8 |
| 2011 | Hyundai Equus 4 DR RWD | Not Rated | No | Optional | 2 | 24 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Equus | Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 5.0 L | 18 |
| 2015 | Equus | Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L | 18 |
| 2014 | Equus | Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L | 18 |
| 2013 | Equus | Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L | 18 |
| 2012 | Equus | Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L | 18 |
| 2011 | Equus | Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L | 18 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.