Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year, against this model's usual year.
2012GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual Extended coverage
Few complaints for any year of this model, so the data can't tell this year apart much. 8 serious complaints of 8, the most about power train (4) and engine (3); 1.0× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2012 vehicles. 1 recall.
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage The windshield wiper motor may either function intermittently or stop functioning. (5NP-H9U9W, 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.
8 owner complaints · 1 recall (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 18 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2012 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 2012
- Starting prices: +$750 to +$1,250 (2 trims; hover for each)
- Engine: 4.6L DOHC Tau V8 → 5.0L Gasoline Direct Injection DOHC Tau V8 (all trims)
- Horsepower: 385 hp → 429 hp (all trims)
- Torque: 333 lb-ft → 376 lb-ft (all trims)
- Gears: 6 → 8 (all trims)
- Fuel economy (combined): 19 mpg → 18 mpg (all trims)
2012 Equus trims
| Signature | Ultimate | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Starting MSRP | $58,750 | $65,750 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 5.0L Gasoline Direct Injection DOHC Tau V8 | 5.0L Gasoline Direct Injection DOHC Tau V8 |
| Horsepower | 429 hp | 429 hp |
| Torque | 376 lb-ft | 376 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC | 8-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Drivetrain | Rwd | Rwd |
| Fuel economy (combined) | 18 mpg | 18 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 |
| 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 (9)
| Signature | Ultimate | |
|---|---|---|
| Genuine Wood (Birch Burl) | Optional | Optional |
| Genuine Wood (Walnut) | Optional | Optional |
| Black Noir | Optional | Optional |
| Granite Gray | Optional | Optional |
| Platinum | Optional | Optional |
| White Satin | Optional | Optional |
| Cashmere Beige Leather | Optional | Optional |
| Jet Black Leather | Optional | Optional |
| Saddle Brown Leather | Optional | Optional |
Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem brochure, 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.