Selling a broken or junk Hyundai Equus
The 2014 Equus accounts for 36 of the 96 complaints owners have filed with NHTSA about this sedan, more than a third of the total, and seats lead that year's list. Across all six US years, suspension comes up most: 18 complaints.
- US model years (EPA)
- 2011-2016
- Complaints to NHTSA
- 96
- Year with the most complaints
- 2014 (36)
- Component named most
- Suspension (18)
- Recall campaigns
- 3
- Engines (second generation)
- 3.8 V6 or 4.6 V8
- Replaced by
- Genesis G90
If your Equus now sits in a driveway with a warning light, a sagging corner or a dead battery, you don't have to fix it to sell it. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and the truck comes to you.
Only one generation reached the US
Hyundai built the Equus from 1999 to 2016, Wikipedia says. The first generation was a front-drive car from 1999 to 2009, related to the Mitsubishi Proudia. EPA fuel economy data lists no Equus before 2011, so every US car is the second generation.
That car is rear-wheel drive on the Hyundai BH platform, shared with the Genesis sedan and the Kia K900. Wikipedia lists a 3.8 Lambda II V6 (the GDi version from 2011 to 2015) and a 4.6 Tau V8, with a 6-speed or 8-speed automatic. It was built in Ulsan, South Korea. The Genesis G90 replaced it.
Problems owners reported, and the recalls behind them
2011 (24 complaints). Suspension tops the year with 8, then service brakes with 6. Two recalls reach this year. Recall 14V713 is for the stop lamp switch circuit, and dealers repair it for free. Its 42,925 vehicles include 2009-2011 Genesis cars, so that count is not the Equus's alone. Recall 16V117 replaces the wiper motor cover and seal on 2011-2013 cars. Its 18,700 vehicles include 2012 Genesis sedans.
2012-2013 (18 complaints together). Few reports. Suspension, brakes, engine and power train each appear once or twice. Recall 16V117 still applies.
2014-2015 (45 complaints together). The 2014 has the most of any year. Owners named seats 7 times, suspension 5 and hydraulic brakes 4. Recall 23V651 covers both years. It concerns the ABS control module and tells owners to park outside until a dealer replaces the ABS fuse. Its 1,649,478 vehicles span many Hyundai models, so that number is not the Equus's own.
2016 (9 complaints). Wheels and exterior lighting appear twice each. No recall lists this year.
Complaints and recalls by model year
These are owner reports NHTSA held on October 10, 2026. The later Equus years have been on the road for fewer years, so they have had less time to gather any. One campaign may span two or three years, which is why the recall figures total more than 3.
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Injured | Recall campaigns | Named most |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 24 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Suspension (8) |
| 2012 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Suspension, power train, engine (2 each) |
| 2013 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Suspension, service brakes (2 each) |
| 2014 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Seats (7) |
| 2015 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Electrical system (2) |
| 2016 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Wheels, exterior lighting (2 each) |
Repair it or let it go?
Start free. Run your VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup. Recall work costs nothing, and on a 2014 or 2015 the ABS fuse recall matters before you park it in a garage.
After that, put a written quote next to the price a running Equus like yours brings. A big luxury sedan's repairs can pass its value fast. Our guide to when repairs outrun the car's value walks through the math. If the trouble is in the suspension, see broken suspension.
Selling the Equus whole
Sell the whole car as it sits. Leave the wheels, the battery and the trim on, and tell us about anything already removed.
Keep the title, VIN and odometer reading handy. Say whether it starts, whether it rolls and where it's parked: a garage, a lot, a narrow street. Pickup is free anywhere in the US. Get an offer online or call (877) 421-6008. Other Hyundai models: the Genesis, Azera and Sonata.
Questions people ask
- Which Equus year has the most NHTSA complaints?
- The 2014, with 36 of the 96 complaints counted as of October 10, 2026. Seats were the component named most often that year (7), then suspension (5). The 2011 is next with 24.
- Why does a recall tell some Equus owners to park outside?
- Recall 23V651 covers 2014-2015 Equus sedans along with many other Hyundai models. Hyundai's advice is to leave the car outdoors, clear of buildings, until a dealer finishes the fix. The fuse swap costs owners nothing; NHTSA's lookup, searched by VIN, tells you whether a given Equus is still waiting for it.
- Will you take an Equus with suspension trouble that won't drive?
- Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US. Tell us if the car sits low or can't roll so the right truck comes.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.
- NHTSA complaints flat file (FLAT_CMPL.zip), downloaded October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 14V713: stop lamp switch, 2011 Equus and 2009-2011 Genesis nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 16V117: windshield wiper motor, 2011-2013 Equus and 2012 Genesis nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 23V651: ABS module, park outside, 2014-2015 Equus and other Hyundai models nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
- EPA fuel economy data (model years and class) fueleconomy.gov
- Wikipedia: Hyundai Equus (generations, engines, assembly) en.wikipedia.org