NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 10 owner complaints for the 2013 Hyundai Equus. Most complaints involve service brakes (2) and suspension (2). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2012 Genesis vehicles manufactured August 1, 2011, to April 30, 2012, and 2011-2013 Equus vehicles manufactured July 10, 2011, to June 12, 2012. The windshield wiper motor cover seal on the affected vehicles may degrade allowing corrosion on the wiper motor's circuit board. The corrosion can cause intermittent or total loss of wiper function.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“ABS light is on and diagnosed needs replaced shortly after purchased the car November 2022, and is ongoing and currently an issue 4/5/24. The original ABS began to go out, would have to pump the brakes to stop and would not always catch. I have concerns this would be closely related to your current recall and believe the 2013 Equus be considered for inclusion in this risk. [XXX] recalls?nhtsaId=23V651000”
“I WAS DRIVING ON I-85 S FROM NORTH CAROLINA WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR STARTS TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS DRAGGING. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE FOR A FEW MORE EXITS TO SEE IF IT WOULD STOP. I GOT OFF AFTER FOUR EXITS, TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND CHECKED THE TIRES. NOTHING APPEARED WRONG. I WAITED SEVERAL MINUTES AND I STILL COULD NOT DETERMINE A PROBLEM SO, I RETURNED TO I-85 S. THE PROBLEM HAD STOPPED. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THE PROBLEM RETURNED. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN SUDDENLY THE DRAGGING FEEL BEGAN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD TO RETURN WHEN/IF THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR IN THE CITY BUT PERIODICALLY IT WOULD FEEL LOPSIDED AND IT WOULD DRAG. ONCE I TURNED THE CAR OFF, IT WOULD RESET ITSELF AND STOP DRAGGING AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES WHICH TURNED INTO SEVERAL HOURS. ONE DAY, IT FELT SO LOPSIDED, I GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT IT AGAIN. THIS TIME, I NOTICED THE BACK WAS ALMOST SITTING ON THE TIRE. I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP.THE SERVICE MAN SAW THE PROBLEM BUT BY THE TIME HE PULLED INTO A STALL, THE PROBLEM HAD FIXED ITSELF. I WAS TOLD THERE ARE OFTEN PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT AIR SPRINGS BUT THEY HAD NOT SEEN…”
“SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR I HAVE EXPERIENCED HESITATION AT TIMES WHEN I STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR. THE CAR DOESN'T RESPOND FOR 1-2 SECONDS AND I HAVE TO HIT THE ACCELERATOR VERY HARD TO MAKE IT CATCH AND MOVE FORWARD. IT IS INTERMITTENT BUT WHEN I AM TRYING TO GET INTO TRAFFIC IT IS VERY SCARY. I HAVE COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES BUT HAVE RECEIVED NO CORRECTIVE ACTION AND THE CAR CONTINUES TO HESITATE.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equus Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,300 | 493 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (2), suspension (2), vehicle speed control (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2013 Hyundai Equus at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).