NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 9 owner complaints for the 2015 Hyundai Equus. Most complaints involve seats (2) and electrical system (2). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“On August, 2nd around noon, I was driving alone, west on a rural road called 1869 in Liberty Hill, TX. I believe the speed limit on this winding rural road is 55mph, and I was about 1 mile west of 183. While my car was in motion, my active headrest activated (exploded) into the back of my head, throwing me forward into the steering wheel. This happened randomly and unprompted. There were no other cars on the road with me, I didn’t collide with anything, and the road was smooth. I quickly regained control of the car and continued to my destination. The Hyundai dealership confirms the misfired active headrest, and Hyundai does not want to repair it, as the vehicle is out of warranty. There were no warnings prior to the event. I was resting my head on the headrest when it happened.”
“WHENEVER IT GETS HOT IN THIS AREA, MY VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONS. FIRST THE DASH BUBBLED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE LEATHER ON THE DRIVER DOOR BUBBLES UP AND HAS BEEN REPLACED.. IT IS BUBBLING AGAIN ON THE DRIVER DOOR BUT IS NOT COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. BOTH HEADRESTS HAVE POPPED OPEN. ONE HAPPEN WHILE AT THE CAR WASH AND THE OTHER HAPPENED WHILE I WAS IN THE GROCERY STORE. BOTH TIMES THE CAR WAS AT REST AND WINDOWS UP.. IT COSTS $1600 TO REPLACE. THE DRIVER WINDOW SWITCH DOES NOT WORK WHEN HOT OUTSIDE. HAD IT CHECKED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 10 TIMES. MAINTENANCE AGENT WITNESSED IT BUT BY APPOINTMENT TIME WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THE WARRANTY REPAIR NEVER OCCURRED. ADDITIONALLY,, THE RADIO GOES OUT AND FRIES LIKE A CB. COMPLAINED TWO YEARS ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT AGAIN, THE MECHANIC COULD NEVER DUPLICATE THIS ISSUE WHEN THE CAR WAS RETURNED FOR AN APPOINTMENT. ALL EXCEPT FOR 3 TIMES THE MECHANIC WITNESSED THE PROBLEM AND SHOWED ME HOW TO RESET THE RADIO. THIS ISSUED OCCURRED WHEN CAR WAS IN MOTION AND ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME WHEN THE PHONE WAS CONNECTED AND IN USE. I HAVE TO PUSH A HOLE WITH A PEN TIP TO RESET IT ONCE A MONTH. EVENTUALLY,, I…”
“MAY 4TH 2019 VEHICLE FOUND DEAD AND WOULD NOT START. NO SIGNS OF ANY BATTERY ISSUES IN THE PAST FEW DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED DIRECTLY TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT EMPIRE HYUNDAI LOCATED IN FALL RIVER, MA. VEHICLE CONFIRMED BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO TURN OVER, HOWEVER NO LIGHTS OR CLOCK AND NO POWER. THEN ALL WENT DEAD FOR THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED THAT HE WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE THE ROOT CAUSE FOR THE ONGOING ELECTRICAL ISSUE, AND THE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT. THE SOLUTION THAT WAS PROVIDED WAS TO INSTALL A NEW REPLACEMENT BATTERY. WHEN THE BATTERY WAS INSTALLED, THE 'ISSUE' SEEMED TO GO AWAY. THIS IS A RE-OCCURRING ISSUE RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS, AND THAT IT IS UNLIKELY THAT REPLACING BATTERY IS THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. EMPIRE'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS DOCUMENTED THE ONGOING ELECTRICAL ISSUES AS THE CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN NUMEROUS TIMES USUALLY 'SHUTTING OFF 'AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH THE WHEELS LOCKING UP. (5 TIMES). WE WERE TOLD IT WAS A GROUND ISSUE AND A 'NEW GROUND BOLT WAS INSTALLED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO 'SHUT OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 'AND THE VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL AS LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND…”
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 | 502 |
| 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 9 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are seats (2), electrical system (2), steering (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2015 Hyundai Equus at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).