RoadVitals

2016 Hyundai Equus Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest May 29, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
7
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2016 Hyundai Equus, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Exterior lighting220.0%
  • Engine220.0%
  • Other / unspecified220.0%
  • Brakes110.0%
  • Tires & wheels110.0%
  • Electrical110.0%
  • Suspension110.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Equus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights and both turn signals became inoperable and failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the failure could not be duplicated. The contact further stated that the failure persisted after the vehicle was returned from the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

NHTSA ID 11740882 · filed May 29, 2026

There are actually 3 problems that my dealer has not been able to fix/diagnose. The first is the headlights, when set to the auto position, they will often turn off and on while driving at night. Service says that they were unable to duplicate the problem, but it keeps happening. The second is the Navigation system updates, that they claim they cannot provide any updates to my 2016 Equus (just about all other years and models are available). The third is the voice recognition system, which only recognizes my voice for phone calls, but not for directions. The dealer (Gettel Hyundai of Sarasota FL) had my vehicle for two weeks and was not able to fix any of these problems, although they charged me over $500 for diagnostics. If I look at the Hyundai Owners Forum, I see these problems documented over and over and I provided the dealership with that information to no avail. I also notified the BBB of my problems, (case# [XXX]), but they are not returning my calls to them in order to update them on my lack of resolutions to my problems. What if anything can I do to pursue this ? I have copied in the CEO of Hyundai USA (J. Munoz) and after initially designating someone under him to get involved, has since been unresponsive (since October 6th, 2023). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11554007 · filed Nov 7, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVING AT 75 MPH AND WENT TO PASS SOMEONE. THE ENGINE KICKED DOWN A FEW YEARS AND THE ENTIRE CAR SHUT OFF. NO POWER BRAKES AND NO STEERING AND STEERING LOCKED UP FOR ABOUT A SECOND OR TWO. DURING THE TIME IT WAS OFF THE VEHICLE JERKED HARD LIKE IF THE TIRES HAD LOCKED UP. AFTER THE COUPLE SECONDS THE VEHICLE TURNED BACK ON AND EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR ANYTHING TO INDICATE A PROBLEM I WAS DRIVING ON THE I-80 HEADING TO RENO

NHTSA ID 11363292 · filed Oct 7, 2020

VEHICLE PRODUCES EXCESSIVE EXHAUST SOOT AT ALL TIMES. THE SOOT ADHERES TO THE REAR TAIL PIPE, REAR BUMPER, AND TRUNK LID CAUSING STAINING THAT LEADS TO PITTING OF CHROME PIECES. THE SOOT IS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE AFTER A FEW DAYS AND REQUIRES CONSTANT CLEANING. THIS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE AIR QUALITY AND DAMAGE OR STAIN OTHER VEHICLES AND PROPERTY NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING WALLS AND OTHER PARKED VEHICLES. EFFECTS ON LUNGS SHOULD BE STUDIED TO DETERMINE IF PERMANENT DAMAGE COULD RESULT FROM ACCUMULATION OF SOOT. ENOUGH SMALL PARTICULATE MATTER IS EMITTED TO HEAVILY STAIN REAR AREAS OF VEHICLE IN LESS THAN 1 WEEK. VEHICLE EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEMS COULD ALSO BE ADVERSELY AFFECT, CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE OF O2 SENSORS OR CATALYSTS. TOUCHING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AFTER 1 WEEK FOLLOWING A DETAILING LEFT HEAVY, BLACK STRAINS SIMILAR TO THOSE FOUND AFTER MULTIPLE MONTHS OF SEMI-METALIC BRAKE DUST ACCUMULATION. EFFECTS COULD BE SEEN AFTER CITY DRIVING AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. SOME SOOT FORMATION CAN BE SEEN AFTER PROLONGED IDLE.

NHTSA ID 11291674 · filed Dec 27, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI EQUUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWDER COATING FROM EACH WHEEL DETACHED AND LODGED BETWEEN THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS CAUSING THE BRAKING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION AND THE BRAKING DISTANCE TO BE EXTENDED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TO ALL FOUR WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER - BRANDON HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 9915 E ADAMO DR, TAMPA, FL 33619, WHERE THE DEBRIS WAS REMOVED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY A POWDER COATING EXPERT THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY POWDER COATING APPLICATION PROCESS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.

NHTSA ID 11375273 · filed Nov 18, 2020

I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROD IN LAUREL, MARYLAND. MY CAR HIT A POTHOLE AND I GOT OUT TO LOOK AND DISCOVER THAT I HAD TWO FLAT TIRES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANT SHOWED ME THAT THE FRONT RIM WAS SPLIT AND THE BACK TIRE HAD A HOLE ON THE SIDE. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT CONCERNING THE FRONT WHEEL OF THE CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT.

NHTSA ID 10823432 · filed Feb 1, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVING AT 75 MPH AND WENT TO PASS SOMEONE. THE ENGINE KICKED DOWN A FEW YEARS AND THE ENTIRE CAR SHUT OFF. NO POWER BRAKES AND NO STEERING AND STEERING LOCKED UP FOR ABOUT A SECOND OR TWO. DURING THE TIME IT WAS OFF THE VEHICLE JERKED HARD LIKE IF THE TIRES HAD LOCKED UP. AFTER THE COUPLE SECONDS THE VEHICLE TURNED BACK ON AND EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR ANYTHING TO INDICATE A PROBLEM I WAS DRIVING ON THE I-80 HEADING TO RENO

NHTSA ID 11363292 · filed Oct 7, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2016 HYUNDAI EQUUS WITH CONTINENTAL CONTIPROCONTACT P245 / 45R / 19 98V TIRES; DOT AF7VP1H6 (0615); WHILE DRIVING MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDCHILD TO THE AIRPORT ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE. UPON RETURNING HOME, CALLED CAR DEALER AND SCHEDULED A SERVICE APPOINTMENT THE NEXT DAY. WE BOTH THOUGHT A FRONT TIRE HAD POSSIBLY THROWN A WHEEL BALANCING WEIGHT. DEALER FOUND BOTH FRONT TIRES HAD BELT SEPARATION CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE. THE CAR AND TIRES WERE PURCHASED NEW AT THE DEALER AT THE END OF 2016, ARE ONLY 22 MONTHS OLD AND HAVE ONLY 19,700 MILES. WE HAVE NOT HIT ANY CURBS, ROUGH RAILROAD TRACKS OR LARGE POT-HOLES AND IT IS SUSPICIOUS THAT IT WAS BOTH FRONT TIRES. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY THE DEALER, REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE A LIKELY MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND OFFERED ONLY 50% OF THE TIRE REPLACEMENT COSTS AND THEY WANTED THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. I WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE OTHER NEW TIRES FOR LESS COST THAN WHAT THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED. I HAVE THE DEFECTIVE TIRES IN MY POSSESSION AND PLAN TO RUN ROOT-CAUSE FAILURE ANALYSIS ON THE TIRES SUSPECTING THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH THE RUBBER USED CAUSING THE BELTS TO PREMATURELY SEPARATE FROM THE TIRE COMPOUND. I NOTED OTHER SIMILAR BELT SEPARATION FAILURES ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE LISTED UNDER THE TIRE MANUFACTURER, BRAND AND EVEN CAR BRAND. WILL ALSO BE CONTACTING THE CAR MAKER AND TIRE MANUFACTURER TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT OF A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT.

NHTSA ID 11111896 · filed Jul 17, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVING AT 75 MPH AND WENT TO PASS SOMEONE. THE ENGINE KICKED DOWN A FEW YEARS AND THE ENTIRE CAR SHUT OFF. NO POWER BRAKES AND NO STEERING AND STEERING LOCKED UP FOR ABOUT A SECOND OR TWO. DURING THE TIME IT WAS OFF THE VEHICLE JERKED HARD LIKE IF THE TIRES HAD LOCKED UP. AFTER THE COUPLE SECONDS THE VEHICLE TURNED BACK ON AND EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR ANYTHING TO INDICATE A PROBLEM I WAS DRIVING ON THE I-80 HEADING TO RENO

NHTSA ID 11363292 · filed Oct 7, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Suspension air Block and airbags failing, even after being replaced by dealership 2 months ago. Most recently happened on the interstate at 70 mph. Fixed by dealership only to happen again!! Known problem by Hyundai dealership yet keep replacing with same defective part number. Twice have had new parts fail during test drive. Very expensive to repair $10,000 so far and just had the rear airbag go burst. Not safe to drive vehicle!! Never know when it will go out again. Last one just lasted two months!! Will never get money back from selling the car! Just want a safe vehicle and Hyundai needs to provide parts that work and are not a safety hazard!!

NHTSA ID 11622368 · filed Oct 28, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .