Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Engine & cooling

Hyundai Equus Engine problems by year

10 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Equus's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20162000
20143000
20123000
20112000

Latest Equus engine complaints

2012 Hyundai EquusTransmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

I am writing to log an immediate emergency update to my vehicle safety report regarding my 2012 Hyundai Equus Signature 5.0L. On Friday afternoon, July 10, 2026, Hyundai Motor America's corporate office formally initiated a high-level Tier-2 supervisor review to investigate the severe powertrain safety hazard currently present on my vehicle - specifically, a catastrophic internal rupture of the transmission fluid cooler loop that has cross-contaminated and flooded my engine block infrastructure and main radiator with...

Read the full complaint

high-velocity metallic shrapnel. However, today, Saturday, July 11, 2026, the servicing franchise dealership, Patrick Hyundai, issued an immediate verbal denial of all goodwill repair or safety inspection coverage. This premature weekend denial represents a blatant, bad-faith attempt by a localized franchise to circumvent an active manufacturer safety audit. By issuing a verbal denial while corporate offices are closed, the dealership is attempting to apply high pressure to force me to immediately tow this severely compromised, non-driveable vehicle off their property. This action is designed solely to force the removal and destruction of critical, un-tampered physical fluid evidence before a qualified Federal Safety Engineer or a Hyundai Field Product Engineer can mandate a teardown or structural inspection. The manufacturer's franchise is actively evading its product liability and safety screening protocols for an integrated, multi-system thermal failure. I am requesting that federal safety auditors expedite an intervention, freeze any attempt to eject the vehicle from the facility, and order a formal manufacturer field safety audit. Case number 11749120

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11749721
2012 Hyundai EquusTransmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

I am reporting a severe vehicle safety hazard involving a sudden loss of motive power and extreme thermal failure on my 2012 Hyundai Equus Signature 5.0L. In July 2022, at 88,845 miles, an authorized Hyundai dealership replaced the transmission under a factory warranty event. Rather than replacing the transmission oil cooler assembly - which was contaminated with heavy metal shrapnel from the original mechanical breakdown - the servicing dealer chose to only flush the lines, creating a latent fluid restriction. After...

Read the full complaint

approximately 18,000 miles of operation, this restriction completely choked the transmission fluid pressure loop. The extreme thermal stress and back-pressure caused the internal walls of the transmission cooler to suffer a catastrophic structural rupture. This caused the transmission to suddenly overheat and fail while driving, creating an immediate highway safety risk and a total loss of vehicle control. Furthermore, the internal rupture of the cooler walls has caused direct fluid cross-contamination ('SMOD'), forcing transmission fluid and metallic shrapnel directly into the engine's main radiator and cooling passages. This metal shrapnel is currently circulating through the engine's cooling network, creating a severe secondary hazard of catastrophic engine seizure and thermal runaway while traveling at highway speeds. The manufacturer has been notified but has formally refused in writing to dispatch a field engineer or authorize a safety inspection of this cross-contaminated powertrain network.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11749120
2012 Hyundai EquusTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

I was driving on the highway and my transmission due to a failed transmission service done to my vehicle caused my vehicle's transmission to overheat a blowout my transmission cooler and mix coolant and transmission fluid unknown to me because of a clogged transmission cooler line improperly flushed instead of replaced by the Patrick Hyundai dealership there could've been and electrical fire or a crash due to these things.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11748611
2014 Hyundai EquusEngine & cooling

While driving at approximately 70MPH on the highway, my 2014 Hyundai Tucson Limited suddenly locked up with no warning lights, no noise and no prior symptoms. The engine completely seized, causing immediate loss of power. I was barely able to coast off the highway exit to a final stop on the feeder shoulder, in a desolate area. The vehicle has always been properly maintained and is in excellent condition. Upon research, I learned that Hyundai has known of internal engine defects caused by metallic debris left...

Read the full complaint

from manufacturing since 2010, which can cause bearing failure and engine seizure. My Tucson's failure matches the same pattern described in Hyundai's Theta II engine recall and warranty extension campaigns. This sudden failure created an extremely dangerous situation at highway speed and possibility of injury while being stranded on an open road. Many owners, myself included, were never properly notified of the risks. I am filing this report because this incident represents a serious safety defect and potential recurrence among similar vehicles that may not yet be covered by recall. I respectfully request that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigate this issue and ensure Hyundai expands its recall and warranty coverage to include affected 2014 Hyundai Tucson Limited vehicles exhibiting this defect that was well-known to the Hyundai Corporation. Date of Incident: October 23,2025 in Houston Texas. Vehicle towed to Hyundai dealer which diagnosed Engine Seized and currently awaiting Warranty Extension Approval (TXXC/TXXI)

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11697541
2011 Hyundai EquusEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Equus. The contact stated there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the rod bearings had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11654706
2011 Hyundai EquusEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Equus. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled however, the driver was able to pull to the side of the road where the vehicle lost motive and was unable to be restarted. The contact stated that he was unaware of any warning lights being illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who advised that they would attempt to restart the electronic computer module (ECM). The repair was successful however, the contact...

Read the full complaint

stated that the independent mechanic advised him that the failure could recur and that the vehicle should be taken to the dealer. The contact stated that the failure recurred without warning. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer. The failure was diagnosed that the ECM had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The ECM was replaced by a module from another vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer since July of 2021 as the replacement part was on back order. The contact stated that the dealer informed him that other issues were found with the vehicle and the contact was awaiting a call from the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11463358
2016 Hyundai EquusElectrical systemBrakesEngine & cooling

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

Filed Incident Electrical system · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11363292
2016 Hyundai EquusEngine & cooling

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...

Read the full complaint

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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11291674
2014 Hyundai EquusEngine & cooling

Engine failure - car has 32k miles; never had any warning light appear on the dash; out of no where developed a knocking noise. The car was sitting for approximately 2 weeks and once started and driving a knocking noise started approximately 5 minutes into my drive; therefore I brought it immediately to the dealer. New engine is needed due to excessive sludge build up and oil bleeding into the engine and timing chain. Manufacturer stated it's not covered under warranty. A local mechanic shop told me this has...

Read the full complaint

been noted in a couple other same models that came through their shop although those owners traded the car in to get out of the situation they were in. Oil was changed in accordance with the manufacturers specification although not through a dealer since I don't live close to a dealer. If the manufacturer requires it to be changed or maintained through a dealer, that should be documented in the owners manual. This manufacturer seems to have a lot of issues with engine failures. This could have potentially caused the car to stall in the middle of a busy highway potentially causing to harm to people in my car or cause a serious accident.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11110780

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience