Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2015 Hyundai Equus with NHTSA between 2017 and 2024.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 26
Against the median year of the Hyundai Equus. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 43
8.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 46
27% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2015 Hyundai Equus
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Seats
216.7%
Median failure at 99,000 miles
Steering
216.7%
Median failure at 32,632 miles
Electrical System
216.7%
Median failure at 65,129 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
18.3%
Median failure at 65,259 miles
Lights
18.3%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
18.3%
Median failure at 22,650 miles
Suspension
18.3%
Median failure at 35,000 miles
Brakes
18.3%
Median failure at 68,925 miles
Airbags
18.3%
Median failure at 43,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
19.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
19.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
218.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
654.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
19.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Sep 2017peak 3Nov 2024
NHTSA investigations into the 2015 Hyundai Equus
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543,...
Recalls on the 2015 Hyundai Equus
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2024080353,849 units in Canada
Brakes
Issue: On certain vehicles, brake fluid could leak into the control module for the antilock brake system (ABS) and cause it to short circuit. Note: This recall replaces recall R0246 (Transport Canada recall number 2023-527). For the Sonata model, only the Sonata Hybrid model is affected by this recall. Safety Risk: A short circuit could create a fire risk, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off. Corrective Actions: Hyundai will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the fuse for the ABS module. Hyundai recommends that you should park your vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall repairs have been completed.
Recall 2023527326,942 units in Canada
Brakes
This recall was replaced by Transport Canada Recall No. 2024-080. Issue: On certain vehicles, brake fluid could leak into the control module for the antilock brake system (ABS) and cause it to short circuit. Safety Risk: A short circuit could create a fire risk, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off. Corrective Actions: Hyundai will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the fuse for the ABS module. Hyundai recommends that you should park your vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall repairs have been completed.
Recall 2023125404,543 units in Canada
Brakes
Issue: Hyundai is conducting a special service campaign that provides anti-corrosion treatment to certain underbody components. Over time, components under the vehicle, including brake lines could corrode. If this happens, a brake line could fail and leak. A brake fluid leak can result in reduced braking. Safety Risk: Reduced braking can cause an extended stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Hyundai will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect the underbody, including the brake lines. The dealer will apply an anti-corrosion treatment to certain parts, and replace the brake lines if necessary.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 133,000 milesLiberty Hill, TX1 injured
SEATS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11627331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 133,000 milesLiberty Hill, TX1 injured
SEATS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11627331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Ramon, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Within last two years I've been dealing with random and intermittent headlight flickering/turning off when the light stalk switch is in AUTO mode. Also, the cabin lights flicker and turn off at the same time when headlights do. It is very dangerous when it happens during night driving. Luckily problem can be overridden by switching the stalk to ON modes and the interior cluster lights and headlights come back on again. Problem seems to be happening only when in AUTO mode. I talked to dealer, they tried to replicate the problem without success. Problem happens to me at least once a month. I spent lot of time reading about this problem in forums, and found one same comment on the Equus vehicle and many on Genesis which was sold in much higher volumes. It seems to be the same problem, and Hyundai has issued the extended warranty program (but for Genesis 15-16 cars) 20-BE-009H. I firmly believe it's the same problem, its just not many Equus vehicles was sold as Genesis. Please help - we are hardly driving the car at night anymore and we really like it. And dealer didn't want to replace the stalk without being able to properly diagnose/replicate the problem.
NHTSA complaint #11615717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,925 milesAntioch, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Equus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, there was an unknown liquid leaking from under the hood. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Services Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,925. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11580545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesTempe, AZ
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Equus. The contact stated that while driving into the driveway, the front air suspension suddenly failed causing the front-end of the vehicle to collapse onto the front tires, making the vehicle undrivable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on two previous occasions with the driver’s and passenger’s side rear air suspensions, and the front passenger’s side air suspension. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
NHTSA complaint #11525381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,000 milesSugar Land, TX
AIR BAGS
Active headrest on front passenger side inadvertently deployed while driving on a smooth toll road at normal speed. Any passenger could have been severely injured and there could be risk of driver side deployment that could not only cause severe injury but also collision. There were no warning indicators and the entire unit must be replaced because the plastic retention clips broke. The car is currently in the shop.
NHTSA complaint #11487906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesPort Wentwrth, GA
SEATS
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 COMPLAINED TO GM AND THEY HAD RADIO REPLACED BUT DEALERSHIP PUT IN A DIFFERENT MODEL OTHER THAN THE ONE FOR THE CAR. NOW PHONE SYSTEM HAS TO BE REPROGRAMMED FOR USE WHENEVER I ENTER THE CAR AS WELL AS THE RADIO SYSTEM RANDOMLY CHANGES THE STATION WHEN TRAVELING. I HAVE VIDEO OF THIS ISSUE. LASTLY THE WINDOWS GET STUCK IN THE UP POSITION WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. HAD THEM CHECKED BY MAINTENANCE MANAGER, BUT HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE DURING THE APPOINTMENT . PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #11397049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesPort Wentwrth, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 COMPLAINED TO GM AND THEY HAD RADIO REPLACED BUT DEALERSHIP PUT IN A DIFFERENT MODEL OTHER THAN THE ONE FOR THE CAR. NOW PHONE SYSTEM HAS TO BE REPROGRAMMED FOR USE WHENEVER I ENTER THE CAR AS WELL AS THE RADIO SYSTEM RANDOMLY CHANGES THE STATION WHEN TRAVELING. I HAVE VIDEO OF THIS ISSUE. LASTLY THE WINDOWS GET STUCK IN THE UP POSITION WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. HAD THEM CHECKED BY MAINTENANCE MANAGER, BUT HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE DURING THE APPOINTMENT . PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #11397049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,259 milesMattapoisett, MA
STEERING
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 BRAKING OCCURS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND IS DANGEROUS AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH OTHER CARS OR OBJECTS DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS IS CLEARLY RELATED TO THE WIRING HARNESS\GROUND BOLT AND THE FAILURE MODE IS SIMILAR TO PREVIOUS INCIDENTS WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED DURING OPERATION . COMMUNICATED WE DID NOT FEEL SAFE CONTINUING TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS ISSUE UNRESOLVED. CASE # 15744270 W/ HYUNDAI COMPLAINT DEPT. ATTN: THERE ARE PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS IN NHTSB DATABASE FROM OTHER EQUUS USERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE LOSS OF POWER WHILE VEHICLE IS UNDER OPERATION. THE RISK WITH THIS FAILURE MODE IS SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH AND SHOULD BE ASSIGNED YOUR HIGHEST SEVERITY RISK RATING.
NHTSA complaint #11206172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,259 milesMattapoisett, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 BRAKING OCCURS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND IS DANGEROUS AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH OTHER CARS OR OBJECTS DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS IS CLEARLY RELATED TO THE WIRING HARNESS\GROUND BOLT AND THE FAILURE MODE IS SIMILAR TO PREVIOUS INCIDENTS WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED DURING OPERATION . COMMUNICATED WE DID NOT FEEL SAFE CONTINUING TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS ISSUE UNRESOLVED. CASE # 15744270 W/ HYUNDAI COMPLAINT DEPT. ATTN: THERE ARE PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS IN NHTSB DATABASE FROM OTHER EQUUS USERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE LOSS OF POWER WHILE VEHICLE IS UNDER OPERATION. THE RISK WITH THIS FAILURE MODE IS SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH AND SHOULD BE ASSIGNED YOUR HIGHEST SEVERITY RISK RATING.
NHTSA complaint #11206172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,259 milesMattapoisett, MA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 BRAKING OCCURS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND IS DANGEROUS AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH OTHER CARS OR OBJECTS DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS IS CLEARLY RELATED TO THE WIRING HARNESS\GROUND BOLT AND THE FAILURE MODE IS SIMILAR TO PREVIOUS INCIDENTS WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED DURING OPERATION . COMMUNICATED WE DID NOT FEEL SAFE CONTINUING TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS ISSUE UNRESOLVED. CASE # 15744270 W/ HYUNDAI COMPLAINT DEPT. ATTN: THERE ARE PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS IN NHTSB DATABASE FROM OTHER EQUUS USERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE LOSS OF POWER WHILE VEHICLE IS UNDER OPERATION. THE RISK WITH THIS FAILURE MODE IS SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH AND SHOULD BE ASSIGNED YOUR HIGHEST SEVERITY RISK RATING.
NHTSA complaint #11206172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5 milesPalm BAY, FL
STEERING
STEERING LOCKS UP WHILE MAKING A COMPLETE TURN
NHTSA complaint #11161843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,650 milesCairo, GA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, AS I APPROACH A VEHICLE FROM THE REAR THAT IS GOING SLOWER, THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGES AND DISPLAYS A MESSAGE SIMILAR TO THIS! " SHUT DOWN ENGINE IMMEDIATELY, SERVICE REQUIRED." THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I DID SO, AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I'VE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT REGULARLY SERVICES THE CAR, AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T RECREATE THE CONDITION. IT APPEARS TO BE A SOFTWARE PROBLEM. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS RECENTLY WHEN THIS CONDITION APPEARS, THE ABILITY TO RESUME ACCELERATION IS LOST MOMENTARILY, AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN DRASTICALLY. IT SUDDENLY RELENTS, AND RESUMES TRAVELLING AT THE PRESET SPEED. THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS WHERE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED. I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT ONE DAY THE WARNING MAY LEAD TO A CATASROPHIC FAILURE OF THE ENGINE
NHTSA complaint #11024056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.