HyundaiEquus2012Overview/hyundai/equus/2012/base/

2012 Hyundai Equus

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Equus.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 8-spd

The 2012 Hyundai Equus is a passenger car fitted with an eight-speed automatic transmission, requiring 7.2 quarts of 5W-20 or 5W-30 API engine oil and carrying EPA fuel-economy ratings of 15/23/18 mpg city/highway/combined. Across the 20112016 model range, the 2012 model year registers the lowest complaint volume at eight, well below the 2014 peak of thirty-seven, with power-train and engine issues standing as its leading complaint category and one recall on file. That makes the 2012 Equus the least-reported trouble year of this generation by complaint count, though any research sample should still prioritize engine and power-train history.

Model year201620152014201320122011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/23/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 49 · 740 CCA battery, OE oil filter 263193F300. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 49 · 740 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP275-40R19OEM · verified
Wheel / rim9.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter263193F300
Spark plug1885111070
Battery371103M200
Cabin air filter087903M000A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 8-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length203.1 in
Overall width74.4 in
Overall height58.7 in
Wheelbase120.1 in
Curb weight4555 lb
Track (front / rear)63.8 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 23 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume111 cu ft
Cargo volume17 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Equus of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.50 sec — 2012 Ultimate
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2012Ultimate 5.0L V85.50 sec13.90 sec429 hpRWD
2011Ultimate 4.6L V86.10 sec14.50 sec385 hpRWD
2011Ultimate 4.6L V86.10 sec14.60 sec385 hpRWD
2011Signature 4.6L V86.20 sec14.60 sec385 hpRWD
2011Signature 4.6L V86.20 sec14.60 sec385 hpRWD
2011Ultimate 4.6L V86.40 sec14.80 sec385 hpRWD
2014Ultimate 5.0L V86.40 sec14.80 sec429 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.2 qt of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.3-32.5 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidHyundai SP-IV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.0-10.8
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-20 · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity7.2 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs10-11 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts290-297 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts79 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36-40 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.3-32.5 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs14-17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub145-203 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)550 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)550 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.52-.72 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5950-8050 ohms
Ignition Timing7, Not adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.16-1.27 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.04-3.75 oz
Standard BCI Group Number49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance740 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)72.0-77.9 psi
Engine Compression135

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-72 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-72 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0002 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.79 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
117-19 ft. lbs., Step 2: 95-10017–19 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Apply a 3.50-4.50 mm bead of Hyundai sealant or equivalent RTV to the front cylinder head corners of the upper and lower head gasket. Assembly of the cylinder head must be completed within five minutes of applying the liquid gasket compound.

1Bolts 1-1024–27 ft. lbs
2Bolts 1-10 88 degrees-92 degrees88 degrees
3Bolts 1-14118 degrees
411-1224.7–26.8 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
14-6 ft. lbs., step 2: 15-204–6 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 40,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Hyundai Equus recorded 8 complaints and 1 recall, which is markedly lower than the 24 complaints and 2 recalls in 2011 and far below the 37 complaints in 2014. Complaint numbers rose again to 10 in 2013 before spiking in 2014, then fell to 9 in both 2015 and 2016, showing a dip in 2012 within an overall fluctuating trend. Recall activity declined from 2 in 2011 to a steady 1 each year from 2012 through 2015, then dropped to zero in 2016, placing 2012 at the start of that low‑recall phase. Technical service bulletins peaked at 77 in 2012, higher than the 60 in 2011 and 2013 but above the declining counts seen in later years. Given its comparatively low complaint and recall figures relative to the surrounding model years, the 2012 Equus represents a comparatively strong choice among used examples of this generation.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
77
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
8
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 8 complaints on record, top 6 components.

Power Train,Engine2
Suspension2
Power Train,Electrical System,Engine1
Air Bags1
Power Train1
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V117000Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:MotorReported 29/02/2016

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… Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor cover and seal, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 77 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…
25-BD-012H TSB2025-11-05Exterior LightingThis bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated…
24-AT-002H2024-04-09Power TrainThis TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic…
24-BD-001H2024-02-14VisibilityThis bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Equus. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Equus take?

7.2 qt of 5W-20 OR 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Equus have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Equus get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.