What 9 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Hyundai Equus

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 ODI 11363292

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 ODI 11291674