Recall 16V117 affects 18,700 2011-2013 Hyundai Equus and Genesis vehicles for wiper motor corrosion. Repair is free at any franchised Genesis dealer.
Hyundai is recalling 18,700 2011-2013 Equus and Genesis vehicles under recall 16V117 because the windshield wiper motor cover seal can degrade and let corrosion reach the wiper motor circuit board. Loss of wiper function in bad weather can reduce visibility and increase crash risk, and a Genesis dealer will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The windshield wiper motor on the 2011-2013 Hyundai Equus and Genesis is the electric motor that moves the wiper arms across the glass. When the switch is turned on, the motor drives the linkage that clears water and road spray from the windshield. The motor's circuit board controls that movement, so it has to stay dry and free of corrosion.
On affected vehicles, the cover seal on the wiper motor degrades over time. Once that seal breaks down, moisture reaches the printed circuit board inside the motor. Corrosion on that board interrupts the electrical path, which leads to intermittent wiping or a complete loss of wiper function.
You can notice the wipers slowing, skipping, stopping and restarting, or failing to respond each time the switch is used. Reduced windshield wiper function is the warning sign before the wipers become inoperative.
Who's affected?
Covers Equus sedans from 2011 through 2013 and Genesis sedans from 2012, all tied to the same wiper system.
| 2011 Hyundai Equus | wiper system |
|---|---|
| 2012 Hyundai Genesis | wiper system |
| 2012 Hyundai Equus | wiper system |
| 2013 Hyundai Equus | wiper system |
| Units affected | 18,700 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
Wipers that stop working in bad weather reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash. Reduced wiper function is the warning sign before they become inoperative. If the wipers slow, skip, or fail to clear the windshield, avoid driving in rain or snow and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Genesis dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2013 Hyundai Equus or Genesis is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Genesis dealer to schedule the free wiper motor cover and seal replacement that protects the circuit board from corrosion and wiper failure.
- Bring the recall notice if Hyundai mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V117 when you call.
- Avoid driving in rain, snow, or poor visibility until the wiper repair is complete.
- Call Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151 with questions and reference Hyundai recall 140.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Genesis technician replaces the windshield wiper motor cover and seal so moisture is kept away from the wiper motor circuit board. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are free. If you paid out of pocket for a related wiper motor, cover, or seal repair before the recall work, Hyundai provides reimbursement through its submitted reimbursement plan. Keep receipts and repair paperwork, and ask the service desk how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 29, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 22, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 22, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| April 22, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 22, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V117?
Recall 16V117 covers 18,700 Hyundai vehicles with a windshield wiper motor cover seal that can degrade and allow corrosion on the motor circuit board. The corrosion can cause intermittent or total loss of wiper function, and Hyundai dealers replace the wiper motor cover and seal for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2013 Hyundai Equus or 2012 Hyundai Genesis is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V117. If it is, contact a franchised Hyundai dealer to schedule replacement of the wiper motor cover and seal. Reference recall number 16V117 and Hyundai recall number 140 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Hyundai dealers replace the wiper motor cover and seal free of charge. Hyundai customer service is available at 1-800-633-5151 for recall 140.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced visibility in bad weather. If the wipers stop working during rain, snow, or road spray, the driver has less time and less visibility to react, increasing crash risk. The free dealer repair addresses the wiper motor cover and seal problem.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for wipers that work intermittently or stop working completely. Those symptoms match the corrosion problem described in recall 16V117. If your VIN is included, schedule the free Hyundai dealer repair before relying on the wipers in bad weather.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V117000 |
|---|---|
| Hyundai customer service | 1-800-633-5151 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V117 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V117000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →