Let X be a linear space over K∈{R,C}, Y be a real or complex Banach space and f:Xn→Y. With some fixed aji,Ci1…in∈K (j∈{1,…,n}, i,ik∈{1,2}, k∈{1,…,n}), we study, using the direct and the fixed point methods, the stability and the general stability of the equation f(a11x11+a12x12,…,an1xn1+an2xn2)=∑1≤i1,…,in≤2Ci1…inf(x1i1,…,xnin), for all xjij∈X (j∈{1,…,n},ij∈{1,2}). Our paper generalizes several known results, among others concerning equations with symmetric coefficients, such as the multi-Cauchy equation or the multi-Jensen equation as well as the multi-Cauchy–Jensen equation. We also prove the hyperstability of the above equation in m-normed spaces with m≥2.