2015 Hyundai Elantra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 262 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 27 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 25 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMay 15, 2026
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra and 2016 Elantra GT vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.
An air bag inflator that ruptures may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or passengers, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Dealers will inspect and replace the air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 3, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated August, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 300. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 16, 2026.
Campaign 26V307000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, trunk lid, latchFeb 23, 2024
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the trunk latch base sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 256.
Campaign 24V146000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 22, 2023
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
Campaign 23V651000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
95 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Engine, May 14, 2019
I BOUGHT MY 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA FROM THE CARMAX IN OAK LAWN ILLINOIS IN SEPTEMBER OF 2018 AND SINCE THEN I'VE EXPERIENCED A FEW PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AND CARMAX IS ONLY TELLING ME THAT IT WAS A PLASTIC BAG ON THE EXHAUST PIPE AND THAT IT WILL BURN OFF ON ITS OWN. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THEM ON APRIL 17, 2019 AND TODAY IS MAY 14, 2019 AND I'M ALMOST POSITIVE THAT IT DOESN'T TAKE A WHOLE MONTH FOR A BAG TO BURN OFF AN EXHAUST PIPE. ALSO I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT MY BRAKE SYSTEM, WHEN I BRAKE THE CAR ACTS LIKE IT'S STALLING AND IT MAKES A CLICKING NOISE AS IF THE CAR IS ON ICE AND THE EXTRA BRAKE IS HELPING THE VEHICLE TO STOP. I KNOW THIS ISN'T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN THIS WAY. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN THAT TRAVEL IN THIS VEHICLE EVERYDAY AND I CAN'T DRIVE A FAULTY VEHICLE AND SOMETHING HAPPENS TO THEM WHILE DRIVING IT.
Power train, Engine, Apr 17, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY AND WOULD STALL. THE FAILURE LEFT THE CONTACT STRANDED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. WALSER HYUNDAI (8100 LAKELAND AVE N, BROOKLYN PARK, MN 55445, (651) 705-0151) WAS NOTIFIED AND REPLACED THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE ASSEMBLIES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ASKED FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Engine, Apr 1, 2019
VERY LOUD TICKING NOISE FROM ENGINE. WOULD NOT STOP WHEN CAR WAS WARMED UP AS I WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD BY THE DEALER IN THE FALL OR 2018. CONTINUALLY GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER AND I KNEW IT WAS NOT RIGHT. TOOK TO DEALER HAVE BEEN TOLD NEEDS A BRAND NEW ENGINE. FAULTY PISTONS.
Engine, Mar 29, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD ABNORMAL NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. BILLION AUTO HYUNDAI (3401 W 41ST ST, SIOUX FALLS, SD 57106) DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Mar 5, 2019
VEHICLE WAS MAKING A "TICKING" SOUND. GETS LOUDER AS YOU ACCELERATE. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC - ADVISED PISTONS/ENGINE ARE CAUSING SOUND TO CONTACT HYUNDAI DEALER AS THERE HAS BEEN MANY ISSUES WITH THE CARS ENGINES. CAN DRIVE THE CAR AT THIS TIME, WAITING ON DEALER TO RESPOND AND HOPE ENGINE DOESN'T BLOW UP ON ME. CAR ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES.
Engine, Mar 1, 2019
MY ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A CLICKING NOISE IN JANUARY 2019. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT AND THE BATTERY LIGHT ALL WOULD START FLASHING WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND MY ENGINE WOULD DIE. I TOOK IT TO MY CAR DEALERSHIP, WHO SAID THEY COULDN'T TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT, BUT THAT IT WAS COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY SO THEY ARE REPLACING IT. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND NOTICED MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT CARS BUT I DO KNOW THAT AN ENGINE TOTALLY DYING AT 58,000 IS NOT GOOD. THEY DID MENTION THAT THEY WOULD CHECK THE OIL FOR METAL SHAVINGS. I LOOKED THAT UP ONLINE, WHICH HAPPENS WHEN AN ENGINE IS POORLY MADE AND THE MOTORS ARE SCRAPING AGAINST EACH OTHER, PRODUCING METAL SHAVINGS, WHICH THEN GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE ENGINE THROUGH THE OIL. EVERY TIME THE ENGINE DIED I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET, GOING ABOUT 30 MPH.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 22, 2018
2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH 43,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR VIBRATES AND SHAKES WHILE IN THE DRIVE OR REVERSE WHEN STOPPED WITH THE DRIVER'S FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE VIBRATION AND SHAKING VARY IN INTENSITY. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE CLEANED DUE TO ROUGH IDLE. I HAD THE SERVICE PERFORMED AND IT HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HYUNDIA NEEDS TO ADDRESS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 13, 2018
WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FOR YEARS NOW. 2 OF THE ISSUES THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT EVEN FIX THE PROBLEM. ON 11/15/2016 WITH 12185 MILES ON THE CAR, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY ON THE CAR. ON 05/22/2017 WITH 15516 MILES ON THE CAR, WE HAD TO REPLACE (2) TIRES ON THE CAR BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE BALD. ON 11/03/2017 WITH 18268 ON THE CAR, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE OTHER (2) TIRES ON THE CAR BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE BALD. WE HAD PROBLEM WITH THE CAR STALLING. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR.ON 01/18/2018 WITH 20747 MILES ON THE CAR. WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH A SOUND WHEN THE CAR STARTS. WHEN THE CAR STARTS IT SOUNDS LIKE METAL CLINKING. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE CAR IS COLD IN THE MORNING OR ANYTIME OF THE DAY. WHEN I START THE CAR, IT MAKES THIS SOUND. I HAD TO TAPE THE SOUND SO THE SERVICE ADVISOR COULD HEAR THE SOUND. THE TECH COULD NOT HEAR IT. 02/08/2018 WITH 20749 MILES ON THE CAR. WE STILL HAD THE PROBLEM WITH A SOUND WHEN THE CAR STARTED. WHEN THE CAR STARTS IT SOUNDS LIKE METAL CLINKING.THE DEALERSHIP KEPT THE CAR OVERNIGHT. THE NEXT DAY THE TECH DID HEAR THE SOUND. THEY TESTED THE ALTERNATOR AND IT WAS BAD. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR ON THE CAR. AFTER THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR I STILL HAD THE SAME SOUND AS BEFORE. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ALTERNATOR DID NOT STOP THE SOUND. 03/20/2018 WITH 20802 MILES ON THE CAR. WE ARE STILL HAVING THE SAME SOUND WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT TIME OF THE DAY THE CAR IS STARTED, THE SAME SOUND HAPPENS. IT SOUNDS LIKE A METAL CLINKING. I HAD A TAPE OF THE SOUND, THE TECH DID NOT HEAR A THING. WE ARE STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SOUND WHEN THE CAR STARTS. I AM SCARED TO START THE CAR BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. I AM SCARED IT MIGHT BLOW UP WHEN THE CAR STARTS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE.
Steering, Engine, Aug 1, 2018
MY ELANTRA 2015 ( 70 K) SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING
Engine, Jul 27, 2018
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH APPROXIMATELY 35000 MILES ON IT, AND SINCE THAT TIME, ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THERE IS A BRIEF LACK OF RESPONSE FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO GET UP TO SPEED WHEN MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, OR EVEN WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN ROLLING, AND WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS PEDAL THERE IS A 2-3 SECOND HESITATION FROM THE ACCELERATOR. THIS ONLY HAPPENS ONCE IN A WHILE. DUE TO IT NOT HAPPENING EVERY TIME, IT IS HARD TO DUPLICATE AT THE MECHANIC SHOP FOR TESTING.
Engine, Jun 8, 2018
2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE FAILURE. *LD
Engine, Apr 17, 2018
CAR STALLS WHEN EVER IDLING OR COMING TO A STOP.
Engine, Apr 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE ENGINE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER (STEW HANSEN HYUNDAI, 11344 HICKMAN RD, CLIVE, IA 50325, (515) 253-3000) WAS CONTACTED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE SHORT BLOCK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Engine, Mar 1, 2018
MY 2015 ELANTRA STARTED TO MAKE A TICKING NOISE WHILE PARKED AND WHILE ACCELERATING AT 50,000 MILES. THERE WAS NO NOTICEABLE CHANGE IN DRIVING PERFORMANCE AND NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS TURNED ON. WITHIN A WEEK I BROUGHT IT TO A HYUNDAI DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TO DIAGNOSE THE NOISE. I WAS TOLD THE OIL HAD METAL SHAVINGS IN IT AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES PRIOR TO THIS.
Power train, Engine, Feb 21, 2018, crash
ONE MORNING I STARTED MY CAR LIKE ANY NORMAL DAY AND THERE WAS A TICKING SOUND. IT WAS COLD OUT THAT MORNING SO I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT BUT I TOOK IT TO GET ITS OIL CHANGED THE NEXT DAY AND THATS THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS SOMETHING INTERNAL AND I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS AN ENGINE KNOCK AND THAT THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT WAS TO BASICALLY GET A NEW ENGINE.
Engine, Feb 8, 2018
STARTING A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING A RATTLING NOISE WHILE IN PARK AND WHILE IN DRIVE (ESPECIALLY WITH ACCELERATING). NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO GET SERVICED AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE METALLIC SHAVINGS IN THE OIL TO SUPPORT THAT THERE IS LOWER ENGINE FAILURE (CRANKSHAFT WITH TOO MUCH CLEARANCE) AND THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE. I WENT TO OTHER AUTO SHOPS AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 76,000 MILES AND HAS RECEIVED REGULAR MAINTENANCE WITH OIL CHANGES EVERY 5,000 MILES.
Engine, Feb 1, 2018
ENGINE STARTED MAKING A TICKING NOISE WITH NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. RAN FINE AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN OIL, CAUSED FROM EITHER A BAD MAIN OR ROD BEARING. CAR HAD 37,000 MILES AND THE OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES.
Engine, Jan 15, 2018
CAR CUT OFF. WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE. MY CAR IS A 2015 AND ONLY HAS 74,000 MILES ON IT.
Engine, Jan 3, 2018
HIGH OIL PRESSURE CAUSED OIL FILTER TO FAIL
Engine, Feb 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH OR LESS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED OFTEN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE RPMS IDLED HIGH AND LOW AT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.