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: power train
18 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Aug 11, 2026
Failed engine due to class action recall
Power train, Jan 15, 2026
I was at a red light waiting to go an when it was time to go my car would not go. It was on it would not go into gear. It will reverse. It just won't go forward in auto or manual. Im the 1st owner of this car. I bought it new. I need Hyundai to take care of this problem. Asap please. It happened the car only has 133,718 miles on it and been serviced regularly since I bought it.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 19, 2025, crash
Drove my 2015 Hyundai Elantra on the coldest day of the year to an appointment. Car was fully warmed up. Pulled into a gas station to park and was going less than 3 mph, making a left hand turn into the space. Elantra suddenly accelerated hard and the car hit a cement pole, causing extensive front end damage. If car had full insurance coverage, it would have been a write off. Hood crumpled, radiator damaged, front grill broken, bent the engine bar in half. Significant damage but the air bag did not deploy. Had to have it towed home 35 miles. Damage was in the middle of the front of the car, so I was already in the parking space. No warning lights of any sort before this happened. Very dangerous and I would never buy another Hyundai. I bought this car brand new in 2015 and have had recalls taken care of (anti theft software one). Over the course of owning this car, other odd things have occurred as well, such as white smoke coming out of the engine upon acceleration, accelerated wear on the tires due to the back end, and engine will suddenly stop for no reason while driving (this happened twice) Inferior product!
Power train, Feb 18, 2025
The engine blew once at 38,000 miles and now the new engine blew at 85,000 miles (47,000 on this engine). The car was driving fine, 5 minutes into driving i heard a slight knocking noise, 10 minutes after that I was stranded on the side of the road.
Power train, Aug 1, 2024
The transmission failed as I was driving and the vehicle is available for inspection. My safety was put at risk as the car failed suddenly and I was stuck on the side of the road with my children. The problem has been confirmed by my mechanic. It has not been confirmed by the manufacturer, police, or insurance No lights were on previous and the car seemed to be just fine.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 28, 2024
Due to CDK Global cyberattack, I cannot complete my safety recall of my Hyundai Elantra 2015 (ABS Fuse that can cause engine to explode, according to Hyundai safety recall report). Hyundai does not allow dealerships to keep safety recall parts on hand (or a very small amount). I have to walk into the dealership to order the part. I cannot call to order the part. I have to constantly drive to place of work, home, sit in traffic, with a defective fuse that HyundaiUSA refuses to keep safety recall parts on hand. Please create a NATIONAL policy against manufacturers to have a minimum units (1000 units of fuses, parts, etc) as the safety recall occurs. Because dealerships cannot order parts due to this cyberattack. My mental anguish of driving a vehicle that cannot have a safety recall repaired due to parts not being able to order (especially if they can keep large amounts of units on hand at dealers), is through the roof! I cannot take time off, I have to drive to not be evicted, anything repossessed, etc. and where I live has limited transportation options, (and told to use ride share like Lyft or Uber). Insurance companies is unhelpful. If manufacturers say they cannot keep parts on hand, then how do they ship the parts so quickly, under normal operations? 3rd party mechanic shops cannot order these parts as the manufacturer has to complete the recall repair.
Power train, Sep 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the dealer to be diagnosed and the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,100.
Power train, Engine, Jun 24, 2023
When stopped at a red light or in traffic, (on many occasions), my car will suddenly surge and accelerate. It's leads no many near rear end collisions. Sometimes it leads up to my engine stalling. Also have shuddering (like it wants to die) when driving on freeway. The re has been to many incidents to keep track of.
Power train, Apr 13, 2023
Purchased car used with 60k mileage. Within 3 months notice car making a metal scrubbing noise and excessive shaking in in mornings when first started and cold but if car was warm no scrubbing sound and minor shaking. Took it to hyundai dealer to have checked was told they didnt hear the scrubbing and vibrating, I assumed they checked while car was warm. Continue to have same problem for about 2 years as well as car acceleration rapidly declining and skipping on acceleration.Suspected piston slap after reading description of many others having same problem as issue identical to mine, I recieved notification in mail however it stated I must be located in cold weather state and although my state does have cold winters, it wasnt included on the list so assumed I couldnt take part in the investigation or extended warranty. Now car is having a lot more acceleration decline and yesterday, was traveling about 60mph on interstate and without warning, car just cut off and steering wheel became stiff, I through gear into neutral and turn ignition and car cranked right back up and continued driving for another 20 min, then car rested for about an hour. Then I was returning home and was going about 35 to 40 mph and it done the exact same thing again, engine cut off without warning steering wheel went stiff and I had to put in neutral and car crunk right back up. I'm almost 100% certain my engine is one of the defective engines and I'm going to auto store to have codes read now but I dont know how to have hyundai fix my defective engine and I fear I could end up injured because of it
Power train, Engine, Mar 23, 2023
Transmission completely went out at 86k miles with no warning. No lights on the dash, no slow build of issues. Has always had regular maintenance since I bought the car at the dealership. Second owner, and car is paid off. Drove it one day with absolutely no issues, and the very next day, all gears were slipping and was not safely drivable. Was stopped at a stop light turning into work and when I put my foot on the accelerator, it went nowhere and I was stuck at intersection. Got it towed that day to a local repair shop since I was told my warranty for power train was expired, and have been waiting on a new transmission for 2 months now. The repair shop still doesn’t know when they’ll get it in, and will cost $4k to install. Mine is one of many they’ve said have come through with the same problem.
Power train, Engine and engine cooling, Feb 16, 2023
The contact's daughter owns a 2015 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking and stalling. The air bag, check engine, and various other unknown warning lights were illuminated, and messages were displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the failures could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and that while her daughter was exiting the highway, the vehicle stalled, and she had to turn off and restart the vehicle to continue driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the crankshaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that the failure persisted and was recurring more frequently. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,500.
Power train, Jan 5, 2023
The transmission has a TSB and I took it to the dealership and the service tech told me there are over 20 customers that have the same issue with the transmission jerking very hard and accelerating while taking off from 1st in automatic transmission also the car would just shut off while driving and you have to pull over and it starts up and was advised don’t get a used transmission because all of them are having the same issues also they have over 20 transmissions on back order I took the car to the Hyundai Elantra dealership on Blackstone ave here in Fresno ca
Power train, Nov 10, 2021
How is it even possible for the transmission to go out at 107,000 miles…… we did everything to keep up with car just to go out with low miles..
Suspension, Power train, Other or unspecified, Nov 10, 2021
Vehicle stalled while driving in the middle of road with on coming traffic. Failed transmission 6 yr Hyundai Elantra with 69,857 miles 2015 purchased in May 2016. Inspected by dealership Wayne Mazda, Wayne NJ. Since early October 2021 jumping, stalling during gear shifting especially drive and neutral Please be advised my 6yr vehicle with 69,867 miles requires a replacement transmission Purchased from Wayne Hyundai Auto Mall 5/2016 Wayne NJ How can I report and or research my rights as a consumer? Dealership failing to repair or replace due to faulty warranty.
Power train, Mar 11, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STANDSTILL AND ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.
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.
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.
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.