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
262 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Oct 1, 2015, crash
I REAR ENDED SOMEONE GOING 35 MILES AN HOUR IN CITY. I HADN'T NOTICED TRAFFIC AHEAD WAS STOPPED AND HAD NO TIME TO REACT. .THE IMPACT WAS SO SEVERE THAT CHEST HIT STEERING WHEEL AND MY HEAD HIT THE DASH. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.MY IN TIRE FRONT END CRUMBLED CAUSING THE RADIATOR DAMAGE AND THE FRAME OF CAR TO BE BENT ALONG WITH ME COMING IN CONTACT WITH STEERING WHEEL. THANK GO FOR SEAT BELT OR I MIGHT HAVE HIT WINDSHIELD.SINCE NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED I HAVE BROKEN RIB AND 2 FRACTURES IN MY FACE. .
Vehicle speed control, Sep 18, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE RAPID ACCELERATION WAS A RECURRING FAILURE PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,700.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 11, 2015
SAFETY CONCERN: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SURGED FORWARD AFTER DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT BY IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR THEIR SAFETY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,077.
Tires, May 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TIRE (NEXEN CP671, MODEL NUMBER P21545R17) EXPERIENCED A DOUBLE BLOW OUT (FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES. ADDITIONAL TIRE DETAILS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
Air bags, May 11, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURB. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CUT ARM AND LEG THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. ..UPDATED 05-27-15 *BF UPDATED 9/17/2015 *JS
Steering, Apr 10, 2015, crash
ON THE EVENING OF 4/7/2015 I RENTED A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA FROM ENTERPRISE. THE NEXT EVENING, 4/8/2015 AT ABOUT 10:30PM, I WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE RV PARK WHERE WE WERE STAYING. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH AND HAD JUST DRIVEN OVER A SMALL BRIDGE THAT HAD A VERY SLIGHT BUMP AT THE END BEFORE THE ROAD CURVED SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT. AS I WENT OVER THE BUMP THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I FOUND MYSELF HEADING STRAIGHT INTO THE WOODEN WALL ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. I COULD NOT GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN TO THE LEFT, AWAY FROM THE WALL, AND CRASHED THROUGH IT. LUCKILY, BECAUSE I WAS GOING SO SLOW, I DID NOT WIND UP GOING INTO THE CONCRETE AND STEEL RETAINER WALL BEHIND THE WOODEN WALL, AND NO ONE WAS HURT. THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND THE WOODEN WALL, HOWEVER, WERE BADLY DAMAGED. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER ALSO HAD PROBLEMS GETTING THE STEERING TO RESPOND WHEN HE WAS BACKING THE CAR OUT OF THE WALL. IT FINALLY UNLOCKED AFTER HE KEPT AT IT FOR A FEW MINUTES. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Apr 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN DRIVING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE SWAYED BACK AND FORTH. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. UPDATED 5/12/15*CN
Steering, Suspension, Mar 28, 2015
THE CAR SWAYS BACK AND FORTH WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TIRES AND ALIGNMENT, WERE CHECKED AND EVERYTHING IS GOOD. CAN NOT STAY IN A STRAIGHT LINE FOR VERY LONG. SWITCHED FROM COMFORT, SPORT, NORMAL AND NO DIFFERENCE. IF THERE IS LITTLE WIND OUT THE CAR GETS EVEN WORSE AND DOES NOT STAY STRAIGHT. NO ONE AT THE DEALERSHIP CAN EXPLAIN AND SEEMS THEY DON'T CARE. *TR
Suspension, Jan 23, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD WHICH CAUSED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO SWAY. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jan 7, 2015
I PURCHASED A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA ON NOVEMBER 26TH, 2014. THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW WHEN I PURCHASED IT. ON DECEMBER 23RD I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF AFTER HAVING PARKED AND REMOVED THE KEY. I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE LIGHT TO TURN OFF, BUT I HAD A TRIP SCHEDULED TO VISIT FAMILY DURING THE HOLIDAYS. I WAS FORCED TO LEAVE THE CAR AT MY HOUSE IN ITS PRESENT STATE. WHEN I REACHED MY DESTINATION ON DECEMBER 24TH I CALLED HYUNDAI (LITHIA SPRINGS) TO TELL THEM ABOUT THE ISSUES AND TO ASK THEM HOW THEY WANTED TO HANDLE THIS ISSUE. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR IN ON JANUARY 3RD. WHEN I RETURNED TO GEORGIA I BROUGHT THE CAR TO HYUNDAI. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE I COULD SMELL A STRONG ODOR REMINISCENT OF SPOILED MILK. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY EXAMINED THE CAR AND INITIALLY TOLD ME THAT THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE BRAKE CLUTCH NOT DEPRESSING PROPERLY. AFTER THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THIS PART HE RETURNED TO TELL METHAT HE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE AND THAT HE SUSPECTED IT TO BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. HE REQUESTED THAT I LEAVE THE CAR WITH HIM SO THAT IT COULD BE WORKED ON AND PLACED ME IN A LOANER VEHICLE. I RECEIVED A CALL TODAY (JANUARY 6TH, 2015) AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ISSUE HAD BEEN ISOLATED AND THAT THE CAR WAS NOT SEALED PROPERLY AND WATER HAD CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES I WAS HAVING. [XXX]. TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REMOVED, CARPET REMOVED, DRIED, AND RESEALED. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN WITH THIS AND LET HIM KNOW THAT I WANTED THE CAR REPLACED IMMEDIATELY, TO WHICH HE DID NOT REPLY. HE TOLD ME THAT HYUNDAI MANUFACTURING WOULD MOST LIKELY NOT REPLACE MY BRAND NEW VEHICLE AND THAT ALL HE COULD DO WAS TRY TO FIX THE ISSUES. I AM TRULY UNHAPPY AND WANT MY MONEY BACK OR A BRAND NEW CAR. I HAVEN'T EVEN DRIVEN THIS CAR 1,000 MILES AND NOT ONLY AM I WITHOUT A CAR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Seats, Dec 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD REST FAILED TO REMAIN IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE REAR WINDOW IN ORDER TO REVERSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8.
Steering, Nov 11, 2014
THE STEERING COLUMN HAVE UNUSUAL OVERHEAT, THEY BEGIN TO WARM, AT 30 MINUTES OF NORMAL DRIVING , THE COLUMN HAVE 122 FAHRENHEIT DEGREES, IN THE INTERIOR, EXACTLY IN THE LEGS, ITS RISKY TO MY HEALTH PLEASECHECK IT, THE DEALER, REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN , BUT THE FAULT REMAINS. *TR