2015 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 1,144 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 34 involved a crash and 48 involved a fire. 32 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, turn signalSep 24, 2021
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sonata, 2016-2017 Sonata Hybrid, and Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch, which could cause the turn signal to activate in the opposite direction of what the driver intended.
A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 210.
Campaign 21V749000 on NHTSA.gov
Parking brake, indicator lightJun 5, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Sonata and Genesis vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the warning light to indicate that the parking brake is applied may intermittently not illuminate in the dash due to corrosion in the switch.
If the parking brake indicator is not illuminated when the parking brake is applied, the driver may operate the vehicle with the parking brake partially engaged, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 164.
Campaign 17V359000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, sun/moon roof assemblyOct 11, 2016
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles manufactured December 8, 2014, to August 18, 2015, and Hyundai Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to March 18, 2016, equipped with the panoramic sunroof option. Due to a bonding issue with the sunroof wind deflector, the sunroof panel on the affected vehicles may detach while driving.
If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wind deflector anchor plate, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 152.
Campaign 16V726000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalApr 21, 2016
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 29, 2014 to February 11, 2016, 2017 Elantra vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016 to February 22, 2016, and one 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicle manufactured October 15, 2015. In these vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may be missing a chemical enhancer required for the second stage air bag deployment, resulting in the second stage not deploying in certain crashes. The primary stage will deploy as intended.
An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 5,2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 144.
Campaign 16V232000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, instrument cluster/panelOct 20, 2015
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to August 21, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with an Antilock Braking System (ABS) warning light intended to warn the driver if there is an ABS malfunction. In the event of an ABS malfunction, the Brake System warning light will illuminate, but the ABS warning light will not illuminate. Since the vehicles have ABS malfunction lights that do not illuminate, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
If the driver is alerted there is a brake system malfunction, but not specifically with the ABS system, the driver may operate the vehicle unaware that the vehicle's brakes may lock up during hard braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 134.
Campaign 15V678000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, buckle assemblyJun 30, 2015
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sonata vehicles manufactured April 25, 2014, to December 4, 2014. The affected vehicles have a front passenger seat belt whose buckle latch assembly may prevent the front passenger from fastening the seat belt.
If the front passenger seat belt cannot be latched, an occupant sitting in the front passenger seat has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair or replace the front passenger seat belt buckle, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 130.
Campaign 15V414000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, axle assembly, axle shaftDec 9, 2014
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 1.6 liter model year 2015 Sonata vehicles manufactured August 29, 2014, to October 28, 2014. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with an incorrect left axle shaft which may result in the shaft separating from the transaxle differential.
If the left axle shaft separates from the transaxle, the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a separated axle shaft may allow the vehicle to roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Hyundai will notify owners, dealers will inspect and replace the axle shaft, as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 126.
Campaign 14V784000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, disc, caliperDo not drive until repairedJun 24, 2014
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sonata vehicles manufactured April 25, 2014, through June 16, 2014. Due to a manufacturing error, one or both of the front brake calipers may fracture.
If a brake caliper fractures, brake effectiveness would be reduced, lengthening to distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai contacted the affected owners on June 19, 2014 and instructed them not to drive their vehicles. Hyundai dealers will replace the affected brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 120.
Campaign 14V368000 on NHTSA.gov
SteeringDo not drive until repairedJun 12, 2014
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 2, 2014, through May 23, 2014. A poor connection within the vehicle's wiring harness may result in a reduction of steering assist from the vehicle's motor driven power steering system or the inability to move the vehicle's shifter from the Park position.
The reduction of power steering assist can increase the steering effort needed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai notified dealers to suspend sales of affected Sonata vehicles and has published recall bulletin 14-01-024 providing a service procedure to repair the affected vehicles. On June 7, 2014 Hyundai began to contact the affected retail customers. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 119.
Campaign 14V325000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
642 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 27, 2021
Check engine light on. Taken to hyundai dealership for recall repairs. At the time, 3 recalls on vehicle. Informed that check engine light was on due to recalls. Dealership kept car for 1½ weeks and notified me that 1 recall (filter) was not completed because parts are on back order. Dealership had me pick up vehicle and said that it is okay to drive car; however, after calling another Dealership, the Service rep informed me that cars should not be driven while engine filter recalls are open because it could potentially further damage vehicle. Vehicle has now been sitting in my garage for over 2 months and I'm making payments for a car I cannot drive.
Engine, Dec 1, 2021, fire
The connecting-rod bearings in the engine damaged. I've read that it was a recall problem in hyundai's engines. i have abnormal knocking noises from the engine, reduced power or hesitation, illumination of the "check engine" light.
Power train, Engine, Dec 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle began to vibrate violently. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing a new transmission. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
Engine, Nov 28, 2021
My vehicle started losing oil between oil changes. Not leaking on the ground. I looked it up and found out this is a very common issue. Just my luck. My vehicle now has major engine issues. Knocking in the engine, shaking. I looked it up and to not my surprise, very common. My vehicle is available for inspection. Safety wise I was traveling 70 on the interstate and the engine just quit and decelerated very quickly with cars driving by fast. I am getting the vehicle checked inspected Monday 11/29 I had it towed to a garage. I will also contact the local Hyundai dealer. No warnings lamps prior to incident
Engine, Nov 27, 2021
Hello, I took my car to my closest dealership Brandon Hyndai, because my car stop working properly. The car engine warning light came on followed by a knocking noise, when I try to accelerate , it reduce the power , it smells like burn.It’s been 3 weeks since my car has been sitting at the Brandon Hyundai dealership parking lot without a full diagnostic, the only thing they have told me it’s that it gave them the P1326 code that it’s engine related, but they needed to run more test before starting an engine replacement submission due to a recall.My car only has 69000 miles.I have been checking almost daily to see if they have done something but so far, they haven’t. They also didn’t provided me with a lender car, because they didn’t have one or so they say. I have waited patiently, but 3 weeks it’s too long for a diagnosis and I have been taking a bus to work because I cannot afford to rent a car , that the dealer is not even 100 percent certain if I will be reimbursed for it. It’s been an stressful 3 weeks and it seem this issue is not being taken serious, plus they also want to charge me 300 dollars for them to start the engine replacement submission, which I he agreed to as I don’t seem to have another choice. I am desperate, because I am not sure what will happen next. I had to call corporate and started a case with them, but it can take up to a week or more for them to contact me. The worst part is not knowing and there is no much information about it.And the coworkers at the dealership are not being helpful at all, I am not sure if because they don’t have much knowledge about it or they really don’t care about the customers.
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 24, 2021
I was driving at 55 mph and vehicle stall and cut off pulled side the road tried to crank back up and nothing happened. after each oil change no oil show on stick and also when i get an oil change they tell me barely any oil in vehicle. this has happened every since i purchased the veh on Dec 10 2019
Engine, Nov 13, 2021
Check Engine Light began flashing and Oil Pressure Light illuminated while operating vehicle under normal conditions on the interstate. Vehicle was pulled over and towed to local Hyundai dealership. The dealership states the engine has failed.
Engine, Nov 12, 2021
Engine started knocking out of nowhere took it to the dealership to see if I had a recall was told that I needed to replace engine which would cost between 8k-10k . The recalls for engines on Hyundai sonatas were for 2011-2013 and 2016 . Not really understanding how they skip a year with everyone with this year . I don’t have the money to replace engine
Engine, Nov 4, 2021
My car is burning through a quart of oil appx every 600 miles- this is NOT normal it's excessive oil consumption.
Engine, Nov 3, 2021
while driving about 6/7 lights on the dash comes on and the car stops. This happened several times and I took it to my auto mechanic Christian Brothers at Dacula, Ga. They said it is a soft ware problem and Hyundai USA does not accepts their are any software malfunction problems. Sometimes the car would start back again and other times it will not. Therefore I had to tow my car twice to the garage to have them check it out and fix it. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 1, 2021
I was on the highway coming home when my engine failed to go over 40mph i had to pull over on the side of the road and when we did the car just cut off completely this is the sencond time it’s failed since june of 2020, The turbo engine in my car keeps failing. I have the 2.0t
Engine, Oct 22, 2021
Sonata sport 2015 engine seized while trying to cross intersection of busy road, no one hurt cars swerved onto shoulder to avoid t-boning my car. The car was towed to the dealer and confirmed the engine seized due to the recall of engine that was sold defective. Denying claim bc the software campaign 953 was not performed, although I never received the notice. I am second owner bought car used from Hyundai Dealer.
Engine, Oct 17, 2021
The car stalls and the acceleration was very weak. Hesitation while driving. Jerking badly after going from a stop sign, stop light, or up a slight hill. Check engine light started blinking. I took it by Autozone to test the light. Comes out to be a knock sensor and wiring harness. I have a 2015 Sonata with 98,600 miles.
Engine, Oct 13, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a knocking sound was present coming from the engine before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine had failed. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer. The failure was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,455.
Engine, Oct 10, 2021
Turbo engine has failed does not go over 40 miles
Engine, Oct 3, 2021
Driving on highway car lost speed check engine light blinking. Got home car was knocking, I believe the rid barron or knock sensor failed. Can't drive it.
Engine, Oct 2, 2021
The vehicle is driven roughly 80 miles a month for groceries and doctor appointments only. It has 40,900 Mike's on it and began to continually have the check engine, ABS, and traction control lights come on. The vehicle once put in drive or reverse will increase speed on it's own, nothing faster than about 7-10 miles per hour on a flat surface. I also noticed when these lights are on and I am in park the odometer will jump from 0-80,90, mph randomly. The lights will not always stay on or come on, just occasionally. I did take it for inspection for the above problems and had to replace the intake and outtake valve on cam shaft and a sensor (may have named them wrong). Just want to o report in case others are having same issue.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 27, 2021
The contact's granddaughter owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while his granddaughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with low engine compression. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was not related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V226000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The contact attempted to inform the manufacturer of the failure on four separate occasions, but a representative informed the contact that they could not hear the contact and disconnected the call. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
Engine, Aug 2, 2021, fire
The contact owned a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, light gray smoke began to emit from under the hood with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle began to stall while the vehicle was being pulled off to the side of the roadway. The contact and two passengers inside the vehicle exited the vehicle and the smoke turned from light gray to black as the smoke became thicker. There was an abnormal popping sound before the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department was contacted and the fire was extinguished. A fire report was not filed. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,643.
Power train, Engine, Jul 26, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled with an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. There was oil leaking from vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed that the CVT transmission seal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred on July 20, 2021. The vehicle was taken to the same local dealer but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
Engine, Jul 25, 2021
I brought car in to see about engine light they told me it was a cvvt and it would cost $1700 which I couldn't afford they stated that because I did not get my oil changed there they could not cover it even though I had prrof of my oil changes from other companies. So took car to mechanic he stated that if I did have cvvt replaced in 6 months time I would have needed a new engine anyway . So he replaced the engine . I have done my homework spoke to numerous people and they have they same issue . How does a 2015 Hyundai with 104000 miles need an engine replaced
Engine, Jul 23, 2021
I experienced extremely high revving at idle(about 1500 rpm to 1750 rpm). I also experienced a dangerous loss of acceleration when trying to accelerate. I would put the accelerator to the floor and it would take about 10-15 seconds to reach a safe speed on a highway on ramp. Additionally I am consuming about 1/2 quart of oil per week. I change my oil faithfully every 3-4k miles and have documentation to prove it. My oil was down 2 1/2 qts at one point which I discovered by accident via my mechanic. There was no indication of this with the low oil indicator light. I only discovered this when my check engine light came on and my mechanic investigated the code.
Engine, Jul 22, 2021
Engine stalled and there was a loud knocking sound. Had vehicle towed to dealer only to be told that this is a known issue with Hyundai and we need a new engine. No loaner cars available and 36 people are in front of me with the same problem. No timeframe available for a resolution. Huge inconvenience. Called Hyundai only to be told that a case manager would call me in 7-10 days. If it’s a known issue, why haven’t they recalled the affected cars like last time?
Engine, Jul 18, 2021
It started with the engine stalling, then a pinging noise. Then the engine stalled permanently, and the noise in the engine became louder. The engine now has no power.
Engine, Jul 13, 2021
It started with the engine stalling, then a pinging noise. Then the engine stalled permanently, and the noise in the engine became louder. The engine now has no power. Unfortunately I am unable to trade or sell the car. It currently holds no value, as is. I have contacted Hyundai to make them aware of this problem.