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
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 2, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MISFIRED AND TOOK A WHILE TO START. THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO FOUND AN UNKNOWN CODE, AND PERFORMED A HARD RESET. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CRENSHAW HYUNDAI DEALER LOCATED AT 330 HUFFMAN MILL RD, BURLINGTON, NC 27215, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CVT SENSOR MAY NEED TO BE CLEANED. THE TECHNICIAN LOOKED AT THE SENSOR AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 30, 2020
JUST BOUGHT CAR TODAY, 30 MINS INTO DRIVE HOME, CAR BEGAN TO SPUTTER, HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND SHUT THE CAR DOWN COMPLETELY. LOSS OF POWER, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HWY. NOT SAFE!! DEALERSHIP CAME AND TOWED CAR, BUT I AN VERY UPSET WITH PURCHASE.
Engine, Sep 20, 2020
OIL CONSUMES SUPER FAST. HAVING TO PUT MORE OIL IN AFTER OIL CHANGE AND ALSO HAVING TO TAKE VEHICLE BACK WHERE I GOT OIL CHANGE AND THEY ADD MORE OIL. THEY CHECKED FOR OIL LEAKS. NO LEAKS. CHECKED VALVE COVER GASKET (GOOD).
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 10, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY FOUR LANE I ENTERED A TURN LANE TO CROSS TRAFFIC. IMMEDIATELY AFTER I ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND STEERING, WITH A ALARM STATING 'HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING-DO NOT DRIVE'. ONE VEHICLE NARROWLY MISSED HITTING MY CAR, (AS IT COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER AND STEERING AND LEFT ME STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF ON COMING TRAFFIC). RESEARCHING TODAY I SEE THIS IS COMMON BETWEEN 2012-2016 ESPECIALLY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT WAS NARROWLY AVOIDED.
Engine, Sep 2, 2020
INTATKE MANIFOLD RUNNER PERFORMANCE THE ENGINE LIGHT SHOW UP ON DASHBOARD. THE DWELLER CHARGED ME #163.14 JUST TO BLOCK, AND THEY WANT #563.00 TO REPLACED THE DC MOTOR.
Engine, Aug 24, 2020
DRIVING CAR AT 45 MPH AND CAR STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 19, 2020
WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE FROM TAILPIPE AND BEGAN TO LOSE ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. VEHICLES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO NEAREST AUTO PART RETAIL STORE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. ERROR CODE P0014 CAME UP ALONG WITH 2 OTHER CODES. TOOK VEHICLE TO AUTO REPAIR SHOP. ADVISED THE EXHAUST SOLONOID HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH SPARK PLUGS AND GASKETS DUE TO BURNING FROM THETA 2.0L TURBO OIL FEED LINE. CAR NOT DRIVABLE BACK TO HOUSTON WHERE I RESIDE. WE HAD TO FIND ADDITIONAL TIME TO STAY AT HOTEL AND WELL AS PAY FOR TRANSPORTATION BACK HOME. MY CAR IS STILL IN SAN ANTONIO. RECALL WAS REPAIRED LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AGO AND CAR NOW HAS THE SAME ISSUE.
Engine, Aug 18, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK, HESITATED, AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UNIVERSAL HYUNDAI (12801 S ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL, ORLANDO, FL 32837), WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED TWICE UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A THIRD TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.*LN *AS
Engine, Aug 9, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WITH A 55 MPH SPEED LIMIT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR HESITATED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN THE SPEED LIMIT. I TOOK THE CAR TO AND AUTO PARTS STORE THAT HAS A CODE READER AND SAW THE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL WAS INDICATING A FAULT. THE CODE, P200A IS DESCRIBED IN A HYUNDAI TECHNICAL SERVICE REPORT FOR 2015 - 2016 SONATAS HOWEVER AFTER TAKING THE CAR INTO NEW PORT RICHEY HYUNDAI I WAS TOLD THAT THE SERVICE BULLETIN DIDN'T APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. IT IS A DANGER TO DRIVE WITH THE CONTROL UNIT FAILING AND MAY AT ANY TIME CAUSE THE CAR TO DECELLARATE.
Engine, Aug 7, 2020
EXCESSIVE OIL BURNING KNOCKING SOUND STALLS WHILE DRIVING
Engine, Aug 5, 2020
THE ENGINE IS KNOCKING WHILE TRYING TO PICK UP SPEED
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 26, 2020
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR LIGHTS CAME ON AND CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. I PULL OVER THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND MY CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED AND WOULD NOT COME BACK ON. I GOT A TOW AND WAS TOLD THERE IS A RECALL ON MY ENGINE AND TO TAKE IT TO HYUNDAI.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 22, 2020
WAS DRIVING ON SUNRISE HIGHWAY DOING ABOUT 55 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR START LOSING ALL POWER ACCELERATION AND WOULD NOT GO PASS 20/30 MPH. WAS ABLE TO GET TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY. BUT NOW CAR HAS ISSUES PICKING UP ACCELERATION. COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT.
Engine, Jul 22, 2020
IT BEGAN WITH A RATTLE LIKE METAL ON METAL WHEN GOING UPHILL. IT IS NOW A VERY BAD RATTLE WHEN ACCELERATING. WHETHER UPHILL OR NOT. CAUSE UNKNOWN WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM. I'VE HAD LOSS OF POWER. ALL OF THE RECALLS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER. 7TH HYUNDAI I'VE OWNED. IT WILL BE THE LAST DUE TO UNRESOLVED ENGINE ISSUES.
Engine, Jul 16, 2020
MY VALVES HAVE BEEN RATTLING UPON EXCELLERATION OR CLIMBING A HILL. I TOOK IT TO HYUNDAI TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC. WHILE WAITING THE SALES BUZZARDS STARTED CIRCLING. AFTER FINALLY BREAKING AWAY FROM THEM I WENT TO GET RESULTS OF MY TEST. THE TECHNICHAN TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW MOTOR AND GOOD THING I WAS TRADING IT IN. I TOLD HIM I WASNT TRADING IT IN AND THEN HE SAID I NEED TO DO A FEW MORE TESTS. OF COURSE WHEN HE CAME BACK IT WAS A DIFFERENT STORY. I NEEDED PLUGS. MY CAR STILL HAS SAME PROBLEM. THEY ARE WAITING AND HOPING MY WARRANTY RUNS OUT IN 10000 MORE MILES. WHY ISNT THERE A RECALL ON THIS MOTOR??????
Engine, Jul 14, 2020
VEHICLE IS GOING THROUGH ENGINE OIL VERY QUICKLY. NO EVIDENCE OF A LEAK, NO EVIDENCE OF BURNING. OIL LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN OIL IS LOW. WHEN I CHECKED THIS MORNING, MY OIL LEVEL DIDN'T REGISTER ON THE DIPSTICK - BUT NO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ONLY 100 MILES OVER MY SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE. LAST CHECKED 2 WEEKS AGO AND WAS FINE.
Power train, Engine, Jul 7, 2020
WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60 DOWN PAVED ROAD STARTED HEARING KNOCKING NOISE UNDER ENGINE NOISE GOT LOUDER WHEN I TRIED TO PUSH GAS BECAUSE IT FEALT LIKE I LOST POWER AND THEN SUDDENLY CAR STARTED VIBRATING AND THEN TURNED OFF. AND LOST ALL POWER. OIL LIGHT CAME ON FOR 1 SEC AND THEN TURNED OFF THE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN WENT OUT AND T HEN ROLLED TO A STOP. CAR TRIED TO START BUT WOULD NOT START. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE BECAUSE DEALER WAS CLOSED AND THEN TOWED TO DEALERSHIP 2 DAYS AGO STILL HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM AND I HAVE NO CAR TO GET BACK TO WORK. MY CAR HAS JUST TURNED 70,000 MILES AND SHOULD NOT BE GOING THROUGH THIS.
Engine, Jun 26, 2020
FAILED AC AND DRYER. *TR
Engine, Jun 13, 2020
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 70 MPH, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BLINKING, CAR WENT INTO SAFETY MODE, LOSS ALL POWER, CAR GETTING TOWED TO DEALER, STILL UNDER 100,000 MILE WARRANTY I HOPE, CAR HAS NO POWER NOW, ENGINE SHAKES, WE HAVE HAD SINCE 30,000 MILES AND HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN CARE OF IT. *TR
Engine, Jun 9, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO PEACOCK HYUNDAI COLUMBIA, 310 GREYSTONE BLVD, COLUMBIA, SC 29210, FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN EIGHT RECALLS, AND THAT ALL THE RECALLS WERE REPAIRED. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,738.
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 8, 2020
MY 19 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ALL POWER WENT OUT STEERING BECAME HARD AND BRAKES BECAME HARD. AND SOMETHING SMELLED AS IF IT WAS BURNING. WE ARE THE SECOND OWNERS OF THE CAR AND BARELY DRIVE IT. IT WAS PURCHASED 2 YEARS AGO AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE IS KEPT ON THE CAR. UNFORTUNATELY WE DON'T HAVE A WARRANTY ON THE CAR ANY LONGER AND STILL MAKING PAYMENTS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND AS WELL AS COST MY DAUGHTER HER LIFE IF SHE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO CONTROL THE CAR WHEN EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, May 28, 2020
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN "HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING. DO NOT DRIVE" THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE HILL. THIS HAPPENED 2 YEARS AGO AND THE DEALERSHIP SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, May 21, 2020
IN 2019 I HAD MY COMPUTER REPLACED WITH LESS THAN 60K MILES! I HAD EVERY LIGHT COME UP ON THE DASH BOARD. I'VE BEEN COMPLAINING TO THE DEALER SHIP ABOUT MY CAR RUNNING OUT OF OIL, THE ENGINE MAKES WEIRD NOISES AS IT CURRENTLY HAS LESS THAN 80K MILES ON IT. I HAD MY OIL CHANGED ON APRIL 15TH. 2020 6 DAYS LATER MY CARS ENGINE WAS MAKING NOISES CHECKED MY OIL AND I WAS DOWN ALMOST 2 QUARTS IN LESS THAN A WEEK. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ISSUES WITH IT. *TR
Engine, May 21, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THERE WAS AN ENGINE MISFIRE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURBO CHARGER, INTAKE AND GASKET WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SAN TAN HYUNDAI (3252 S AUTO WAY, GILBERT, AZ 85297) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THAT CYLINDER NUMBER FOUR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC WASTEGATE ACTUATOR WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000.
Power train, Engine, May 13, 2020
MY CAR ENGINE WAS RUNNING FINE BUT WHEN I STARTED IT THE NEXT MORNING IT STARTED SHAKING REAL BAD. KIND OF A KNOCKING NOISE LIKE A ROUGH IDLE. *TR