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
1,144 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 1, 2020
THE CAR HAS FAILED TO START ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. I ENTER THE CAR, PRESS THE BREAK AND THE PUSH TO START BUTTON, AND THE CAR FAILS TO IGNITE. IT HAPPENS NORMALLY WHEN IT IS COLDER, BUT WILL STILL DO IT WHEN IT IS WARMER OUT.
Structure, Seats, Firerelated, Nov 30, 2020, fire
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE FIRE COULD HAVE ORIGINATED AT THE BASE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AND BODY.
Engine, Nov 30, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED OXMOOR HYUNDAI (8107 SHELBYVILLE RD, LOUISVILLE, KY 40222; (502) 894-3400) AND MADE THE DEALER AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,000.
Wheels, Engine, Nov 28, 2020
FIRST I GOT MY TIRES CHANGE 2 ON THE BACK AND THE TPMS HAS BEEN ON SINCE THEM , AND DRIVING FROM WORK IN THE INDUSTRIAL PART OF TOWN WHERE TRAFFIC IS HIGH HEAVY AND FAST DRIVING IN ALL THE MY CAR JUST QUIT WHILE DRIVING AT 2:30AM GETTING OFF WORK, SO A GUY I WORK WITH SEEN ME SLOWING DOWN AND GAVE ME A BOOST AND AGAIN BEFORE I MADE IT HOME IT QUIT AGAIN AND I LIVE 15 MIN FROM AND WHEN I STOPPEDI WAS ABOUT 9MIN AWAY. LIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING AND THE CAR SHUTDOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TTAFFIC. SO I BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY FOR ALMOST $200 AND THAT DIDN'T WORK IT STARTED FOR A MOMENT AND WENT DEAD IN TRAFFIC AGAIN .
Other or unspecified, Nov 24, 2020
JERKING WHILE ACCELERATING THEN SAYS 'HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING SAFELY STOP AND DO NOT DRIVE'
Power train, Engine, Nov 22, 2020
VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING WHILE DRIVING AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED DUE TO THE DECREASE IN ENGINE SPEED. IF I DIDNT QUICKLY PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE GRASS I WOULD'VE BEEN HIT. I COULD NOT DRIVE MORE THAN 10MPH AFTER THE DECREASE IN ENGINE SPEED.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 7, 2020
VEHICLE STARTED SLOWLY CRANKING FOR A WEEK OR SO AND THEN WHILE DRIVING IN A 55MPH ZONE, SPEED SUDDENLY DROPPED TO 20 MPH WITH CHOKING TO THE POINT OF PULLING TO A SAFE AREA AND HAVING CAR TOWED 11-4-2020
Steering, Nov 5, 2020
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE. NEARLY HAD SEVERAL ACCIDENTS TRYING TO GET HOME. I AM A 100% DISABLED VETERAN SUFFERING END STAGE KIDNEY FAILURE A% DAY/WEEK DIALYSIS. I CAN NOT SAFELY DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING AND AM ALARMED AT ALL THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH THAT HAVE ILLUMINATED. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE MGR 1ST TOLD ME THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. I REMINDED HIM OF THE PANORAMIC ROOF RECALL THEY DID. NOW HE SAYS MY CAR HAS NO RECALLS FOR THE POWER STEERING ISSUE CAUSE IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN JULY OF 2014. I PURCHASED IT NEW IN 2015 WITH ONLY 13 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. PLEASE HELP ME SORT OUT THE TRUE RECALL STATUS AND I WISH TO FILE THIS AS A COMPLAINT ALSO. [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 3, 2020
WHEN TRYING TO SET MY CRUISE CONTROL A MESSAGE POPS UP ON MY DASH SAYING SCC CONDITIONS NOT MET.
Engine, Nov 2, 2020
THIS IS OUR DAUGHTER'S CAR. YESTERDAY (NOV 1) HER CAR STALLED, WITH THE WARNING "HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING! SAFELY STOP AND DO NOT DRIVE". THIS TIME SHE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AND THE WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON WHEN SHE TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT'S HAPPENED. ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS THE DEALER'S TECHNICIANS DID NOT EVEN RECORD ANYTHING IN HER MAINTENANCE RECORDS. SHE UNDERSTANDS THIS IS NOT AN UNUSUAL PROBLEM, WITH MANY HYUNDAI HYBRID OWNERS OF THAT SAME 2015 MODEL YEAR, AS WELL AS OTHER YEARS, REPORTING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. IS THIS SOMETHING THAT IS BEING LOOKED INTO? THE DEALER PERSONNEL JUST SORT OF DISMISS THIS AS NO BIG DEAL.
Air bags, Oct 29, 2020
MY AIR BAG LIGHT KEPT ON LIGHTING UP ON MY DASHBOARD, IT KEPT LIGHTING ON AND OFF FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND NOW IT IS A STEADY LIGHT. EVERY TIME I START THE CAR NOW IT'S A STEADY LIGHT.
Steering, Oct 27, 2020
WHEN TURNED THE VEHICLE ON, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING HAD STOPPED WORKING.
Other or unspecified, Oct 26, 2020
ABOUT 10 PERCENT OF THE TIMES THAT A LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS SELECTED, THE AUTO SIGNALS A RIGHT TURN.. STATIIONARY OR IN MOTION, CITY OR HIGHWAY, DAY OR NIGHT.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 26, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND GRADUALLY SLOWED DOWN EVENTUALLY COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AND UNABLE TO START BACK UP
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Oct 23, 2020
HEAD LIGHTS RANDOMLY GO OFF WHILE DRIVING AND DO NOT COME BACK ON A LOT OF THE TIME.THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING A LOT AS OF 48000 MILES AND DEALER SAYS THEY CAN NOT FIND REASON.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 17, 2020
2015 SONATA HYDUNAI ENGINE MAKING NOISE , WILL NOT DRIVE PASS 40 MPH. ENGINE IS SHAKING AND KNOCKING AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THE HYDUNAI DEALERSHIP DOESN'T WANT TO CONSIDER IT'S NOT UNDER THE ENGINE RECALL HERE IN TEXARKANA, TEXAS.
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.
Suspension, Sep 21, 2020
ON 8/27/20 WHEN I RETURNED HOME FROM RUNNING ERRANDS, I BACKED INTO MY DRIVEWAY. THIS WAS AROUND 3PM AND I DIDN'T USE THE CAR FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. THE NEXT MORNING I WENT OUT AROUND 3AM TO LEAVE FOR WORK. AS I STARTED TO PULL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, I HEARD DRAGGING AND STOPPED THE CAR. WHEN I GOT OUT TO LOOK, MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THERE WAS NO INDICATION ON MY DASH AT THAT TIME. MY HUSBAND CAME OUT TO FILL THE TIRE FOR ME AND WE ONLY HEARD HISSING AIR. HE THOUGHT THAT IT WAS SO FLAT THAT IT WAS OFF OF THE RIM SO HE JACKED IT UP TO TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF OF THE TIRE. THE AIR WAS STILL BLOWING OUT OF THE TIRE SO HE REMOVED THE TIRE TO CHECK IT AND FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE THING WAS TORN ON THE INSIDE FROM A BROKEN COIL SPRING. I DON'T KNOW IF IT HAPPENED AS I BACKED INTO THE DRIVEWAY THE DAY BEFORE OR AS I WAS LEAVING FOR WORK THAT MORNING. ALL I KNOW IS THAT MY CAR HAS UNDER 63,000 MILES ON IT AND IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY, WHO KNOWS WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO ME.
Service brakes, Sep 21, 2020
TPMS MODULE FAILURE IN CONCERT WITH ABS MODULE FAILURE. RESULT IN INCREASED BRAKING EFFORT, WARNING LIGHTS AND SPEEDOMETER INOPERATIVE
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.
Service brakes, Sep 8, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO SOME BUSHES AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE REGAINED NORMAL BRAKING FUNCTION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT UPON APPROACHING A FOUR WAY STOP, HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL HOWEVER, THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT DROVE THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND ANOTHER VEHICLE SWERVED TO AVOID CRASHING INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE REGAIN BRAKING FUNCTIONALITY SOON AFTER THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 29, 2020
CRUISE CONTROL DOES NO ALWAYS ENGAGE