2015 Hyundai Elantra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2015 Hyundai Elantra carries two red flags at once: 352 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 1.7× the Elantra norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Elantra years to avoid. Complainants reported 36 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 92 reports (26% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

352

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations · 1 open

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other Elantra years?

Elantra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Elantra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Hyundai Elantra problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Engine	92	26%	▼ down
Brakes	55	16%	▼ down
Other	48	14%	— flat
Steering	25	7%	— flat
Electrical System	24	7%	▼ down
Airbags	23	7%	▼ down
Transmission	17	5%	— flat
Speed Control	15	4%	▼ down
Body & Structure	14	4%	▲ up
Tires & Wheels	10	3%	— flat
Fuel System	10	3%	▼ down
Suspension	9	3%	▼ down
Lighting	5	1%	▼ down
Seat Belts	3	1%	▼ down
Seats	1	0%	— flat
Driver Assistance	1	0%	— flat

Does the 2015 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V307000AirbagsMay 14, 2026 · 3,493 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An air bag inflator that ruptures may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or passengers, increasing the risk of injury or death.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 13, 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.

24V146000Latches & LocksFebruary 23, 2024 · 186,588 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

23V651000BrakesSeptember 22, 2023 · 1,649,478 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

AQ23002

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kiaâs defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 14, 2018 · crash

“When you go to stop at a stop.sihn or in general it fails to do so. It locks up an I slide an almost hit people multiple times. Today I was backing out of a parking lot an when I went to turn my steering wheel straight it locked up an failed to let me counter steer it. Causing me to go over a curb…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 18, 2023 · crash

“THE ELANTRA THAT HAD 18000 MILES ON IT BURST INTO FLAMES AFTER SETTING OVERNIGHT. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THE NIGHT BEFORE AND IT BURST INTO FLAMES IN MY DRIVEWAY AND COMPLETELY BURNED UP. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO COME OUT AND PUT THE CAR OUT. THEY INVESTIGATED THE FIRE AND FOUND THERE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 13, 2016 · fire

“When you go to stop at a stop.sihn or in general it fails to do so. It locks up an I slide an almost hit people multiple times. Today I was backing out of a parking lot an when I went to turn my steering wheel straight it locked up an failed to let me counter steer it. Causing me to go over a curb…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 18, 2023 · crash

“I BEGAN MY LEASE ON MY ELANTRA IN SEPT OF 2014. AT MY YEAR ANNIVERSARY I HAD IT SERVICED BY THE DEALER OF THE LEASE AND WAS GIVEN A CLEAN BILL OF CAR HEALTH. HOWEVER, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CAR HAD, AS I CALLED IT, "A MIND OF ITS OWN" MEANING THAT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, USUALLY SOMEWHERE AROUND…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 18, 2015 · fire

2015 Hyundai Elantra — common questions

Is the 2015 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 352 complaints put the 2015 model at #13 of 37 Elantra years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Elantra years to avoid.

What are the most common 2015 Elantra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (92 complaints), brakes (55 complaints), other (48 complaints).

Does the 2015 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Hyundai Elantra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2015 Hyundai Elantra under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Hyundai Elantra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Elantra years to avoid are 2013, 2017, 2012, 2011, 2014, 2010, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2018, 2016, 2007, 2015, 2020, 2019, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1994, 1992, 1993. The cleanest record among Elantra years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2015 Hyundai Elantra?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 Hyundai Elantra earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2015 compare to other Elantra years?

What are the most common 2015 Hyundai Elantra problems?

Does the 2015 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

Open NHTSA investigations

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2015 Hyundai Elantra — common questions

Is the 2015 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

What are the most common 2015 Elantra problems?

Does the 2015 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

Is the 2015 Hyundai Elantra under NHTSA investigation?

Which Hyundai Elantra years should you avoid?

How safe is the 2015 Hyundai Elantra?

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