VehicleVerdict

2015 Hyundai Sonata problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,636 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 8.0 times the median Sonata year — the 2015 model ranks #4 of 41 Sonata years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 58 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 627 reports (38% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

1,636

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

4

Investigations

61

Crash-involved

80

Fires reported

58

Injuries

4

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other Sonata years?

See all Sonata years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Hyundai Sonata problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine62738%
Electrical System18011%
Other16510%
Transmission1328%
Fuel System825%
Brakes795%
Steering745%
Speed Control614%
Body & Structure523%
Lighting382%
Visibility & Wipers282%
Airbags241%
Seat Belts211%
Driver Assistance211%
Tires & Wheels191%
Suspension171%
Seats141%
Latches & Locks20%

Does the 2015 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?

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

21V749000Electrical SystemSeptember 24, 2021 · 469,377 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

17V359000BrakesJune 5, 2017 · 161,074 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

16V726000Visibility & WipersOctober 11, 2016 · 62,811 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

16V232000AirbagsApril 21, 2016 · 33 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

15V678000Electrical SystemOctober 20, 2015 · 64,744 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

15V414000Seat BeltsJune 30, 2015 · 128,804 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

14V784000TransmissionDecember 9, 2014 · 208 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

14V368000BrakesJune 24, 2014 · 16,900 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If a brake caliper fractures, brake effectiveness would be reduced, lengthening to distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

14V325000Electrical SystemJune 12, 2014 · 2,138 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

The reduction of power steering assist can increase the steering effort needed, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

Engine failure while driving on freeway. Lost control unable to accelerate, almost got hit by semi due to inability to move out of way swiftly. All engine oil came out due to rod bearing punching hole in engine block and car started smoking, fire department said I had maybe 2 minutes before my car…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 24, 2022 · crash

Car was going approximately 50 miles an hour on a side street when warning lights went on, brakes stopped working, and the engine smoked and appeared to catch on fire. Car was steered into a parking lot and abruptly placed in park. Occupant grabbed valuables and quickly exited the vehicle. At that…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 3, 2024 · fire

Car fire. Car was brought in for service on a Saturday. Car started smoking on drive home. Called Hyundai and they said it was okay. Monday car was booked to be brought back to Hyundai because smoking wouldn’t stop and car caught fire. Incident 1/17/22. No inspection to date, no warning lights…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 17, 2022 · fire

HELLO, UNINTENDED ACCELERATION: MY 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA SUPERNATURALLY FLEW FORWARD WIDE OPEN AND CRASHED INTO MY HOUSE. 3 OR 4 AIRBAGS WENT OFF AND WHOLE FRONT END BAD. MY WIFE AND I WERE INSIDE WITH SEAT BELTS ON. WE HAD JUST DRIVEN BACK AND PULLED IN THE DRIVEWAY. I PUT IN PARK. THEN I DECIDED TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 4, 2017 · crash

My 2015 Hyundai Sonata has issues when switching from eco-to standard to sports, it constantly shakes when approaching a red light or stop.. my vehicle is constantly stock and vandalize and stole. Need you to easy assessability by thieves. this constitute higher insurance for me and consistent…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 1, 2022 · crash

2015 Hyundai Sonata — common questions

Is the 2015 Hyundai Sonata reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,636 complaints put the 2015 model at #4 of 41 Sonata years. It is one of the Sonata years to avoid.

What are the most common 2015 Sonata problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (627 complaints), electrical system (180 complaints), other (165 complaints).

Does the 2015 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2015 Hyundai Sonata under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hyundai Sonata years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sonata years to avoid are 2011, 2013, 2012, 2015, 2006, 2014, 2017, 2016, 2007, 2009, 2008, 2018, 2010, 2002, 2000. The cleanest record among Sonata years belongs to 1988.

How safe is the 2015 Hyundai Sonata?

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

Related

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