repaired · 2023 Q3
Electrical system: software
Risk. A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
2015 Hyundai SonataProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 1,157 owner complaints about the 2015 Hyundai Sonata, most often about the engine. It is covered by 9 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-749 the manufacturer reports only 53% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 9, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: EurovisionNim, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2015 Hyundai Sonata has problems
1,157 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
632Engine43 crash/fire/injury
168Electrical system20 crash/fire/injury
135Power train1 crash/fire/injury
78Fuel/propulsion system
74Steering
74Service brakes
61Vehicle speed control
52Structure
38Exterior lighting
20121 other systems25 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 632 | 43 |
| Electrical system | 168 | 20 |
| Power train | 135 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 78 | 9 |
| Steering | 74 | 4 |
| Service brakes | 74 | 15 |
| Vehicle speed control | 61 | 9 |
| Structure | 52 | 9 |
| Exterior lighting | 38 | 1 |
| 21 other systems | 201 | 25 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
9 recalls
2015 Hyundai Sonata recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2018 Q4
Parking brake: indicator light
Risk. 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…
repaired · 2018 Q1
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
Risk. If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2017 Q3
Air bags: frontal
Risk. An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.
Show 5 more recalls
repaired · 2017 Q1
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Risk. 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…
repaired · 2016 Q4
Front: buckle assembly
Risk. 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.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Axle assembly: axle shaft
Risk. If the left axle shaft separates from the transaxle, the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2015 Q4
Disc: caliper
Do not driveRisk. If a brake caliper fractures, brake effectiveness would be reduced, lengthening to distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2015 Q4
Electrical system: wiring
Do not driveRisk. The reduction of power steering assist can increase the steering effort needed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Hyundai.
Mileage at failure
When do engine problems start?
65kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 303 engine complaints. 76% were reported before 100,000 miles.
79under 30k miles230under 100k miles73100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Engine
27 owners mentioned a cost$1,700median
Middle half: $450 – $4,250
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2015 vs. every other Sonata year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sonata median. How we score
11162922263662349491242762053201992021651,0476964254603453,3801,5591,9217501,157730769375163183135988848174
'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2015 Hyundai Sonata safety ratings
2015 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (10.5% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Optional
- Lane departure warning: Optional
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2015 Hyundai Sonata, and the recalls they led to.
- Throttle control system vulnerabilitiesNo recall
- Loss of Motive PowerNo recall
- Electrical overstressLed to recall 20V-024
- Engine FiresLed to recall 23V-877
In owners' words
What Sonata owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
was driving my 2015 Hyundai sonata with my daughter and there was a really loud thump, like something came apart. there was instant smoke and really loud knocking and reduced power. Right after that, I pulled over into a church so I wasn't blocking traffic, and when I got out, there was oil coming…
I am writing to formally report a serious and potentially dangerous safety issue involving my 2015 Hyundai Sonata. At approximately 93,000 miles, my vehicle experienced a complete engine failure, which resulted in Hyundai replacing the engine. Unfortunately, I am now experiencing another serious…
On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, our 2015 Hyundai Sonata with the 2.4L Theta II GDI engine suffered a sudden, complete engine seizure while traveling about 75 mph on I-25 Southbound near Castle Rock, CO. A family member was driving. Warning lights across the car began flashing, the engine made a…
Own a 2015 Sonata?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.