Worse than most Sonata years
Owners filed about 1.5 times as many complaints as a typical Sonata year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 66,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Sonata years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 1,156 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (650, 56% of complaints), followed by the electrical system and the transmission and drivetrain. That ranks 3rd of 13 Sonata years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 9 recalls.
6 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2015 Hyundai Sonata before you buy.
Engine and cooling
650 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 66,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
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 mechanical or electrical malfunction.…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Hyundai Motor America is explicitly refusing to honor the mandatory safety recall and lifetime warranty extension for a catastrophic rod bearing failure on my 2015 Hyundai Sonata (VIN [XXX]). The engine suffered a sudden internal connecting rod bearing seizure while operating, causing a complete loss of motive power and creating an…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Electrical system
168 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 57,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
This vehicle had a recall, 201, for the smart junction box. This was due to the blinkers not working properly. The software update was performed, however, the problem still exists. This was due to the smart junction box. Now, aside from the blinker issue, the ac stays on when the engine is turned off, lights come on by themselves, the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The vehicle was a private sale. The vehicle was purchased on March 1, 2026. The mileage at the time of the purchase was 41,486. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the odometer mileage was last reported at 223,718. The seller was not made…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 223,718 miles
Transmission and drivetrain
135 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
VEHICLE: 2015 Hyundai Sonata, 2.4L Theta II GDI engine Mileage at time of incident: [ 93k Date update performed: June 2026 Dealer/location where update was performed: Fitzgerald Hyundai Gaithersburg, MD DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM: After my vehicle received the ECM software update issued under Hyundai Service Campaign 9C2 (ECU Software Update…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Car stopped in the middle of the road , with warning beeps and warning messages on the dashboard saying "Check Charging System" .Engine was still running but even though I did accelerate - car did not move . I put on the emergency lights and turned off the car . Turned on the car few seconds later and was able to drive then but the check…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Brakes and stability control
90 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was turning into a parking spot and the car accelerated unexpectedly. I slammed into a snow bank and my front bumper was damaged.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Recall notifications for Hyundai campaign 251 but no remedy available since early 2023. Finally learned a remedy was available, made online appointment with my dealership (Future Hyundai of Concord, Concord, CA) but when I arrived for my appointment, they said they did not have the part. That was April 29, 2024. I was told to follow up…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Fuel system
87 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 41,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Issue- fuel pump/supply line causing fuel to leak and fuel smell around the outside of the car. This can cause a major fire, explosion, death for myself and others around me. Problem has been confirmed by auto repair shop. No warning messages on car dash board, just strong smell of gas. Replaced gas cap and smell is still there.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was parked on the side of the road and failed to immediately restart. The vehicle was later restarted and driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the local Auto Zone, but the cause of the failure…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 55,300 miles
Steering
74 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 63,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The steering column locks up. When start vehicle and make turn to get on road the steering locks up and cannot turn the wheel. This is safety concern and not safe to drive.Owner complaint, filed 2025
While driving a EPS light came in and the steering was extremely hard to drive. I was on the highway so I had to pull over to turn off the car and then turn it on. After turning it on it worked ok for a little and then messed up again and I couldn’t turning the steering wheel again. While driving in the highway my safety was at risk…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Lights, wipers and visibility
64 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles. Parts named most: Sun / moon roof assembly (10).
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the driver-side windshield wiper failed to function properly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the wiper blade was not making proper contact with the windshield due to a bent driver-side windshield wiper arm. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 26,400 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the panoramic sunroof detached from the vehicle. The hazard lights were activated, and the vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact attempted to close the cover and was able to close it halfway. The contact…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Cruise control and acceleration
61 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 3 mph and entering a driveway, the vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into a metal gate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated no air bags were deployed. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 63,000 miles
My engine light has been on for over one year. I took it to the dealership to see what was going on and to get an oil change. The dealership stated that there could be a variety of issues and that they would turn the light off and when it came back on to bring it back to them. The staff was not the most professional so I opted to not…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Body, doors and structure
54 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 26,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (47).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The vehicle’s sunroof just flew off the car at 31 miles per hour (the whole part), Hyundai had a safety recall for that and it was done in the past, the problem is that happened exactly what the recall were suppose to prevent, it was my wife and 2 kids on my car and I’m glad it was before she enter the highway, it would cause a major…Owner complaint, filed 2025
On Friday, April 18, I opened my panoramic sunroof on my car. When I did, the wind deflector became detached from the sunroof mechanism. So I attempted to close the sunroof and when I did, the would not close all the way and the sunroof appeared to become off track. No the roof will not close all the way leaving it popped open about an…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Seats and seat belts
35 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 28,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
Drivers side seat belt does not retract properly. If i pull it out a little too far when buckling then it will just hang there instead of retracting snugly so it provides the same amount of safety as having no seat belt on at all. Every time that I took my car to the dealer for different fixes I always brought that up and they always…Owner complaint, filed 2024
My Hyundai Sonata 2015 built in Alabama in on December 13, 2014. I recently found out that a problem I've been having for the last five years with my driver's seatbelt not retracting when it is disengaged, was a recall issue for Hyundai Sonatas 2011 through May 2014. I also found out when I contacted the NHTSA, that an auto manufacturer…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Air bags
25 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 65,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
My passenger occupancy mat señor is not working. It has been replaced by Hyundai several times and was a part of a recall. It was replaced in 2006 and 2007. They installed a new version of the senor mat, and the mat senor is defective again. I called Hynindia of America, and they said even though it was a recall and they fixed it as a…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the front passenger’s side seat air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and it was determined that the front passenger’s seat air bag sensor was faulty. The contact was informed that the…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 80,000 miles
Wheels and tires
19 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 16,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
We have had issues with tires not wearing equally and tears on the inner tire/s shortly after replacing. This has happened twice so far. This has lead to air loss, severe vibration, and pulling while driving. Most recently, both back tires were losing air with one back tire having a structural issue on the inner portion of the tire…Owner complaint, filed 2026
215/55 R 17 My right rear tire has been losing air for at least 6 months. My tire pressure light is constantly on. I had my tire inspected and was told all 4 tires are compromised. The mechanic told me that my tires were wavy??? and that the tread inside my tires were damaged and I needed to replace all 4 tires. He also said my car would…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Suspension
17 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
This complaint concerns a repeat failure of both front CV axles on my 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The CV axles and boots were replaced by Gettel Hyundai of Charlotte County using OEM parts in November 2024. The same components failed again just 7,876 miles later in January 2026; requiring a second full replacement. A CV axle replaced with…Owner complaint, filed 2026
2015 Hyundai Sonata 2.4L Hybrid with 35,333 miles has a broken front driver's side strut spring. Contacted Hyundai corporate and was told there is no recall on this year model. Dealer has been contacted regarding repair and they cannot inspect car till Dec. After research this looks the same as NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V629000…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Driver assist systems
15 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Parts named most: Automatic emergency braking (6), Warnings (6).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
Forward collision warning is frequently inaccurately sensing collision even when no other vehicles are on the road. I am now afraid to use adaptive cruise control because I fear sudden breaking especially when merging lanes.Owner complaint, filed 2023
ABS and Traction Control warning lights came on, then went out the next time I started the vehicle. They then did this a second time. On the third time, they stayed on. Brakes worked fine, and vehicle had plenty of brake fluid. Inspection at dealership revealed left rear wheel speed sensor malfunction. Research discovered that this could…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Hyundai Sonata complaints by year
Compare the 2015 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2015 midsize cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 Hyundai Sonata | Worse than most years | 9 |
| 2015 Toyota Camry | About average | 1 |
| 2015 Honda Accord | About average | 5 |
| 2015 Kia Optima | Worse than most years | 4 |
2015 Hyundai Sonata recalls
Lights Turn signal
- Risk
- A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
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 engaged, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake switch, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Windows, mirrors and wipers Sun / moon roof assembly
- Risk
- If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wind deflector anchor plate, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Air bags
- Risk
- An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
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 vehicle's brakes may lock up during hard braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control unit software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
Seat belts 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.
- Fix
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair or replace the front passenger seat belt buckle, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Transmission and drivetrain Axle shaft
- Risk
- If the left axle shaft separates from the transaxle, the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Hyundai will notify owners, dealers will inspect and replace the axle shaft, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Brakes Caliper
- Risk
- If a brake caliper fractures, brake effectiveness would be reduced, lengthening to distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Hyundai contacted the affected owners on June 19, 2014 and instructed them not to drive their vehicles.
Full recall summary
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.
Steering
- Risk
- The reduction of power steering assist can increase the steering effort needed, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
2015 Hyundai Sonata questions
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Hyundai Sonata?
The most reported problem areas on the 2015 Hyundai Sonata are the engine and cooling (650 complaints), the electrical system (168 complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (135 complaints).
Is the 2015 Hyundai Sonata a good year to buy?
Worse than most Sonata years. Owners filed about 1.5 times as many complaints as a typical Sonata year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 66,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2019, 2020 and 2021. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Sonata years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2015 Hyundai Sonata have?
NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The most recent, from Sep 2021, covers the turn signal. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2015 Hyundai Sonata problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 66,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 57,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Hyundai Sonata years should I avoid?
The Sonata years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012 and 2013. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2019, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2015 Hyundai Sonata?
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