2015 Hyundai Sonata problems, complaints & recalls

2015 Hyundai Sonata recalls (9)

• Recall 21V749000Sep 24, 2021469,377 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

  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.

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 17V359000Jun 5, 2017161,074 vehicles
  PARKING BRAKE:INDICATOR LIGHT

  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.

  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.

  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.

• Recall 16V726000Oct 11, 201662,811 vehicles
  VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

  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.

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 16V232000Apr 21, 201633 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

  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.

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 15V678000Oct 20, 201564,744 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

  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."

  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.

  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.

• Recall 15V414000Jun 30, 2015128,804 vehicles
  SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

  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.

  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.

  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.

• Recall 14V784000Dec 9, 2014208 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

  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.

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 14V368000Jun 24, 201416,900 vehiclesDo not drive
  SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

  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.

  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.

  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.

• Recall 14V325000Jun 12, 20142,138 vehiclesDo not drive
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · STEERING

  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.

  Risk: 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.

NHTSA defect investigations

• DP22003Opened Sep 12, 2022Closed Dec 12, 2023

  Loss of Motive Power

  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complain…

• EA21003Opened Dec 22, 2021Closed Feb 5, 2024led to recall 23V877

  Engine Fires

  On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.  During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types.  The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine …

• DP21003Opened Nov 12, 2021Closed Jun 20, 2023

  Throttle control system vulnerabilities

  The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can b…

• EA19001Opened Apr 19, 2019Closed Sep 19, 2024led to recall 20V024

  Electrical overstress

  The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mount…

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

Recent 2015 Hyundai Sonata complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Oct 7, 2026FLEngine

   Ever since the 9C2 software update was completed on 94/26, the car is experiencing hesitations not only in the first few minutes of driving but after the engine is hot. It was driving perfectly before this update.

   NHTSA complaint #11769538 · source
2. Filed Oct 5, 2026NCOther / Unknown

   On May 28, 2026, the panoramic sunroof on my 2015 Hyundai Sonata became off track while I was driving. I could not get the sunroof back into its proper position because it was off track. I continued driving, and while I was traveling on the highway, the sunroof panel detached from the vehicle and flew down the highway. This created a serious safety hazard to me and other motorists. I was not the original owner and did not know the vehicle was subject to a recall. After the…

   NHTSA complaint #11769165 · source
3. Filed Oct 2, 2026NCEngine

   am seeking assistance regarding a sudden and unexpected engine failure with my vehicle. The Sonata only had approximately 80,000 miles on it when the engine failed. Prior to this happening, I had never experienced any problems with the vehicle. There were no warning lights or other indications that there was an issue with the engine, and the vehicle had passed inspection. The engine failure happened completely out of the blue. I have also kept up with the vehicle’s…

   NHTSA complaint #11768632 · source
4. Filed Oct 1, 2026CTEngine

   "I am filing a complaint regarding severe vehicle jerking, engine surging, and rough transmission shifting immediately following the completion of Hyundai Service Campaign 9C2 (TSB 26-01-013H-1) on my 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The vehicle exhibits dangerous hesitation and lurching during cold starts. This behavior creates a traffic hazard when pulling out of driveways or into intersections during the first 3 minutes of operation. The manufacturer has acknowledged this cold-start…

   NHTSA complaint #11768229 · source
5. Filed Sep 11, 2026VAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   After receiving the Hyundai Service Campaign 9C2 update on my 2015 Hyundai Sonata on XXX, I have started having jerky acceleration when the car is first started and am driving. Also, while driving at highway speed (~65 mph)) and I take my foot off the accelerator to coast, the engine RPM drops suddenly, anywhere from 250 rpm to 750 rpm, then recovers abruptly to where it was at prior to the drop (typically around 2000 rpm). The engine rpm also drops while driving at slower…

   NHTSA complaint #11763571 · source
6. Filed Sep 10, 2026VAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   In March 2026 Hyundai did an emissions update Campaign 9C2. Since that update my 2015 Hyundai Sonata SE has run rough and shifted hard. Hyundai stopped doing the update in May 2026. Hyundai has not provided any update to fix the problem they created. I am worried the update is damaging the motor and transmission of a car that was running just fine prior to the update.

   NHTSA complaint #11763289 · source
7. Filed Sep 1, 2026VAEngine

   The engine failed due to the known recall defect, dealer confirmed loss of compression in cylinders 2 & 4. I am a federal employee stationed overseas on official duty orders, and Hyundai Motor America is delaying safety recall remedies and buyback negotiations since June 9th.

   NHTSA complaint #11761235 · source
8. Filed Aug 27, 2026TXEngine

   Engine locked up, crank bearing failure, found out there is known failures with this problem and Hyundai had a class action suit against them in the past and issued lifetime warranty for this engine due to this problem. Took car to local dealer, Clay Cooley in Sherman TX, they have been great but Hyundai corporate has denied the claim stating lack of maintenance records. Car has 175,000 miles on it, I have only owned it for about 5-6,000 miles. I have changed the oil in it…

   NHTSA complaint #11759964 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology