NHTSA (USA)CriticalPark Outside
At a glance
This page covers 19 recalls, 1162 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2015 Hyundai Sonata.
26–37 mpg combined
6.4–9 L/100km
Large Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2015 Hyundai Sonata draws complaints heavily concentrated around the engine, which accounts for well over a third of all reports filed for this model year. Owners most commonly describe sudden loss of power, knocking or ticking noises, stalling while driving, and check engine lights tied to engine failure codes, with a notable number specifically referencing code P1326, which the car's system associates with rod bearing or connecting rod issues. Several owners report the engine failing or seizing with little warning at highway or city speeds. The powertrain category adds reports of jerking, hesitation, and unexpected loss of drive while the engine remains running. Electrical complaints are less frequent but include charging system warnings appearing while driving and infotainment units becoming unresponsive. The engine complaints are by far the dominant pattern here, particularly stalling or power loss events occurring mid-drive.
1,162
Total Complaints
38
Crash-Related
49
Fire-Related
26
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 Hyundai Sonata has 19 recalls, the most serious involving a risk of engine compartment fire while parked or driving, front brake calipers that can fracture and sharply reduce stopping power, and a left axle shaft on 1.6-liter models that can separate and cause the vehicle to stop moving unexpectedly.
Several restraint recalls affect this vehicle: the front passenger seatbelt buckle can be damaged and fail to latch, and both front seatbelt anchors can detach from their pretensioners in a crash. The driver's frontal airbag may also fail to fully deploy in a severe collision. A wiring harness fault can reduce power steering assist and prevent the shifter from leaving Park. On vehicles with the panoramic sunroof, a bonding defect can cause the panel to detach at speed and become a road hazard. Sonata Hybrid models face an additional engine concern where connecting rod bearing wear can lead to stalling or fire. On the warning system side, the turn signal stalk can activate the opposite direction from what the driver intends, the parking brake warning light may not illuminate when the brake is engaged, and the ABS warning light may stay dark when the anti-lock brake system malfunctions. One recall covers headlamp bulb labeling that does not meet regulatory standards.
At a glance
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The Anti-Lock Brake System module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, potentially starting a fire in the engine compartment.
What the fix does
The ABS fuse will be replaced at no cost to restore normal brake system function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
An intermittent problem can cause turn signals to activate in the opposite direction from the driver's intent—for example, using the right turn signal activates the left signal instead.
What the fix does
Hyundai will mail you instructions to bring your vehicle to a dealer, where technicians will update the Smart Junction Box software.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely over time, potentially causing engine damage.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the engine and replace it if bearing damage is found. A software update with a new Knock Sensor Detection System will be installed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The parking brake warning light on the dashboard may not turn on when the parking brake is applied due to corrosion inside the switch.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the parking brake switch at no charge to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The headlamp bulb type markings don't meet Canada's lighting system safety standard requirements.
What the fix does
The manufacturer has updated production to prevent this marking issue. No vehicle repair is needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front seat belt linkages may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners, causing the seat belts to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the connections between the seat belt linkages and pretensioners at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wind deflector anchor plate on panoramic sunroofs may not bond securely. After opening, the deflector can partially detach and interfere with the closing sunroof panel, potentially causing the glass to separate from the vehicle.
What the fix does
The dealer will repair the wind deflector anchor plate.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bonding between the sunroof wind deflector and anchor plate can fail, causing the sunroof panel to detach while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair the wind deflector anchor plate at no cost to restore secure attachment.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A manufacturing error may prevent the second stage of the driver's front airbag from deploying during a severe crash, increasing driver injury risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's frontal airbag module.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's front air bag may lack a chemical enhancer needed for second-stage deployment, preventing the second stage from inflating in certain crashes. The first stage deploys normally.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The anti-lock brake system (ABS) warning light may not turn on if the ABS malfunctions while driving, leaving you unaware of the problem and increasing crash risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the software that controls your anti-lock brake system to fix the warning light.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ABS warning light doesn't illuminate when the antilock braking system malfunctions, so drivers won't be alerted to ABS problems.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the ABS control unit software at no cost to restore proper warning light operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Forcing the front passenger seat belt buckle tongue in at a sharp angle can damage the buckle, preventing the belt from fastening and triggering the warning light.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair or replace the front passenger seat belt buckle.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat belt buckle latch assembly may not work properly, preventing the passenger from fastening the seat belt.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair or replace the front passenger seat belt buckle at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The left axle shaft may be incorrect, causing it to separate from the transaxle differential during vehicle operation.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the left axle shaft and replace it if necessary at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Front brake calipers may have a manufacturing defect that causes them to fracture, reducing braking power and lengthening stopping distance.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the front brake calipers and replace them if necessary.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A pin socket in a wiring harness connector may have been damaged during manufacturing, potentially causing dashboard warning lights to turn on, the gear shift to get stuck in park, or power steering to weaken, making the steering wheel harder to turn.
What the fix does
All vehicles were inspected and repaired at distribution centers before being shipped to dealers.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A manufacturing error may cause one or both front brake calipers to fracture in certain 2015 Sonatas.
What the fix does
Hyundai dealers will replace the affected brake calipers at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A loose connection in the wiring harness may reduce power steering assist or prevent the shifter from moving out of Park.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair the wiring harness connection according to Hyundai's service procedure.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
