2015 Hyundai Sonata

Showing the 2015 Sonata Sport. EPA's version Sonata Sport Limited shows it with a 2.4 L engine, but that may not be every version of it, so the numbers below cover every version of this model year. Every version

Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 17, 2026.

About every 2015 Sonata

The 2015 Hyundai Sonata has 2 recall campaigns marked do-not-drive. Engine is the part owners complain about most, with 648 owner complaints out of 1,207 total complaints filed with NHTSA. Combined mpg ranges from 24 to 37, with a 5-year fuel cost of $8,780 to $13,530 at U.S. average prices. NHTSA gives it 5 overall stars. Its 12 recall campaigns may apply to brakes, electrical system, steering, and others.

Written by AI from public EPA and NHTSA data. Not a review.

Fuel economy
24–37 mpgcombined; city 21–35, highway 30–38; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$8,780–$13,530U.S. average; Ohio $7,840–$12,090 at local prices; every version of this model year; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026
NHTSA overall safety rating
5 starslowest across the versions NHTSA tested
Recall campaigns
12over its history; check a VIN for open ones
Owner complaints
1,207filed with NHTSA; not adjusted for sales

Trims

NHTSA's VIN data lists these trims for the 2015 Sonata. A trim's engine and numbers are shown as its own only where EPA names versions after the trim and no other version could be it; "seen with" means a source shows that engine on the trim, not that it was the only one. Recalls and complaints cover the whole model year: whether a recall applies to a car depends on its VIN, on NHTSA's recall lookup.

Problems owners report

Owners have filed 1,207 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Sonata. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.

Complaints by part of the car
PartComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine64843610
Electrical system19151711
Unknown or other1725125
Power train142204
Service brakes8111510
Fuel/propulsion system79354
Steering75404
Vehicle speed control65903
Structure53622
Exterior lighting38010
Air bags268010
Engine and engine cooling23030
20 more parts
Seat belts22205
Suspension19100
Visibility/wiper17000
Wheels15100
Seats14012
Electronic stability control (ESC)13311
Forward collision avoidance13201
Visibility13000
Fuel system, gasoline9000
Service brakes, hydraulic7110
Lane departure4000
Parking brake4000
Tires4000
Equipment3000
Hybrid propulsion system2100
Latches/locks/linkages2000
Service brakes, air2000
Traction control system2000
Equipment adaptive/mobility1000
Firerelated1010

Complaints by model year

Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.

  1. 20061,047
  2. 2007696
  3. 2008425
  4. 2009460
  5. 2010345
  6. 20113,473
  7. 20121,712
  8. 20132,024
  9. 2014778
  10. 20151,207
  11. 2016886
  12. 2017878
  13. 2018383
  14. 2019172
  15. 2020196
  16. 2021189
  17. 2022113
  18. 2023102
  19. 202455
  20. 202528
  21. 20266

Every Sonata year side by side

Recalls

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2015 Sonata over its history. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

NHTSA campaign 23V651000 · reported Sep 22, 2023 · 1,649,478 vehicles potentially affected

Park outside

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.

NHTSA's record and documents

Electrical system: software; Exterior lighting: turn signal

NHTSA campaign 21V749000 · reported Sep 24, 2021 · 469,377 vehicles potentially affected

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Seat belts: front; Seat belts: pretensioner

NHTSA campaign 17V617000 · reported Oct 4, 2017 · 443,545 vehicles potentially affected

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152. The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.

Risk: If the seat belt linkage detaches from the seat belt anchorage, it can not properly restrain the occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will again verify the connection between the seat belt linkage and the pretensioner and additionally install a warning label to prevent future seat belt linkage detachment, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 169.

NHTSA's record and documents

Parking brake: indicator light

NHTSA campaign 17V359000 · reported Jun 5, 2017 · 161,074 vehicles potentially affected

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Seat belts: front

NHTSA campaign 17V152000 · reported Mar 8, 2017 · 977,778 vehicles potentially affected

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.

Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners and dealers will inspect the connection between the seat belt linkages and the seat belt anchor pretensioners, repairing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 7, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for the recall is 160.

NHTSA's record and documents

Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

NHTSA campaign 16V726000 · reported Oct 11, 2016 · 62,811 vehicles potentially affected

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Air bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 16V232000 · reported Apr 21, 2016 · 33 vehicles potentially affected

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

NHTSA campaign 15V678000 · reported Oct 20, 2015 · 64,744 vehicles potentially affected

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Seat belts: front

NHTSA campaign 15V414000 · reported Jun 30, 2015 · 128,804 vehicles potentially affected

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Power train: axle assembly

NHTSA campaign 14V784000 · reported Dec 9, 2014 · 208 vehicles potentially affected

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components

NHTSA campaign 14V368000 · reported Jun 24, 2014 · 16,900 vehicles potentially affected

Do not drive until repaired

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Electrical system: wiring; Steering

NHTSA campaign 14V325000 · reported Jun 12, 2014 · 2,138 vehicles potentially affected

Do not drive until repaired

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's record and documents

Service bulletins and investigations

Carmakers sent NHTSA 303 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2015 Sonata, the latest on Oct 8, 2026. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.

The parts they mention most: electrical system (92), equipment (73), engine and engine cooling (69), engine (45), power train (35).

NHTSA defect investigations

Opening an investigation isn't a finding of a defect. Outcomes are as NHTSA's summary states them. A recall is shown as an investigation's outcome only where NHTSA's summary names it; other recalls NHTSA's file lists with it are marked as listed, not caused.

InvestigationPartOpenedStatus
Audit query AQ23002
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires · covers 3 makes
Service brakes, hydraulicNov 17, 2023Open
NHTSA's summary names recall 20V520000, 20V543000, 21V161000, 21V160000, 21V303000, 22V056000, 22V810000, 23V651000, 16V815000, 20V518000, 20V519000, 21V137000, 21V331000, 22V051000, 22V800000, 23V652000
NHTSA's record and documents
Defect petition DP22005
Pedestrian alert sounds · covers 43 makes
Electrical systemJan 27, 2023Closed Aug 7, 2023
Petition withdrawn
NHTSA's record and documents
Defect petition DP22003
Loss of Motive Power · covers 3 makes
EngineSep 12, 2022Closed Dec 12, 2023
Petition denied
NHTSA's record and documents
Engineering analysis EA21003
Engine Fires · covers 2 makes
EngineDec 22, 2021Closed Feb 5, 2024
NHTSA's summary names recall 15V568000, 17V226000, 20V746000, 21V727000, 17V224000, 19V120000, 20V750000, 21V844000, 23V877000
NHTSA's record and documents
Defect petition DP21003
Throttle control system vulnerabilities · covers 2 makes
Vehicle speed controlNov 12, 2021Closed Jun 20, 2023
Petition denied
NHTSA's record and documents
Engineering analysis EA19001
Electrical overstress · covers 11 makes
Air bagsApr 19, 2019Closed Sep 19, 2024
NHTSA's summary names recall 16V668000, 18E043000, 18V137000, 18V363000, 20V024000
NHTSA's record and documents

Maintenance

Oil

The owner's manual gives the oil and how often to change it. We show oil facts only once we've checked them against the manual, and we haven't yet for the 2015 Sonata.

Oil change near you: Jiffy Lube · Take 5

Used ones for sale

See used 2015 Hyundai Sonatas for sale on: Autotrader · CarMax

These are searches on those sites; we don't copy or check their listings. Your ZIP is used for these links and never kept.

Specs

EPA class: large cars. EPA greenhouse gas score: 6–9 out of 10. Each version EPA tested:

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCity / hwy / comb
Sonata
Front-Wheel Drive
1.6 L, 4 cyl, turboAutomatic (AM7)Regular Gasoline28 / 36 / 31
Sonata
Front-Wheel Drive
2.4 L, 4 cylAutomatic (S6)Regular Gasoline24 / 36 / 28
Sonata
Front-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turboAutomatic (S6)Regular Gasoline22 / 31 / 26
Sonata Hybrid
Front-Wheel Drive
2.4 L, 4 cylAutomatic (AM6)Regular Gasoline35 / 38 / 37
Sonata Hybrid Limited
Front-Wheel Drive
2.4 L, 4 cylAutomatic (AM6)Regular Gasoline35 / 38 / 37
Sonata Limited
Front-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turboAutomatic (S6)Regular Gasoline21 / 30 / 24
Sonata Sport Limited
Front-Wheel Drive
2.4 L, 4 cylAutomatic (S6)Regular Gasoline24 / 34 / 27

Sources and dates

Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data