MotorDeets

2015 Hyundai Sonata: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2015 Hyundai Sonata: 9 recalls, 1148 owner complaints and up to 31 mpg combined.

9vehicle recalls
1148owner complaints
34mention a crash
31best combined mpg
2015 Hyundai Sonata
Photo: Ki hoon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

9 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Electrical, Steering Vehicle recall #14V325000 · 2014 · 2,138 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: The reduction of power steering assist can increase the steering effort needed, increasing the risk of a crash.

The 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. On June 7, 2014 Hyundai began to contact the affected retail customers.

Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #14V368000 · 2014 · 16,900 vehicles

What's wrong: Due to a manufacturing error, one or both of the front brake calipers May fracture.

Why it matters: If a brake caliper fractures, brake effectiveness would be reduced, lengthening to distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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.

Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #14V784000 · 2014 · 208 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: 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…

The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, dealers will inspect and replace the axle shaft, as necessary, free of charge.

Seat belts Vehicle recall #15V414000 · 2015 · 128,804 vehicles

What's wrong: The affected vehicles have a front passenger seat belt whose buckle latch assembly May prevent the front passenger from fastening the seat belt.

Why it matters: 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.

The fix: 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.

Electrical Vehicle recall #15V678000 · 2015 · 64,744 vehicles

What's wrong: 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…

Why it matters: 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.

The fix: 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.

Airbags Vehicle recall #16V232000 · 2016 · 33 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.

The fix: 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.

Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #16V726000 · 2016 · 62,811 vehicles

What's wrong: Due to a bonding issue with the sunroof wind deflector, the sunroof panel on the affected vehicles May detach while driving.

Why it matters: If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wind deflector anchor plate, free of charge. The recall began December 2016.

Parking brake Vehicle recall #17V359000 · 2017 · 161,074 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017.

Electrical, Exterior lights Vehicle recall #21V749000 · 2021 · 469,377 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will update the sjb software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2021.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 48 mention a fire, 32 injuries and 2 deaths were reported.

Engine626
Electrical167
Other / unknown165
Transmission & drivetrain134
Fuel & propulsion75
Steering74
Brakes73
Speed control / throttle61

What owners describe

The 2015 Hyundai Sonata has 1148 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 37 Sonata model years for complaints (2.6× the average Sonata year). Complaints peaked in 2022 (170 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 56,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2014 (748 complaints, 7 recalls), 2016 (727 complaints, 6 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
1.6 L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM7)Front-Wheel Drive283631Regular
2.4 L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive243628Regular
2.0 L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive223126Regular

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2015 Hyundai Sonata.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
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FAQ

Does the 2015 Hyundai Sonata have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 9 vehicle recalls for the 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2015 Hyundai Sonata problems?

Owners have filed 1148 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (626), electrical (167), other / unknown (165).

What gas mileage does the 2015 Hyundai Sonata get?

EPA ratings run up to 31 mpg combined (1.6 L, Automatic (AM7)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2015 Hyundai Sonata repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Sonata years

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