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2015 Hyundai Sonata: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists nine recall campaigns for the 2015 Hyundai Sonata: two for electrical parts (filed 2015 and 2021), two for brakes (filed 2014 and 2017), one for visibility equipment (filed 2016) and four more for other parts. Owners have filed 1,146 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and the electrical system. For comparison, owners filed 746 for the 2014 and 726 for the 2016 Sonata. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall, with a 10.5% rollover risk.

Summary reviewed by Recalls & Safety Desk · Oct 6, 2026 How we write summaries Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 9campaigns 2 electrical · 2 brake · 1 visibility Source: NHTSA Complaints 1,146filed Owner reports, 2011–2020 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Crash tests 5★overall ★★★★★ Frontal 5★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★ Source: NHTSA NCAP Fuel economy 37mpg combined $1,765/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 2.4 L 4-cyl· Automatic 6 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (9)

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 21V749000 Filed Sep 24, 2021

Turn Signal May Activate in Wrong Direction

Electrical system · software
Official NHTSA text
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.
Consequence
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.
73.2% repairedof 469,377 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V749000
Listed for 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 17V359000 Filed Jun 5, 2017

Parking Brake Indicator may not Illuminate

Parking brake · indicator light
Official NHTSA text
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.
Consequence
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.
73.8% repairedof 161,074 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 17V359000
Listed for 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V726000 Filed Oct 11, 2016

Sunroof Panel may Detach

Visibility · sun/moon roof assembly
Official NHTSA text
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.
Consequence
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.
86.5% repairedof 62,811 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V726000
Listed for 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V232000 Filed Apr 21, 2016

Air Bag Second Stage may not Inflate Properly

Air bags · frontal
Official NHTSA text
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.
Consequence
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.
93.9% repairedof 33 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V232000
Listed for 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V678000 Filed Oct 20, 2015

ABS Warning Lamp May Not Illuminate/FMVSS 135

Electrical system · instrument cluster/panel
Official NHTSA text
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."
Consequence
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.
91.1% repairedof 64,744 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V678000
Listed for 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V414000 Filed Jun 30, 2015

Front Passenger Seat Belt may not Latch

Seat belts · front · buckle assembly
Official NHTSA text
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.
Consequence
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.
86.2% repairedof 128,804 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V414000
Listed for 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V784000 Filed Dec 9, 2014

Left Axle Shaft May Separate

Power train · axle assembly · axle shaft
Official NHTSA text
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.
Consequence
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.
100% repairedof 208 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V784000
Listed for 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Not checked against your VIN.
NHTSA: Do not drive. NHTSA says owners should not drive these vehicles until the recall repair is done. What a Do Not Drive recall means
Recall 14V368000 Filed Jun 24, 2014

Brake Caliper may Fracture

Service brakes, hydraulic · foundation components · disc · caliper
Official NHTSA text
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.
Consequence
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.
95.2% repairedof 16,900 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V368000
Listed for 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Not checked against your VIN.
NHTSA: Do not drive. NHTSA says owners should not drive these vehicles until the recall repair is done. What a Do Not Drive recall means
Recall 14V325000 Filed Jun 12, 2014

Possible Loss of Steering Assist

Electrical system · wiring
Official NHTSA text
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.
Consequence
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.
99.7% repairedof 2,138 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V325000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Sonata years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Hyundai SonataAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (1,146)

1,146 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

34involved a crash
48involved a fire
32injuries reported
2deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Hyundai Sonata, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 1,146.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2015 compares with other Sonata years

Best and worst Sonata years →
3,376 1,557 1,911 746 1,146 726 764 373 162 178
2011201220132014201520162017201820192020
This year (2015)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 10.5%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2015 Hyundai Sonata 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 37 mpg combined

37
mpg combined
35
city
38
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$1,800
CO₂ tailpipe
245 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$1,765per year
$147per month
405gallons a year

Miles ÷ 37 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2015 Hyundai Sonata configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.4 L 4-cyl · AutomaticFront-Wheel Drive35 / 38 / 37$1,800245
1.6 L 4-cyl · AutomaticFront-Wheel Drive28 / 36 / 31$2,150286
2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive24 / 36 / 28$2,400312
2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive24 / 34 / 27$2,500327
2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 26$2,600347
2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive21 / 30 / 24$2,800365

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2015 Sonata for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Sonata years

Where to next

Which Sonata years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2016 Hyundai Sonata report726 complaints · 6 campaigns →2014 Hyundai Sonata report746 complaints · 7 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2015 Hyundai Sonata FAQ

How many recalls does the 2015 Hyundai Sonata have?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns: 21V749000 (electrical), 17V359000 (brake), 16V726000 (visibility), 16V232000 (air bag), 15V678000 (electrical), 15V414000 (seat belt), 14V784000 (power train), 14V368000 (brake), 14V325000 (steering). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2015 Hyundai Sonata problems?

Owners filed 1,146 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (625), Electrical system (167), Unknown or other (164) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2015 Hyundai Sonata get?

EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · Automatic version at 35 city, 38 highway and 37 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2015 Hyundai Sonata get?

NHTSA rated the 2015 Hyundai Sonata 4 dr fwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (10.5% rollover risk).

How does the 2015 Sonata compare with other years?

Among the 2011–2020 Hyundai Sonata model years at least five years old, the 2019 drew the fewest complaints (162) and the 2011 the most (3,376). The 2015 drew 1,146. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Summary reviewed on Oct 6, 2026.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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