The Lemon Index2015 Hyundai Sonata.
The 2015 Hyundai Sonata is worse than average by owner complaints: 292 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 138, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 9 recalls, and it gets 24 to 37 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Sonata year is 2004.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2015–2019 Hyundai Sonata, 14.7M views. The 2015 is the same generation.
- Gauges, lights & wiring516K views
Hyundai Sonata (2015-2019): Low Beam Headlight Bulbs Replacement.Morozov Automotive · 251K views · 4 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical364K views
How to Start A 2015 - 2018 Hyundai Sonata With Dead Remote Key Fob Battery "Key Not Detected"PYR Automotive · 150K views · 4 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors360K views
2011-2015 Hyundai Sonata lock actuator, door handle, window replacementRust Belt Auto · 223K views · 2 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors186K views
How to Replace Intake Manifold Runner Control Motor 2015-2019 Hyundai SonataTRQ · 109K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Spark plugs & ignition coils179K views
How to Replace Spark Plug 2015-2019 Hyundai SonataTRQ · 117K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service134K views
Oil Change 2015-2019 Hyundai Sonata. DIY.JONAH VLOGS & DIY · 134K views - Brakes & ABS125K views
How to Replace Front Brakes 2015-2019 Hyundai SonataTRQ · 125K views - Cooling system77K views
2015 to 2019 Hyundai Sonata thermostat location and replacement. 1-2TS Mobile Mechanic · 77K views
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Hyundai Sonata Sedan 7th Generation 2015-201A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 407K views
Hyundai sonata 2018 headlights problems fixLoi Journey · 95K views
2017 Hyundai Sonata Dangerous steering issue / problems steering shaft locked up. Recall?vidsharing10101 · 61K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 1,207 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Hyundai Sonata year. 2015 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 21K to 88K miles on the car (641 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 27K–96K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 20K–84K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 24K–75K miles
Recalls 9
- lights 2021
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 intend…
- parking brake 2017
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.
- visibility 2016
Due to a bonding issue with the sunroof wind deflector, the sunroof panel on the affected vehicles may detach while driving.
Show all 9 recalls
- airbags 2016
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.
- electrical 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.
- seat belts 2015
The affected vehicles have a front passenger seat belt whose buckle latch assembly may prevent the front passenger from fastening the seat belt.
- transmission & drivetrain 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.
- brakes 2014
Due to a manufacturing error, one or both of the front brake calipers may fracture.
- steering 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 positi…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 254 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Due to incomplete seating of internal oil seal plug at intake camshaft, check engine light would
- "this bulletin provides a logic update and inspection for cel (check engine light) on with dtc…
- The shift lever on some 6-speed vehicles may intermittently not shift out of park
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
- ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities2021–2023
- ClosedEngine fires2021–2024
- ClosedElectrical overstress2019–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1750–2700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Complete engine failure while driving. No warning and it did not trigger the check engine light
2015 Hyundai Sonata owner · NHTSA complaint 10969358
More owner reports
Car decellarates on it ,s on when you try to pass or speed up.cuts off.jumps.
NHTSA complaint 11104987
Several times when moving from a stop the engine seems to die and starts up.
NHTSA complaint 10972110
Quick answers
Is the 2015 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 138; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Sonata year by this measure since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2015 Hyundai Sonata problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (45%), electrical (17%) and transmission & drivetrain (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2015 Hyundai Sonata have?
9 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Hyundai Sonata get?
24 to 37 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2015 Hyundai Sonata safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2015 Hyundai Sonata problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 21,300 and 88,000 miles. The middle report was at 55,300 miles, from 641 complaints.
Does the 2015 Hyundai Sonata have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2015 Hyundai Sonata cost in fuel a year?
About $1750 to $2700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2015 Hyundai Sonata have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Hyundai Sonata year is better than the 2015?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2019 and 2014.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works