The Lemon Index

All cars · Hyundai Sonata · 2015

2015 Hyundai Sonata. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index138100 = average car
Complaints292NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold213,303U.S. model year
Per 100K sold137complaints
Year rank#20 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 4

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
1.6L 4-cyl turboAuto (AM7)FWD28 / 36 / 31Regular$2,000
2.0L 4-cyl turboAuto (S6)FWD22 / 31 / 26Regular$2,400
2.4L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD24 / 36 / 28Regular$2,200
2.4L 4-cyl hybridAuto (AM6)FWD35 / 38 / 37Regular$1,700

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 21,300 and 88,000 miles. Median 55,300, from 641 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine64,00027,000–96,000319
Electrical55,00020,900–84,10099
Transmission & drivetrain50,00024,000–75,20086
Brakes39,0008,700–63,50046
Fuel or ev drive system44,00013,500–75,00031

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Engine45%
Electrical17%
Transmission & drivetrain16%
Brakes11%
Speed control10%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
1,2073851271102

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 9

  • 21V749000 Sep 2021 Exterior Lighting / Turn Signal

    Defect. 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.

  • 17V359000 Jun 2017 Parking Brake / Indicator Light

    Defect. 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.

  • 16V726000 Oct 2016 Visibility / Sun/Moon Roof Assembly

    Defect. 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.

  • 16V232000 Apr 2016 Air Bags / Frontal

    Defect. 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.

  • 15V678000 Oct 2015 Electrical System / Instrument Cluster/Panel

    Defect. 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,

    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.

  • 15V414000 Jun 2015 Seat Belts / Front / Buckle Assembly

    Defect. 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.

  • 14V784000 Dec 2014 Power Train / Axle Assembly / Axle Shaft

    Defect. 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.

  • 14V368000 Jun 2014 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Disc / Caliper

    Defect. 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.

  • 14V325000 Jun 2014 Steering

    Defect. 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 investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedLoss of motive power20222023
ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities20212023
ClosedEngine fires20212024
ClosedElectrical overstress20192024

Manufacturer communications 254

Hyundai filed 254 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • 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

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

YouTube repair topics

100 videos about the 2015–2019 Hyundai Sonata, 14.7M views.

TopicVideosViews
Gauges, lights & wiring4516K
Infotainment, battery & electrical4364K
Windows, doors & mirrors2360K
Intake, EGR & engine sensors2186K
Spark plugs & ignition coils2179K
Oil changes & service1134K
Brakes & ABS1125K
Cooling system177K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2012130335230,605Engine
2013127336203,648Steering
201464152216,936Engine
2015138292213,303Engine
201687178199,408Engine
2017123200131,803Engine
2018107123105,118Engine

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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