"How reliable is the 2015 Hyundai Sonata?"

"Based on 1611 NHTSA complaints, the 2015 Hyundai Sonata has a median complaint mileage of 53758 miles. The most common issue is Engine."

"What are common problems with the 2015 Hyundai Sonata?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 Hyundai Sonata is Engine, accounting for a significant portion of the 1611 total complaints filed."

2015 Hyundai Sonata: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 1611 complaints

1611

Total Complaints

53,758mi

Median Mileage

Engine

Top Issue

Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

20,000 25th Percentile

53,758 Median Mileage

84,000 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Engine

593

Unknown Or Other

161

Electrical System

159

Power Train

130

Fuel/Propulsion System

Service Brakes

Steering

Vehicle Speed Control

Body

Exterior Lighting

Severity Assessment

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"WE PURCHASED A 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA SPORT/L1 ON 26 DEC 2014. MY WIFE REQUIRES AN EXTRA CUSHION TO SIT ON DUE LOWER BACK PROBLEMS. OUR PREVIOUS CAR (2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA) HAS SENSORS UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT CONTROL THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. WITH MY WIFE SITTING ON THE EXTRA CUSHION, TH..."

"THIS IS A NEW HYUNDAI SONATA 2015. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ERRATICALLY. THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS CAN BE A SAFETY CONCERNS: 1. SOMETIMES WHEN IDLING AT INTERSECTION THE ENGINE RPM GOES UP ALL OF A SUDDEN AND THE CAR STARTS MOVING FORWARD AND ONLY A STRONGER PUSH O..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Engine 593 complaints

25th: 27,055 mi Median: 64,000 mi 75th: 96,000 mi

Unknown Or Other 161 complaints

25th: 14,683 mi Median: 48,000 mi 75th: 77,691 mi

Electrical System 159 complaints

25th: 18,607 mi Median: 54,500 mi 75th: 80,222 mi

Power Train 130 complaints

25th: 24,800 mi Median: 50,000 mi 75th: 75,000 mi

Fuel/Propulsion System 71 complaints

25th: 13,875 mi Median: 41,477 mi 75th: 73,077 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

CA: 199 FL: 167 TX: 129 GA: 95 OH: 70 NY: 70 VA: 65 NC: 62 MD: 61 IL: 60

Who Files Complaints?

0.1%

Original Owners

99.9%

Second+ Owners

Hyundai Sonata — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

Year	Complaints	Median Mileage	Top Issue	Crashes
1990	25	-	Automatic Transmission	0
1991	41	-	Seat Belts	3
1992	43	-	Automatic Transmission	1
1993	46	-	Automatic Transmission	1
1995	93	107,263	Frontal	17
1996	37	-	Gasoline	0
1997	74	86,000	Tank Assembly	6
1998	68	80,000	Automatic Transmission	3
1999	187	95,000	Frame And Members	25
2000	378	108,000	Frame And Members	22
2001	293	89,863	Frame And Members	34
2002	407	94,724	Frame And Members	50
2003	247	70,178	Air Bags	28
2004	285	91,138	Suspension	36
2005	217	80,000	Air Bags	44
2006	1422	73,838	Air Bags	55
2007	905	67,000	Air Bags	45
2008	554	65,000	Air Bags	24
2009	610	68,783	Service Brakes	29
2010	415	65,000	Body	23
2011	4582	75,702	Steering	194
2012	2254	80,000	Engine	86
2013	2602	79,000	Engine	138
2014	1061	70,000	Engine	48
2016	960	62,100	Engine	37
2017	964	53,900	Engine	46
2018	519	19,862	Engine	26
2019	182	23,000	Engine	11
2020	236	2,700	Fuel/Propulsion System	8
2021	156	24,725	Engine	11
2022	123	13,500	Power Train	14
2023	130	11,000	Fuel/Propulsion System	12
2024	61	2,000	Electrical System	3

Active Recalls (9)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Sun/Moon Roof Assembly

Campaign 16V726000 | 11/10/2016

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

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.

Indicator Light

Campaign 17V359000 | 05/06/2017

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.

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.

Frontal

Campaign 16V232000 | 21/04/2016

An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.

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.

Instrument Cluster/Panel

Campaign 15V678000 | 20/10/2015

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.

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.

Buckle Assembly

Campaign 15V414000 | 30/06/2015

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.

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.

Caliper

Campaign 14V368000 | 24/06/2014

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

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

Steering

Campaign 14V325000 | 12/06/2014

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

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-

Axle Shaft

Campaign 14V784000 | 09/12/2014

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

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.

Turn Signal

Campaign 21V749000 | 24/09/2021

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

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.

Extend Your Engine Life

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

Change oil on schedule — this is the single most important thing you can do
Use the manufacturer-recommended oil weight and type
Replace the air filter every 15,000-30,000 miles
Don't ignore the check engine light — small issues become expensive fast
Let the engine warm up for 30 seconds before driving hard in cold weather
Address coolant leaks immediately to prevent overheating damage

Compare Hyundai Sonata

vs Honda Accord →

Vehicle Rankings

Most complained Worst transmissions Worst engines Worst brakes Most crashes Compare vehicles

Looking for a replacement?

Based on the data above, here are relevant options.

2015 Hyundai Sonata parts on Amazon

→

Affiliate link

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28