10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 23
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,124 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2015 Hyundai Sonata engine problems

engine problem

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2015 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 1 of 24)

problem #462

Nov 282023

Sonata

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Oil consumption issues. Had a brand new factory motor to replace original motor due to engine failure from oil consumption issues on June 29 2020 at 154,285 miles. The new motor only has 56,665 miles on it and I'm having to add extra oil in between changes because it is bone dry after about 1800 miles from oil change each time.

- Westport, KY, USA

problem #461

Jul 152023

Sonata

  • miles
The vehicle is demonstrating clear signs of engine failure based off the symptoms Hyundai states on its website for the rod knock bearing recall (no power, enters limp mode, white smoke out tailpipes, etc.) Hyundai states vehicle passes testing. Engine also has oil consumption issues, has had its PVC value fail twice in ten months, and burns through 1.5 qts of oil every 496 miles (has failed all 3 consumption tests). The vehicle has stalled out on multiple occasions and risked my/my child's life, has required cylinder cleanings and fuel injection cleanings, and the engine gets extremely hot. This is the second failed engine in the Sonata, and Hyundai has not stated if they will replace it.

- Wisconsin Rapids, WI, USA

problem #460

Nov 012023

Sonata

  • miles
After Hyundai Dealership performed RECALL 953, vehicle is having uneven engine idling, especially while stopped at traffic lights/stopsigns and when starting the vehicle. It is noticeable enough that I am concerned the theta ii engine is failing, or about to fail.

- Langhorne, PA, USA

problem #459

Oct 312023

Sonata

  • 180,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a stop light, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle stalled. The contact shifted to neutral and pushed the vehicle off the road and parked in a nearby lot. The contact stated that the vehicle was inoperable. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

- Goldsboro, NC, USA

problem #458

Oct 102022

Sonata

  • miles
My oil is burning with in a weak. And flludding out my spark plugss And then when I push the gas, my car just vibrates everything and it doesn't wanna go..Iknow other models were recalled for this issue. This issue has been fixed twice and it keeps happening.

- Shapleigh , ME, USA

problem #457

Jul 012020

Sonata

  • miles
My son was driving my car home from work and while waiting at a light, he went to go in the car would not move the engine. He just died right there in the middle of the street on him. He was stuck in the middle of the street for quite some time waiting for a tow truck because it was way too dangerous for him to get out of the car. It was during traffic hour. The car only had like 48,000 miles on it. After repaired by the dealer car started having other issues with the engine light coming on with intake manifold but dealer claimed that part is not covered, which that part is part of the engine that they supposedly replaced.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #456

Sep 012023

Sonata

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Insurance companies are not proving insurance because of rise in theft of Hyundai vehicle. Now they are asking to install remote start kit for physical engine immobilizer. Cost of this installation is $350 - $500, Hyundai is not entertaining this issue. Hyundai are saying we have done anti theft software update but insurance companies are saying that is not enough.

- Bellport, NY, USA

problem #455

Sep 102023

Sonata

  • 162,553 miles
Hybrid system warning comes up often and everytime I take it to get assessed, something different is getting fixed. These repairs are all expensive out of pocket repairs. The problems continues to happen and I-??m constantly repairing something different.

- Davis , CA, USA

problem #454

Aug 072023

Sonata

  • miles
Vehicle displayed hybrid warning while moving through an intersection on a highway. The car's engine turned off along with the power steering and brakes. Had the light not been in my favor, I would have been unable to stop on a high speed highway with oncoming traffic.

- New Haven, IN, USA

problem #453

Jan 042023

Sonata

  • miles
I am 86 years old. I bought the car brand new so I am the original owner. I have kept the car perfectly maintained and garaged from the day I bought it. My wife is also 86. She and I are the only ones that drive the car. To date, it has 73,822 miles on it. The main issue I am having is random, unpredictable stalling and hesitation when trying to accelerate. We have also had unintended acceleration. This always happens at the worst times which causes grave concern for our safety. We have taken the care to the dealership here in Cape Girardeau, MO called Chris Auffenberg Hyundai. They've charged me $130 only to tell me nothing is wrong. I have continued to try to work with them and they now have decided a new fuel pump will fix this which is $730. I have noticed there are already hundreds of complaints on the 2015 that all say they have the same exact issues I am having but this dealership doesn't seem to care. Here is what I have read. "The most common issue in the 2015 Sonata lies with its faulty throttle control system, which can cause stalling, hesitation, and even unintended acceleration. Currently, there is no fix from Hyundai." My dealership will not acknowledge this even though it is public information. I feel like they are going to keep replacing parts and are taking advantage of me. Darren Pruitt is the Service Manager at this dealership and I am not happy how he is handling this. Please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide.

- Jackson, MO, USA

problem #452

Aug 152023

Sonata

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is the second engine that has been replaced for the same issue. It had a connecting road bearing failure & went into limp mode.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #451

Jul 062023

Sonata

  • 71,820 miles
The contact's friend owned a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while her friend was driving at 20 MPH, a motorist informed her that there was a fire visible underneath the hood. As her friend opened the driver-side door, the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The contact's friend was taken to the hospital where she sustained severe burns to the left side of her body. The contact's friend had her skin grafted from the right side of her body to repair the severe burns sustained to her left thigh and ankle as well as other parts of her body. A police and fire report was filed. The vehicle was completely incinerated due to the failure. The remains of the vehicle were towed to an independent tow yard where it was deemed a total loss. According to the fire report, the fire was caused by an unknown electrical failure malfunction; the source of the failure was undetermined. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 71,820

- Sachse, TX, USA

problem #450

Jan 022023

Sonata

  • miles
The driver's seatbelt does not retract. The engine is burning oil.

- Tequesta, FL, USA

problem #449

Sep 262023

Sonata

  • miles
Car stalls intermittently. When at a stop sign or red light, then when my turn to go I step on gas peddle, car starts to go, then stalls. I have to let off gas pedal and step on it again to get car going. This is dangerous as it leaves me in intersection and vulnerable to oncoming traffic. I had a mechanic check it out and they cleaned Throttle body, but that did not fix problem. No trouble codes showing up apparently.

- Crossville, TN, USA

problem #448

Sep 152023

Sonata

  • miles
over the course of this last year I've been in contact with Hyundai motors of America and my local Hyundai dealership after my 2015 Hyundai was showing signs of engine issues i was traveling along i-95 with my child at highway speeds when my car suddenly came to a stop causing panic and what could've been a tragic accident. had I wasn't able to regain control of my car. I was told to schedule an appointment which I did that same day taking my car in for service where I learned about several recalls on my car make and model. I was informed that a update was need along with knock sensor detecting software since that initial contact I've taking my car back to the dealer regarding smell of something burning and excessive oil consumption. my local dealership have since performed Nemours oil consumption test finding issues and picking and choosing what information is being sent up to corperate. I had the service manager tell me Hyundai is not willing to honor the repair unless my car engine brakes down or catch fire which is very likely. the service manager then proceeded to state I would in fact need a new engine eventually. "I have everything documented " which then I contacted Hyundai motors America for a second time and was told to return to dealership where a case was open not once but twice and ended up closed stating Hyundai motors America not honoring the extended warranty on my vehicle. this is very hazardous and concerning cause my car again on 9/15/2023 came to a sudden stop traveling highway speed.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #447

Sep 022023

Sonata

  • miles
Consuming 1 quart of oil every 2 weeks, which is about 800 miles of highway driving for me.

- Thornville, OH, USA

problem #446

Sep 012023

Sonata

  • miles
I purchased a used rebuilt 2015 Hyundai Sonata Limited with only 39,000 miles on 9/1/23 for $11,000 Cash. This is the money from My auto insurance claim from My previous vehicle that got totaled in an accident. The engine began having the very well known knocking problem the next day, 9/1/23. To explain, I was on a major road in My neighborhood known as NE 163 St/North Miami Beach Blvd. That is when the engine check light began to flicker, I had to strategically & carefully drive the car across 2 lanes, traveling to the far right lane to exit traffic. The engine was hesitating, I could not get the car to speed up, to keep up with the flow of traffic, and exit this busy street as quickly & carefully as possible. I ended up pulling into the parking lot of a near by AutoZone. Being that they offer free diagnostic test, I got it done but, the car was not sending codes to explain the problem. I waited almost 8 hours for AAA Roadside Assistance to tow Me & the car home. Then, I contacted Jason Erb, Jose Munoz who Hyundai America executives by email & phone. They assigned Me to a Executive Communications National Consumer Affairs Case worker who was not successful with getting Hyundai to resolve this well known problem with these cars. Being that My car is a Rebuilt & not Hyundai Certified, they refuse to replace the engine, as they do for qualifying Sonatas under 10 year/100000 mile factory warrantees. Plus, the dealer that I bought the car from wants an additional $1,900 to replace the engine. This is very unfair!! I feel that Hyundai should replace the engine, in Good Will, have grace/mercy, humility, & honor the fact that I have recently purchased & leased two brand new Hyundai vehicles. These defective engines pose a serious threat to unsuspecting drivers loosing engine power while on major busy roads!! What a dangerous situation to experience, out of now where, while driving in major traffic. Please help!!

- North Miami Beach, FL, USA

problem #445

Apr 012023

Sonata

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the sunroof detached from the roof of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The vehicle also experienced severe engine knocking and the vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. In addition, several safety features including the Lane Departure, Cruise Control, and the Forward Collision Avoidance system intermittently malfunctioned. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #444

Jun 152023

Sonata

  • miles
Engine light came on, checked the oil and there was no oil in the engine.

- Tarpon Spring, FL, USA

problem #443

Aug 302023

Sonata

  • miles
I purchased a 2015 Hyundai Sonata from Carmax on 12/6/22 in Tinley Park, IL. The motor on the car went out on 8/30/23. I took my car to family mechanic to find out that the motor has a hole in the back of it. I had it towed to Happy Hyundai on 9/1/23 in Oak Lawn. I was by Happy Hyundai that they will not be able to look at my car for for 4-6 weeks. Carmax claimed to have did an all point inspection on the car but yet the motor went out. I-??ve only had the car for 8 months. The motor went out while I was driving on the express way going over 50 mph. My safety and others around me was put at risk. Luckily me and no one was hurt. The only time the engine warning lamps came on while I was on the expressway and that-??s when the car started to slow down while trying to get to the right side of the expressway.

- Markham, IL, USA

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