2015 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
51 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 41 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 51 complaints (39.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 33.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 23.5% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 19.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 5.9% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 3.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 20 |
| Engine | 17 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 2 |
Electrical System: 20; Engine: 17; Service Brakes: 8; Unknown Or Other: 6; Power Train: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2015: 4; 2016: 6; 2017: 8; 2018: 9; 2019: 5; 2021: 3; 2022: 2; 2023: 4; 2024: 5; 2025: 1; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10722100 · 2015-05-28 (May 28, 2015)
STOPPED AT A INTERSECTION, BRAKE LIGHT WARNING CAME ON, CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. TOWED TO HYUNDAI DEALER, HYDRAULIC BOOSTER HAD SHORT, HYDRAULIC BOOSTER REPLACED. WONDERING WHY THE ELECTRONICS DO NOT HAVE A DUAL CHANNEL OPERATION TO ALLEVIATE THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING STRANDED IN AN UNDESIRABLE OR DANGEROUS LOCATION.
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10722100 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10861568 · 2016-04-26 (April 26, 2016)
BREAK PEDAL UNUSUAL SOUND: WHEN STANDING STILL AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL, UNUSUAL NOISE CAN BE CLEARLY HEARD. I BELIEVE THIS NOISE SHOULD NOT BE PRESENT. SOUND IS REAPPEARING MORE THAN ONCE THROUGHOUT ALL BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL FROM UPPER POSITION TO ITS LOWEST POSITION. SOUND IS IF SOME METAL PART WAS RUBBING AGAINST EITHER ANOTHER METAL OR PLASTIC SURFACE.
Owner-reported narrative. 7 miles reported. Look up ODI 10861568 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10979806 · 2017-04-21 (April 21, 2017)
ABOUT AN HOUR INTO DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY, MY CAR ALERT SYSTEM WENT OFF AND THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY SHOWED INSTRUCTIONS TO CHECK HYBRID CHARGING SYSTEM AND TO CHECK SURROUNDINGS AND TO PULL OVER WHEN SAFE AND TO NOT DRIVE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE NEEDS MAINTENANCE LIGHT AND THE CHECK OIL LIGHT ALL CAME ON. AFTER ABOUT 15 SECS MY VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER BUT DID NOT TURN OFF; THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOCKED. I PLACED THE CAR INTO PARK AND RESTARTED IT AND THE WARNING ALERT ALARM CEASE…
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10979806 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10979986 · 2017-04-23 (April 23, 2017)
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE CHECK CHARGING LIGHT SYSTEM WARNING CAME ON, ALL 3 LIGHTS FOR OIL, BATTERY, AND ENGINE CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME! THE CAR STALLED WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO STEAR AND BRAKES DIDN'T WORK... I HAD TO COAST LUCKILY I WAS ONLY IN SECOND TO RIGHT LINE AND EASILY GOT TO EMERGENCY LANE!! THIS HAPPENED ON 101 IN CALIFORNIA DURING A BUSY TIME!!!
Owner-reported narrative. 50,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10979986 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10919118 · 2016-10-26 (October 26, 2016)
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, A WARNING SIGN APPEARS IN MY DASH THAT SAYS DO NOT DRIVE.... MEAN WHILE IM ALREADY DRIVING.... CARS STARTS TO STALL AND WHEEL LOCKS. I GET THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT NIGHT AND THE NEXT DAY... WHICH IS TODAY I AM WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO CALL AND ASK ME WHAT HAPPENS AND NOTHING... SO I DECIDED TO DRIVE THERE AND WHAT DO I SEE..... MY CAR SITTING ON THE SIDE LIKE NO ONE CARS THAT IS THERE... WHEN I GO IN I FIND OUT THAT THERE IS ONLY 1 PERSON THAT WORKS ON HYBRIDS AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE ABLE …
Owner-reported narrative. 41,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10919118 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10948033 · 2017-01-27 (January 27, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10948033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11061134 · 2018-01-08 (January 8, 2018)
TRANSMISSION ACTS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING AND SHIFTS ABNORMALLY IN FORWARD AND REVERSE, DRIVER WINDOW UP/DOWN BUTTON DOESN'T WORK CORRECTLY IT ONLY MAKES THE WINDOW GO UP 1/4 OF THE WAY SO YOU HAVE TO LET GO AND PRESS IT AGAIN. THE RADIO KEEPS SHOWING AND ERROR MESSAGE WAITING TO GET INTO THE DEALER
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11061134 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11556952 · 2023-11-27 (November 27, 2023)
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floorboard. The contact stated that the warning light to turn off the vehicle was illuminated. The contact turned the vehicle off and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the dealer refused to service the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to the residence. The ve…
Owner-reported narrative. 74,680 miles reported. Look up ODI 11556952 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10765129 · 2015-09-18 (September 18, 2015)
THIS VEHICLE HAS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE CAR TRACKING STRAIGHT. IT IS NOT A TIRE ISSUE, NOR IS IT A CROWN IN THE ROAD ISSUE. THE VEHICLE MUST CONTINUOUSLY BE CORRECTED TO KEEP IN A STRAIGHT LINE. WINDY CONDITIONS CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RADICALLY RESPOND TO ADJUSTMENTS, SO DOES A LARGE TRUCK IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. HYUNDAI STATES THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. IF YOU GO ONLINE, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF HYUNDAI CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME ELECTRIC STEERING ISSUES MIMICKING MY ISSUES TO A…
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10765129 at NHTSA ↗