2015 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 10763029 · 2015-09-10 (September 10, 2015)
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START (PUSH BUTTON) .
Owner-reported narrative. 1,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10763029 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 ↗
Owner report 10808593 · 2015-12-05 (December 5, 2015)
WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATE PEDAL THERE SEEMS TO BE A DELAY IN RESPONSE. THE DELAY CAN BE AS SHORT AS A FEW MILLISECONDS TO ALMOST 3 ENTIRE SECONDS. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS RANDOMLY, AND MAKES MY WIFE AND I VERY NERVOUS WHEN TRYING TO MANEUVER OR PROCEED INTO TRAFFIC AFTER BEING STOPPED.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10808593 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 10863570 · 2016-05-06 (May 6, 2016)
PUSH BOTTON START DOESNT A LOT OF THE TIME SEVERAL TIMES A WEKK START THE ENGINE. ALSO, THE SUSPENSION IS TERRIBLY ROUGH. YOU CAN FEEL EVERY BUMP!
Owner-reported narrative. 85 miles reported. Look up ODI 10863570 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10894938 · 2016-08-10 (August 10, 2016)
I'VE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WITH ABS SYSTEMS. MY CURRENT CAR CLAIMS TO HAVE ABS, BUT IF I SLAM ON THE BRAKES, THEY LOCK. THAT IS NOT ABS. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND THE DEALER CLAIMED IT MET THEIR ABS STANDARDS. THE BRAKES DON'T MEET MY ABS STANDARDS. I HAVE HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, SOMETIMES GOING AS SLOWLY AS 20 MPH AND THE BRAKES LOCKED AND THE CAR SKIDDED.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10894938 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10895722 · 2016-08-14 (August 14, 2016)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM IS NON-FUNCTIONAL. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY, I HAVE HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES QUICKLY, WHICH HAS REPEATEDLY CAUSED THE WHEELS TO LOCK UP AND THE CAR TO SKID. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, AND THAT THE BRAKES ARE ACTING NORMALLY.
Owner-reported narrative. 10,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10895722 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V726000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2016-10-11 (October 11, 2016)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V152000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 2017-03-08 (March 8, 2017)
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners and dealers will inspect the connection between the seat belt linkages and the seat belt anchor pretensioners, repairing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 7, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for the recall is 160.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V617000 · Seat Belts:Pretensioner | Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 2017-10-04 (October 4, 2017)
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152. The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
Consequence: If the seat belt linkage detaches from the seat belt anchorage, it can not properly restrain the occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will again verify the connection between the seat belt linkage and the pretensioner and additionally install a warning label to prevent future seat belt linkage detachment, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 169.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Reported: 2023-09-22 (September 22, 2023)
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
NHTSA campaign record ↗