YearToAvoid

2015 Hyundai Elantra Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2015 Hyundai Elantra has 262 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 55, and 3 recalls, earning a Caution verdict and ranking 10th worst out of 21 model years. Engine problems dominate at 40% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 72,561 miles.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
55/100
#10 of 21 Elantra years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
262
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
1 Park Outside
Crashes
27
reported in complaints
Fires
8
Injuries
25
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2022
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
28
24 city / 35 hwy
Injuries / deaths
25 / 0

Top 2015 Hyundai Elantra problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine105 (40%)
  2. Brakes55 (21%)
  3. Other48 (18%)
  4. Electrical System26 (10%)
  5. Steering26 (10%)
  6. Airbags23 (9%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain18 (7%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires17 (6%)
  9. Structure & Body15 (6%)
  10. Fuel System10 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report airbags failing to deploy in low-speed or offset crashes, sometimes resulting in injuries.
  • Some describe airbags deploying unexpectedly during turns or minor impacts, causing cuts and loss of vehicle control.
  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration paired with brake pedals that failed to slow or stop the car, leading to crashes.
  • Several describe brakes failing to stop the vehicle on highways, requiring use of the emergency brake to come to a stop.
  • One owner reported a steering wheel that locked up after driving over a small bump in the road.
  • Owners describe an engine ticking or knocking noise developing over time, later diagnosed as internal engine damage.
2015 Hyundai Elantra complaints: complaints filed per quarter192014 Q42016 Q22017 Q42019 Q22020 Q42022 Q42024 Q22025 Q4
262 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2024 Q1 (19).

2015 Hyundai Elantra recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V307000May 14, 2026Airbags3,493 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra and 2016 Elantra GT vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.

    Risk: An air bag inflator that ruptures may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or passengers, increasing the risk of injury or death.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 3, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated August, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 300. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 16, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 24V146000Feb 23, 2024Structure & Body186,588 vehicles

    Latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:latch

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

    Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 256.

  3. NHTSA 23V651000Sep 22, 2023Brakes1,649,478 vehiclesPark Outside

    Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

    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.

    Risk: 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.

2015 Hyundai Elantra fuel economy and fuel cost

City
24 MPG
Highway
35 MPG
Combined
28 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,300
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2015 compared with other Elantra years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2013Avoid1001,313432
2014Avoid75382229
2015Caution55262328
2016Caution50292230
2017Avoid95767430.5

All Hyundai Elantra years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2015 Elantra carries a Caution verdict, with a complaint index of 55 and 262 total complaints. It ranks 10th worst among 21 model years of the Elantra, so it is a middling year rather than one of the worst.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Hyundai Elantra?
Engine issues make up 40% of complaints (105 complaints), followed by brakes at 21% (55 complaints). Electrical system and steering problems each account for 10% of complaints.
Does the 2015 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2015 Elantra: a driver's airbag inflator that may rupture, a trunk latch that may prevent opening from inside, and a brake fluid leak recall that includes a park-outside advisory.
How does the 2015 Elantra compare to other years?
The 2015 model's complaint index of 55 is better than the 2013 (100), 2012 (90), and 2017 (95) model years, all rated Avoid, but worse than years like 2022 and 2024, which earned Best verdicts.
At what mileage do 2015 Elantra engine problems typically appear?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 72,561 miles for engine-related complaints on the 2015 Elantra.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.