2015 Hyundai Elantra Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
53/100
#8 most-complained of 16 Elantra years
The 2015 Hyundai Elantra has a complaint index of 53 and ranks 8th worst out of 16 model years, earning a "Caution" rating. Engine problems dominate at 40% of complaints, with brakes and airbags also notable, plus 3 recalls on file.
- Complaints
- 262
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 27 / 8
- Injuries / deaths
- 25 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 24 city / 35 hwy
Top 2015 Hyundai Elantra problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine105 (40%)
- Brakes55 (21%)
- Other48 (18%)
- Electrical System26 (10%)
- Steering26 (10%)
- Airbags23 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires17 (6%)
- Structure & Body15 (6%)
- Fuel System10 (4%)
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy in moderate-speed crashes, sometimes even during rollovers, leading to injuries.
- Some airbags deploy asymmetrically, with passenger-side bags firing while driver-side and steering wheel airbags stay inactive.
- Brakes reportedly fail to stop the vehicle on demand, with owners describing pressing the pedal to the floor without effect, in some cases resulting in crashes.
- Unintended acceleration is reported while the vehicle is in motion or pulling out of a parking spot, sometimes ending in a collision.
- Steering wheel locks up unexpectedly while driving over small bumps or uneven pavement.
- Engine develops a ticking or knocking noise that owners trace to an internal engine problem requiring dealer diagnosis.
2015 Hyundai Elantra recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2015 Elantra a complaint index of 53 and a "Caution" verdict, ranking 8th worst among 16 model years of the Elantra. It is not among the worst years but sits above several newer, lower-complaint years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Hyundai Elantra?
- Engine issues make up 40% of complaints (105 of 262), followed by brakes at 21% (55 complaints) and electrical system and steering issues tied at 10% each (26 complaints each).
- Does the 2015 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2015 Elantra covering airbag inflators that may rupture during deployment, a trunk latch that may prevent trunk opening, and a brake-related issue requiring owners to park outside due to fire risk.
- Should I avoid the 2015 Hyundai Elantra?
- The 2015 Elantra carries a "Caution" verdict, better than "Avoid" years like 2012, 2013, and 2017, but worse than "Good" or "Best" years such as 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022.
- What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2015 Elantra?
- The median mileage at failure across all reported issues is 53,500 miles, though engine complaints tend to appear later at a median of 72,561 miles.