YearToAvoid

2015 Hyundai Elantra Engine Problems

Engine complaints account for 105 of 262 total complaints (40%) filed on the 2015 Hyundai Elantra, with a median failure mileage of 72,561 miles. No related recall is listed for this engine issue in the data provided.

Engine complaints
105
40% of 262
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
5
Median mileage
72,561 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe a ticking or rattling noise from the engine, often first noticed while parked or idling, that later gets diagnosed as metal shavings in the oil from worn bearings.
  • Several owners report the engine seizing or stalling and requiring full engine replacement, with failures happening as early as 37,000 miles and as late as 100,000 miles.
  • Some drivers report the vehicle stalling suddenly at highway speeds, sometimes restarting on its own, with the failure recurring over multiple shop visits without a clear diagnosis.
  • A few owners report unintended rapid acceleration or violent surging while driving, which in some cases led to a crash.
  • One owner reported an engine compartment fire while the vehicle was parked and unattended.

When 2015 Hyundai Elantra engine complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 11, 2015, latest Sep 22, 2026.

2015 Hyundai Elantra engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter82015 Q32018 Q32019 Q42022 Q12023 Q22024 Q32025 Q4
105 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2015 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q2 (8).

Engine recalls for the 2015 Hyundai Elantra

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Elantra model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200523 (17%)
  2. 200617 (11%)
  3. 200726 (10%)
  4. 200862 (20%)
  5. 200930 (12%)
  6. 201040 (11%)
  7. 2011109 (25%)
  8. 2012161 (25%)
  9. 2013271 (21%)
  10. 2014180 (47%)
  11. 2015105 (40%)
  12. 2016123 (42%)
  13. 2017303 (40%)
  14. 2018150 (53%)
  15. 2019136 (54%)
  16. 2020117 (47%)
  17. 202125 (19%)
  18. 202213 (13%)
  19. 202322 (22%)
  20. 202413 (24%)
  21. 20254 (18%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2015 Hyundai Elantra?
Engine issues make up 105 of the 262 total complaints filed for the 2015 Elantra, or 40% of all complaints for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2015 Hyundai Elantra engine?
NHTSA data provided here lists no related recall tied to this engine complaint pattern.
At what mileage do 2015 Elantra engines typically fail?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this engine issue is 72,561 miles.
What do owners commonly report about the engine noise?
Owners describe a ticking or rattling sound, often traced by dealers to metal shavings in the oil from worn internal bearings, sometimes leading to full engine replacement.

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.