2015 Hyundai Sonata Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 190 Electrical System complaints for the 2015 Hyundai Sonata, 17% of all 1,144 complaints that year, with 16 fires, 3 crashes, and 7 injuries reported. Median mileage at failure was 57,320. Three related recalls cover the Smart Junction Box, ABS warning software, and a steering wiring harness issue.
- Electrical System complaints
- 190
- 17% of 1,144
- Crashes reported
- 3
- Fires reported
- 16
- Injuries reported
- 7
- Median mileage
- 57,321 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Owners report engine compartment smoke or fire starting suddenly while driving at low speeds, sometimes preceded by a clanking or knocking noise.
- Some describe an electrical burning smell followed by white smoke billowing from under the hood shortly after starting the parked vehicle.
- Several complaints mention warning lights, including battery and traction control lights, illuminating just before smoke or fire appeared.
- One owner reported flames coming from near the driver door within minutes of noticing smoke while driving around 35 mph.
- A few incidents occurred shortly after dealer service visits, such as an oil change or engine flush, with stalling and smoke the next day.
When 2015 Hyundai Sonata electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Feb 15, 2015, latest Aug 6, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2015 Hyundai Sonata
- NHTSA 21V749000Sep 24, 2021Electrical System469,377 vehicles
Electrical system:software
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sonata, 2016-2017 Sonata Hybrid, and Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch, which could cause the turn signal to activate in the opposite direction of what the driver intended.
Risk: A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 210.
- NHTSA 15V678000Oct 20, 2015Electrical System64,744 vehicles
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to August 21, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with an Antilock Braking System (ABS) warning light intended to warn the driver if there is an ABS malfunction. In the event of an ABS malfunction, the Brake System warning light will illuminate, but the ABS warning light will not illuminate. Since the vehicles have ABS malfunction lights that do not illuminate, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: If the driver is alerted there is a brake system malfunction, but not specifically with the ABS system, the driver may operate the vehicle unaware that the vehicle's brakes may lock up during hard braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 134.
- NHTSA 14V325000Jun 12, 2014Electrical System2,138 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Electrical system:wiring
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 2, 2014, through May 23, 2014. A poor connection within the vehicle's wiring harness may result in a reduction of steering assist from the vehicle's motor driven power steering system or the inability to move the vehicle's shifter from the Park position.
Risk: The reduction of power steering assist can increase the steering effort needed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai notified dealers to suspend sales of affected Sonata vehicles and has published recall bulletin 14-01-024 providing a service procedure to repair the affected vehicles. On June 7, 2014 Hyundai began to contact the affected retail customers. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 119.
Electrical System complaints by Sonata model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical system complaints does NHTSA have for the 2015 Hyundai Sonata?
- NHTSA lists 190 Electrical System complaints for the 2015 Sonata, which is 17% of the 1,144 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Are there fires linked to the 2015 Sonata's electrical system?
- Yes. NHTSA records show 16 fires, 3 crashes, and 7 injuries among complaints tied to the Electrical System on the 2015 Sonata.
- Is there a recall for the 2015 Hyundai Sonata's electrical system?
- There are three related recalls: one for Smart Junction Box software (21V749000), one for ABS warning light software (15V678000), and one for a wiring harness issue affecting steering assist (14V325000), the last of which was a do-not-drive recall.
- At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up on the 2015 Sonata?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for Electrical System complaints on the 2015 Sonata is 57,320 miles.
- How does the 2015 Sonata's electrical complaint share compare to other years?
- The 17% share for 2015 is lower than 2014's 28% and 2012's 21%, but higher than 2017's 11%, based on NHTSA's year-by-year breakdown.