YearToAvoid

2015 Hyundai Sonata Engine Problems

Engine complaints make up 666 of 1,144 total complaints (58%) for the 2015 Hyundai Sonata, with a median failure mileage of 63,000 miles. NHTSA also logged 37 fires, 11 crashes, and 10 injuries tied to this area, though no recall is currently listed for it.

Engine complaints
666
58% of 1,144
Crashes reported
11
Fires reported
37
Injuries reported
10
Median mileage
63,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden stalling at low speeds followed by smoke or flames from under the hood.
  • Some describe the engine or vehicle suddenly surging or revving on its own while parking or backing out, leading to unintended acceleration and collisions.
  • Several complaints mention a loud knocking or clanking noise from the engine before it died or produced smoke.
  • A number of owners noticed rough idling or unusual noises days before a more serious failure occurred.
  • Some fires reportedly happened while driving at moderate speeds, with smoke coming from the engine compartment or vents before flames appeared.

When 2015 Hyundai Sonata engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 19, 2015, latest Sep 11, 2026.

2015 Hyundai Sonata engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter342015 Q12016 Q32018 Q12019 Q32021 Q12022 Q32024 Q12025 Q3
666 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2015 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2022 Q1 (34).

Engine recalls for the 2015 Hyundai Sonata

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Sonata model year

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

  1. 201040 (12%)
  2. 20111,078 (32%)
  3. 2012638 (41%)
  4. 2013831 (44%)
  5. 2014331 (44%)
  6. 2015666 (58%)
  7. 2016472 (65%)
  8. 2017409 (54%)
  9. 2018233 (62%)
  10. 201994 (58%)
  11. 202037 (21%)
  12. 202136 (27%)
  13. 202231 (33%)
  14. 202332 (37%)
  15. 20248 (17%)
  16. 20254 (25%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2015 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA lists 666 engine-related complaints for the 2015 Sonata, which is 58% of all 1,144 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2015 Hyundai Sonata engine?
The data provided shows no related recalls currently listed for the engine problem area on the 2015 Sonata.
At what mileage do 2015 Sonata engine problems usually occur?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 63,000 miles.
Did the 2015 Sonata engine issues cause fires or crashes?
NHTSA data shows 37 fires, 11 crashes, and 10 injuries linked to engine complaints for the 2015 Sonata.
How does the 2015 Sonata compare to other years for engine complaints?
The 2015 Sonata's engine complaints made up 58% of its total complaints, higher than most other model years except 2016 at 65% and 2018 at 62%.

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.