2015 Hyundai Sonata Engine Recalls: What’s To Know?

Sandy B
Jan 17, 2021

Automakers invest an insane amount of time ensuring their products are safe and reliable beyond the design phase. Sometimes these problems don’t arise until after the vehicles have been on the road for months or years.

When a safety concern gets enough attention, companies like Hyundai have to issue a recall to make the repairs.

Are there any engine recalls on the 2015 Hyundai Sonata? 

As of September 2020, there are 8 recalls issued for this Sonata. Some of these include:

  • Left axle shaft may separate
  • Parking brake indicator may not illuminate
  • Sunroof panel may detach
  • Airbag second stage may not inflate properly
  • ABS warning lamp may not illuminate 

To help you, we’ll take a look at these recalls specifically as they are the most significant. You can also stay up to date on any related recalls to the 2015 Hyundai Sonata engine by checking out Vehicle History.

White 2015 Hyundai Sonata With White Background

Left Axle Shaft May Separate

NHTSA Recall ID: 14V784000

This recall impacts only the 2015 Hyundai Sonata vehicles with a 1.6L engine made between August 29, 2014, and October 28, 2014. In these vehicles, an assembly problem related to the left axle shaft is present.

The vehicle was assembled with the wrong left axle shaft, which can cause it to separate from the transaxle differential.

If this separation occurs, the vehicle can suddenly stop moving, adding to the risk of an accident. It may also allow the vehicle to roll away when the driver tries to park it.

This can also cause the risk of an accident. Some reporting an engine problem with the Sonata may be experiencing this concern (complaints of a sudden stop and shaking may be related to the separation).

Hyundai issued a warning to owners about this. They then had dealerships inspect the axle shaft. If there was evidence it was improperly assembled, the company replaced the axle.

Parking Brake Indicator May not Illuminate

NHTSA Recall ID: 17V359000

Electronic Parking Brake Button Closeup

This vehicle was recalled in June of 2017 for a problem with the parking brake. The warning light that should show that the parking brake is on may not light up as it should. This is caused by corrosion developing in a switch located in the dash.

In situations where the parking brake does not illuminate, the driver may try to operate the vehicle while the brake is actually in place. This may increase the risk of an accident occurring.

Hyundai alerted owners to the problem and had dealerships service all vehicles. They replaced the parking brake switch in all situations.

Sunroof Panel May Detach

NHTSA Recall ID: 16V726000

Some 2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles made between December 8, 2014, and August 18, 2015, and Hyundai Sonata vehicles made between May 28, 2014, and March 18, 2016, were recalled in October of 2016 for a problem with the sunroof.

It only affects those with a panoramic sunroof, which is an optional feature. These vehicles have a bonding problem between the sunroof panel and the sunroof wind deflector. This can cause the sunroof panel to detach while driving.

If this occurs, the panel can become a road hazard. It can also lead to car accidents. To fix this problem, Hyundai had dealers replace the wind deflector anchor plate. These repairs began in December of 2016.

Airbag Second Stage May not Inflate Properly

NHTSA Recall ID: 16V232000

Some 2015 Sonata vehicles made between May 29, 2014, and February 11, 2016, were recalled for a problem with the airbags. The driver’s frontal airbag may not have the proper chemical enhancer in it. Without this, the second stage of airbag deployment may not be possible. The primary stage will still deploy as it is supposed to.

In these vehicles, if the airbag does not deflate properly, that can increase the risk of an injury to those in the seat during an accident. The dealerships were tasked with replacing the driver’s frontal airbag module to repair this problem. This work began in May of 2016.

ABS Warning Lamp May not Illuminate

NHTSA Recall ID: 15V678000

ABS Light On The Car Dashboard

Certain 2015 Sonata models made between May 28, 2014, and August 21, 2015, that have an Antilock Braking System (ABS), were recalled because of an electrical system problem. The warning light that lets the driver know that the ABS system is not working fails to turn on.

If the ABS fails, and the warning light does not turn on, the vehicle fails the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, “Light Vehicle Brake System.” This can cause the driver to be unaware that the brakes may lock up if they press the brakes hard. That increases the risk of an accident.

Hyundai had to update the ABS control unit software to prevent this problem from occurring. These repairs began in November of 2015.

How Do You Handle an Open Recall on the 2015 Hyundai Sonata?

The first step is to check if your Sonata has any open recalls. You can do so by visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. Then, enter the VIN and the system will display all open recalls on the vehicle.

Most often, owners will need to contact Hyundai’s customer service line at 1-855-671-3059 about open recalls. They will tell you what repairs need to be done and how to schedule service with a local dealership.

When it comes to buying a pre-owned 2015 Hyundai Sonata, it makes sense to know everything there is to know about this vehicle. That’s why you need the Vehicle History.

Owner Reviews

accountCircle KJ on February 13, 2022
Losing Oil
My car is burning/losing oil, constantly omitting a burning smell, no oil leaking anywhere, but it’s always needing oil. Where is the recall for this? The manufacturer has to know of a default that is causing this. Own your mistakes & correct them timely, we spend our hard earned money on these cars, and expect nothing less than a quality product. I’m so disappointed in the manufacturer, as well as the delearship, as trying to get whatare known recalls serviced has been a joke and a nightmare, pretty much impossible to get cooperation from these people to have the necessary repairs taken care of. Everyone wants to make money, but no one wants to make honest, quality products…shame on you!
accountCircle Jill on January 22, 2022
Oil problems
Losing oil not showing any leakage anywhere constantly down quarts and if I'm not constantly checking the oil it's going to ruin my motor just had a oil change I was down two quarts explained to the garage have no idea where the oil is going they told me there are other people complaining same issue one guy his motor wss ruined due to this problem the garage proceeded to tell me that this was a recall on Hyundai but not seeing any recalls for this problem this is a very dangerous condition Hyundai needs to address this big problem before someone endd up suing for a motor being blown
accountCircle Blake Edwards on July 21, 2023
Burning oil
My 2015 Hyundai sonata sport had engine failer. I was driving home from work when I suddenly heard my motor knocking, no light came on in my dashboard or anything. I checked my oil, and it was bone dry, my dip stick had burned oil marks on the bottom and I ultimately had to put 3.5 quarts of oil in it to fill it back up. Went to take it for a test drive after and I had loss of power and my engine light started flashing. I change my oil on time and I never saw oil leaking EVER. This is Hyundai fault, and they won't do nothing to help.
accountCircle Courtney on November 26, 2022
My sonata
The Hyundai dealership had replaced my engine because of recall issues come to find out not even a year later in the problem is not fixed I just didn’t oil change on my car adding 5 L of oil and by the next day there was no oil left in my car wondering where all this oil went to. I have discovered it’s coming out my exhaust so y’all should check your exhaust pipes and see if that’s where your oil is coming out at also . This was discovered by finding oil composites on my spark plugs
accountCircle A.C. on October 13, 2022
Oil burning
I have been dealing with oil burning issues since 2021. First I would have more frequent oil changes, then car issues that they repair and I think the problem is fixed but only to still have a problem. Now I too have to add oil on a weekly bases. I was told my engine has a recall and I tried to have them replace as this is probably the problem but now I am told the engine is only good for 100,000 miles. Not life time. They really are a trip. Do not by this make of care.
accountCircle Richard Roberts on March 8, 2023
OIL USAGE!
MY VEHICLE IS USING AT LEAST ONE QUART OF OIL EACH WEEK, EVEN MORE WITH INTERSTATE TRAVEL. THERE ARE NO OBVIOUS LEAKS THAT A MECHANIC CAN FIND. I'VE EVEN HAD A MECHANIC REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET, YET OIL KEEPS DISAPPEARING. I TRULY CANNOT BELIEVE THAT HYUNDAI HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL. EVERY COMPLAINT LISTED HERE IS BASICALLY STATING THE SAME THING, BUT NO RESPONSE FROM HYUNDAI! THE PRODUCT IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE COMPANY BACKING IT, SO LESSON LEARNED.
accountCircle Pissed Off on May 1, 2022
Losing Oil
My sonata is always losing oil I have to add a quart a week this is terrible exspecially with the gas prices. Had my mechanic change out a reculator. But he has informed me that a lot of Sonatas are having this same issue, something in the engine is cause it to burn oil like crazy. Hyundia need to do a recall and fix this. It just started at the beginning of the year. Starting to cost me a lot of money.
accountCircle Gifford on January 31, 2024
Very defective vehicle 2015 Sonata
Of all problems stated in these reviews I can relate to excessive oil burning, peeling paint and most damning is the eventual engine failure. It is a shame that Hyundai has done nothing to remedy these situations. As a result, I am now reluctant and very unlikely to ever purchase any Hyundai vehicle. Going back to Mitsubishi or Toyota.
accountCircle Thamar Hinton on July 15, 2023
Loosing oil
I have to check my oil at least once a week to make sure it stays full bought it use and the dealer didn't tell me nothing about this problem, I also reaching out to the manufactory and no luck at all I'm sure Hyundai know about this problem as well and they are going to loose a lot of customers.
accountCircle PEGGY HERALD on February 4, 2022
Motor blowed up
I have a 2015 Hyundia Sonota se that the motor just blow. It wasn't due and oil change and had no ideal it was low on oil. Try to contact the Hyundia dealer but not having any luck. Worst vehicle I've every had.
accountCircle Jesse on March 14, 2022
Oil leak
Constantly putting oil engine just blew due to this, definitely worst car I've ever had manufactured by horrible people cuz they don't wanna fix it knowingly the engines s**k
accountCircle Roy Richards on October 10, 2023
Hyundai Sonata Sport 2015
Driving normally and without warning I get a check engine light and hear my motor knocking. Regular oil changes and taking very good care of the car.
accountCircle L.McCorkle on July 22, 2022
Burns Through Oil!
Agree with the other reviewers, my 2015 Hyundai burns through oil and the oil light never comes on even when there's no oil in the car!!!
accountCircle Conor Boland on August 22, 2022
Exhaust blowing out smoke
Exhaust is blowing out smoke and causes problems with acceleration. Asked my mechanic and he’s had same issue with multiple customers.
avatar Sandy B
Sandy B. has written for The New York Times, Cleveland Magazine, and many online publications. She long-ago ditched the minivan life for the off-roading Ford Explorer (and hoping to restore a Shelby Mustang!)
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