2015 Hyundai Sonata
Common Problems
Ranked from 351 federal NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
38 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Engine Failure During Operation
238complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine suddenly loses power and stops functioning properly, leading to potential accidents.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Hybrid System Warning During Acceleration
48complaintsHigh severityEngineThe hybrid system warning light comes on during acceleration, indicating a potential issue with the hybrid system.
- 3
Engine Failure Due to Excessive Oil Consumption
11complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine consumes an excessive amount of oil, leading to potential engine failure.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Engine Oil Consumption Issues
8complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine consumes an excessive amount of oil, leading to frequent oil top-ups and potential engine failure.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Severe Oil Consumption
8complaintsHigh severityFuel systemThe engine consumes an excessive amount of oil, leading to frequent oil top-ups and potential engine failure.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 6
Engine Knocking Noise
6complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine produces a loud knocking noise, indicating potential internal engine failure or wear.
- 7
Engine Stall During Operation
5complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine stalls unexpectedly during operation, often without warning, posing a safety risk.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
High Oil Consumption
5complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe engine consumes an excessive amount of oil, requiring frequent refills.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Electrical System Failure
4complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe electrical system fails intermittently, leading to loss of power and warning messages.
Related recall: 15V678000
- 10
Engine Seizure Due to Connecting Rod Bearing Defect
4complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine seizes due to a connecting rod bearing defect, posing a safety risk.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Steering Lock-up During Operation
4complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering wheel locks up during operation, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 14V325000
- 12
Brake Malfunctions
3complaintsHigh severityBrakesThe hydraulic brake booster malfunctions, leading to a complete loss of braking ability, posing a significant safety risk.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 14V368000
- 13
Engine Failure Due to Rod Bearings
3complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine experiences catastrophic failure due to rod bearings, resulting in loss of power and potential engine seizure.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 14
Unexplained deceleration and acceleration issues
3complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe vehicle decelerates or accelerates unexpectedly, often without warning, affecting safe driving conditions.
- 15
Electrical System Failure Causing Dashboard Malfunction
2complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe electrical system fails, causing the dashboard to malfunction and display incorrect information.
Related recall: 15V678000
- 16
Electrical System Issues Causing Random Malfunctions
2complaintsMedium severityElectricalRandom malfunctions in the electrical system, such as the check engine light coming on and off, led to unexpected vehicle behavior.
Related recall: 15V678000
- 17
Engine Failure Due to Connecting Rod Bearing Issues
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine has failed due to connecting rod bearing wear, requiring replacement and leading to engine failure.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 18
Engine Failure Due to ECU Software Update
2complaintsSafety riskEngineThe ECU software update leads to engine failure, causing the vehicle to stall and become inoperable.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 19
Engine Failure Due to Uncompleted Recalls
2complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine failed due to uncompleted recalls, despite regular maintenance, posing a safety risk.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 20
Engine Knocking and Limp Mode
2complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine produced a knocking noise and entered limp mode, severely limiting acceleration.
- 21
Engine Knocking and Stalling
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine produces a loud knocking sound and stalling, often occurring at higher speeds.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 22
Engine Malfunction Leading to Stalling
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to stall at low speeds, creating a safety risk.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 23
Engine Misfire and Unintended Acceleration
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine misfires and experiences unintended acceleration, posing a safety risk.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 24
Engine Overheating and Catalytic Converter Blockage
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine overheats and the catalytic converter becomes blocked, leading to reduced performance and potential fire hazard.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 25
Engine Overheating and Thermostat Failure
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine overheats and the thermostat fails, causing the temperature gauge to rise and the AC to malfunction.
$200–$600est. thermostat replacement · 1–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 26
Engine Stall at Idle
2complaintsLow severityEngineThe engine stalls at idle, especially under stop-and-go traffic conditions.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 27
Engine Stalling During Driving
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls during driving, often without warning, leading to loss of power and difficulty restarting.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 28
Fuel Pump Failure Causing Fuel Leaks
2complaintsHigh severityFuel systemThe fuel pump fails, causing fuel leaks that can lead to potential fires.
$500–$1,100est. fuel pump replacement · 2–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 29
Headlights Malfunction
2complaintsLow severityElectricalHeadlights intermittently turn off and on, affecting visibility during nighttime driving.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 15V678000
- 30
High Oil Consumption and Burning
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine consumed an excessive amount of oil, leading to frequent refills and potential oil leaks.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 31
Hybrid System Failures Resulting in Loss of Power
2complaintsHigh severityOtherThe hybrid system repeatedly fails, causing sudden loss of power and inability to accelerate, posing a safety risk on highways.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 32
Paint Peeling Off Vehicle
2complaintsLow severityOtherPaint begins to peel off the exterior surfaces of the vehicle, leading to cosmetic damage.
- 33
Steering Assist System Malfunction
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe power steering assist system intermittently fails, making it difficult to steer and increasing the risk of accidents.
Related recall: 14V325000
- 34
Steering Column Locking
2complaintsSafety riskSteeringThe steering column locked up, preventing the driver from turning the wheel, creating a safety risk.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 14V325000
- 35
Steering Issues Leading to Loss of Control
2complaintsHigh severitySteeringSteering issues lead to loss of control, potentially resulting in accidents.
Related recall: 14V325000
- 36
Sunroof Detachment Causing Safety Concerns
2complaintsHigh severityOtherThe sunroof detaches while the vehicle is in motion, posing a significant safety hazard.
- 37
Sunroof Malfunction
2complaintsSafety riskOtherThe sunroof detached at high speeds, posing a safety risk to passengers.
- 38
Transmission Randomly Down-Shifting
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission randomly down-shifts, affecting the vehicle's performance and stability.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.