Hyundai Sonata Complaints (2015)

1,208 consumer complaints on file.

#11521458May 11, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving on the 91 freeway in the Fasttrack lanes, this warning displayed on the dashboard: "Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do Not Drive." The Fasttrack lanes are on 91 freeway are cordoned off, so there is no way to get out for 10 miles. We had to continue driving, but the car started losing power after 2-3 miles and began stalling. It was an extremely dangerous situation. We were very fortunate to find a construction zone that allowed us to pull the car into a safe spot. Once the car was stopped, it would not start and had to be towed to the dealer (Cardinal Way Hyundai in Corona, CA) on May 8. The dealer ran diagnostics and sent the codes to Hyundai tech center. The tech center advised the dealer to update the system software. After updating the software the dealer returned the car to me on May 9. Previously, on Aug 17, 2020, I had the same warning light “Hybrid System Warning!...” while driving on the highway. I was able to take an exit and park the car safely. I had to get it towed to the same dealer. The dealer reported that the diagnostic “measured resistance at safety plug. Found open circuit. Replaced safety plug.” The car was fixed and returned to me on the same day. It is completely unacceptable to have a car shut down without any warning in the middle of the freeway. If we had stopped in the middle of the freeway, it would have resulted in a very bad accident and could have resulted in loss of life. The tow truck driver told us that he has towed many Hyundai or Kia hybrid cars with similar issues. This problem seems to be a systematic and Hyundai should be subject to recall these cars to fix this dangerous problem. Hyundai needs to make sure that the car owner is provided sufficient warning of any impending problems with the hybrid system. Furthermore, the onboard communication system in the Sonata hybrid is outdated and does not work, so no diagnostic reports are generated. Hyundai needs to provide free replacement of the comm system.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521397May 10, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact coasted the vehicle off to the shoulder of the highway and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact then discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V749000 (Exterior Lighting, Electrical System) which the mechanic linked to the failure. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where she was informed that the part was on backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520375May 4, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle revved up and stalled. Additionally, while accelerating, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the intake cam assembly, CVT assembly intake, tensioner, timing chain, rubber gasket, and plug needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided a case number and informed the contact that the repairs were not covered under warranty or recall. The failure mileage was approximately 73,876.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520514May 4, 2023
STEERING
As I was driving down a highway going 65 my steering wheel pretty much locked up. I got a red steering wheel light and traction control light came on to and I could barely turn. I looked this up and a lot of people are saying it's the wiring with the power steering. How is this not a recall? Me and my kids could of died or I couldn't of hit someone else also. Now it's not doing it. But then today as I was driving the kids to school it happened again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519578April 29, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
While driving on a highway, I heard a rattling sound, which could best be described as tying cans to the car and dragging them along the road. I had never heard this noise before. No safety indicator lights turned on to alert me of any issue. With minutes of first hearing the sound, a very loud pop noise could be heard, followed by immediate engine power failure. I was able to navigate off of the highway, into a more residential area. Upon the vehicle coming to a stop on its own (I was not able to apply the brakes at all), a dark cloud of smoke starting coming from underneath the hood. Seconds later, it burst into flames. I was able to safely exit the vehicle with my dog, but if traffic were any heavier, there would have been no safe way for me to get off the road and to a safe location
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518229April 21, 2023
STEERING
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and turning the steering wheel to the center position, the steering wheel independently turned to left, causing the vehicle to veer to the left. Additionally, the contact stated while attempting to make a right turn, the failure recurred, causing the vehicle to go to the opposite direction. The contact stated that she used physical force to manually turn the steering wheel to the right as the steering wheel was resistant. The steering warning light and the traction control warning light were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring, and the steering wheel was making abnormal clicking sounds while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,150.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518032April 20, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for routine maintenance, the independent mechanic discovered that the engine oil was extremely low. The contact stated that the vehicle had been regularly serviced and had received the schedule oil changes as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who recommended that an oil consumption test be performed on the engine. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 68,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517852April 19, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the check engine warning was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that an oil change needed to be performed more regularly. On another occasion, while starting the vehicle, the contact heard a knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact was advised to contact the NSTHA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 95,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11516976April 13, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
after taking my 2015 sonata eco to the dealership for campaign 993; campaign 210; and, campaign tww 15-17 I have experienced the following issues: RIGHT TURN SIGNAL STOPPED WORKING ALARM GOES OFF 5 MINUTES AFTER LOCKING THE VEHICLE DASH INDICATES MY REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS AJAR WHEN IT IS LOCKED Prior to having the service done my vehicle did not have any of this issues. RUSNAK Hyundai Inland Empire has not been helpful in resolving these issues. I am being asked to pay to diagnose the issues that were not present prior to the software updates.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11516576April 11, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“Hybrid System Alert” comes up on the dash and the system shuts down, all electrical is lost including HAZARD LIGHTS and the ability to put the car into Neutral. Since the car shuts down Hyundai says they cannot retrieve the code to solve it. It has been happening on and off for over a year and I’ve been stranded on a dark road with no lights on the car and no ability to push it off the road. HYUNDAI IS NOT HELPING! They need to recall these cars as the issue is widespread. The car restarts after a day or so, but in that moment it is not driveable and very unsafe. It’s clearly a flaw, as there’s no code to be found. It needs to be recalled and fixed. AAA has towed me or come out several times and cannot understand the problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515818April 6, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Panoramic sunroof exploded spontaneously while the car was driven at night. Terrifying and traumatic. Glass everywhere. No rock or anything hit it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515569April 5, 2023
SEAT BELTS
Front Driver Side Seat Belt does not retract to original position when seat belt unlatched. Also seat belt does not lock into restraint position when brakes are applied and remains loose even when brakes applied heavily during emergency/urgent braking. Dealer said it is not a safety issue, it is a wear issue and owner would have to pay for full replacement.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515139April 3, 2023
SEAT BELTS
The front seat belts are not functioning; they do not retract, nor do they lock when quickly pushed. They both do lock into the buckle, but that's it. I checked the recall status for such a problem and found that many years and models of Hyundai Sonata's seatbelts were recalled for exactly this same reason; however, this particular year of Sonata was not, even though it is the same issue. In late February/early March, I contacted our local dealer in Reno, to no avail, and then contacted the national customer support for Hyundai. This was forwarded up the ladder and received a case number: [XXX]. We were asked to take it to our local dealer for a diagnostic review, which was completed on March 22. The result, showing the exact same malfunction, was then sent to the Hyundai case worker. Numerous phone calls and emails to her have gone unanswered since then. Meanwhile, we are stuck with an unsafe vehicle, which has the same seatbelt safety issue that resulted in a recall of over one million Hyundai vehicles. Hyundai states the seatbelts are past the warranty period. Seven years is how long they think seatbelts should last? INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515284April 3, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car was stolen 1week after the recall was performed that was supposed to immobilized the engine. The recall did nothing and now I'm left with the aftermath.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514798March 31, 2023
VISIBILITY
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 47 MPH, the sunroof started to detach from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull on the sunroof to prevent sunroof from separating from the vehicle. The contact pulled over safely on the side of the roadway and the vehicle was ten taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the vehicle was experiencing a similar failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V726000 (Visibility). The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 90,086.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514371March 29, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the oil warning light was flashing on and off. Additionally, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil pressure switch failed, and oil had entered the ECU. The vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil and the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11512471March 17, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I have a used 2015 Hyundai Sonata that I purchased from a Hyundai dealership in December 2021 (due to the chip shortage, I had to purchase used). A few months later In June 2022 I was driving on the freeway and my car felt like it was losing acceleration. I was already planning to exit the next exit to go to my destination and as I was exiting and came to stop at the red light before I could then turn right .. my car started to violently shake. Ultimately, after going to my own car place the following day and them determining that the fuel injectors and the computer were not talking, I had it towed to Hyundai where after another 4 days they also determined it was that problem and they replaced the computer under warranty. Well today I was again on the toll road / freeway and I was in the fast lane, I suddenly felt a strong jolt and my malfunction light came on and it was blinking on the dash, I knew not to drive it based on the light and as I steered to the right shoulder to slow / stop and call AAA I could feel my car just lightly shaking again. My car is now at the same Hyundai dealership where I purchased it and I’m waiting for diagnostics on the problem. Before this all happened, the first time in 2022 I was having sporadic issues with pressing the start button and there was a bit of a delayed start at times, even after the computer was replaced I’ve still had hiccups with the start button at times but it’s been very sporadic and it has never been a starter issue (had my car place already check that). So I’m now waiting to hear if the computer indeed failed for a second time. They cannot assess my car until Monday or Tuesday at the dealership (today was a Friday, my car was towed there at about 11am today). If the computer did fail again, it lasted about 14,000 miles before it just died again. Quite frustrated at the moment. I already contacted Hyundai corporate and opened a second case today regarding all of this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511192March 10, 2023
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD
I own a 2015 Hyundai Sonata and have an issue with dash pad, the passenger side air bag has split at the airbag seam and has traveled to the drivers side. If the passenger airbag deploys, I could see some severe injury to the passenger side occupant when the airbag deploys after the cover detaches from the rest of the dash pad. The lifespan of any safety system component is 15yrs according to NHTSA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11510529March 7, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY, SEAT BELTS
My driver side seat belt when taken off does not retract back to normal position. Also my color urban Sunset is starting to fade on the back spoiler and truck Area. Thank you Any help would be appreciated
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11510156March 4, 2023
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
In September 2022, we noticed a noise coming from under the car hood. Sounded like a thump as we accelerated. We took it to the Hyundai’s service department and was told that they couldn’t hear anything or find a problem. They changed my oil. We continued to hear a noise but thought it wasn’t a concern. In February, a fairly new tire went flat and we returned to the Hyundai service department. I received a call later and was told that they could hear a noise and they checked, and my oil was extremely low. They topped it off and told me to return in a thousand miles to see if it was still burning oil. If it was burning significant oil at that point, they would seal it and begin the Hyundai oil consumption test. At about 600 miles, I could smell a strong plastic burning odor and we checked the dip stick and the oil was barely detectable. We called Hyundai and was told there was nothing they could do and we have to go the full thousand miles to determine if we qualify for the test. We are concerned are engine is going to stall, burn up or catch fire in our garage. They told us, we couldn’t get are car in to be looked at until the end of March. After doing some research, I am aware that there is a current class action lawsuit against Hyundai for this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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