Hyundai Sonata Complaints (2015)

1,208 consumer complaints on file.

#11688938September 22, 2025
ENGINE
I started taking my car to the dealer in 2023 for engine problems, including high oil consumption and stalling. The dealer kept telling me to return in 1,000 miles instead of fixing it. The issue was officially documented again in March 2024 (RO #131797) with ‘Cause: high oil consumption.’ Despite paying \$356.46 for repairs, the problem was never resolved and now the engine has failed
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11688660September 20, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The rubber stopper for the brake light switch on the brake pedal deteriorated and fell apart. This resulted in the brake lights remaining on constantly, cruise control being disabled, and low battery voltage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687712September 16, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The car got the 993 campaign software engine immobilizer update and it was locked with the keyfob. It still got stolen. Thieves broke the lock on driver side door which deactivates the immobilizer. Car was found and police report was filed. It is available for inspection. Many Hyundais that have had the immobilizer update have since been stolen. The 993 software update is ineffective.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687730September 16, 2025
ENGINE
Dear NHTSA Investigations Team, We are the owners of a 2015 Hyundai Sonata, purchased in 2016 and still in use today. This vehicle is suffering from severe engine issues linked to the Theta II engine defect, which has been the subject of recalls and class action lawsuits. For nearly a year, we have been forced to add approximately 2 quarts of oil every week due to extreme oil consumption. This is unsustainable, unsafe, and clearly linked to the known recall defect. The most serious incident occurred when my wife was driving on [XXX] in North Carolina, and the vehicle suddenly lost power. It could not maintain safe highway speed and had to be pulled off the interstate, requiring a tow more than an hour back to our home. This was a frightening event that could easily have caused a crash. We later discovered that our vehicle was included in the Theta II engine recall, but we never received notice due to a change of address. Despite this, Hyundai Motor America has refused to help, citing that the recall was “closed.” Shockingly, one representative even told us to “keep putting oil in it until the engine blows,” at which point they might reconsider. This is an unsafe and negligent response to a well-documented safety defect. To make matters worse, when reviewing our VIN for other recalls, we found that the panoramic roof air dam recall was falsely listed as “repaired.” We never received notification of that recall, and the repair was never performed. The air dam detached years ago, and we have avoided using the sunroof since then due to noise and safety concerns. We have contacted Hyundai corporate multiple times, and we also filed a formal complaint with the North Carolina Attorney General’s office. To date, we have received no resolution and no meaningful response to our case from either Hyundai or their representatives. Summary of Issues: 1. Failure to notify us of the Theta II engine defect recall. 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
#11685939September 9, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 10 MPH. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed knock sensor. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown extended warranty for the knock sensor; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty or recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 103,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685245September 5, 2025
AIR BAGS
My passenger occupancy mat señor is not working. It has been replaced by Hyundai several times and was a part of a recall. It was replaced in 2006 and 2007. They installed a new version of the senor mat, and the mat senor is defective again. I called Hynindia of America, and they said even though it was a recall and they fixed it as a recall fix, they said that they are no longer responsible. Is that the case?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685341September 5, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The vehicle had the antitheft recall service done. On 8/30/25 the vehicle was stolen. It was recovered on 9/1/25 without the catalytic converter. The insurance confirmed it was a total loss. The door lock was tampered along with the engine lock. This was a horrible experience.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684346September 1, 2025
STEERING
While driving a EPS light came in and the steering was extremely hard to drive. I was on the highway so I had to pull over to turn off the car and then turn it on. After turning it on it worked ok for a little and then messed up again and I couldn’t turning the steering wheel again. While driving in the highway my safety was at risk because I could have crashed into another car and hurt my self or other people driving. The car can be inspected at any point in time because it is at a Hyundai dealership where it got fixed a few months before. The problem was confirmed by the dealer. The vehicle has not been impounded and a selected dealer. The EPS warning light and key not detected light came on. Hyundai has multiple issues with their staring and wiring with multiple different Hyundais, including elantra and Sonata, but directly with the Hyundai Sonata hybrid. There are multiple warranties for recall 14325000. I bought this car in November 20 24 and went into the shop December 30 of 2024. It stayed in two shops, including a Hyundai dealer from December 2024 to April 2025 it had been out from April till August and went back into the shop in August. His car I believe is defective and shouldn’t be on the road whatsoever. In logically how does a whole steering column go out and need to be replaced at only 109,000 miles?!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684093August 30, 2025
ENGINE
P1326
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682037August 21, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Cracked dash. This is an ongoing issue with Hyuandai since around 2009. Please investigate. Do the research. I normally wouldn't even come on here to complain. This is my 3rd Sonata. Same issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681666August 19, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that she checked the engine oil every Sunday and became aware that the oil level was low. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact was adding one quart of engine oil every ten days. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681712August 19, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
I had a standard oil change done on my car and it was running fine afterwards. Later that evening, my car started smoking and spontaneously burst into flames from the hood. The fire originated in the hood of the car and melted the entire front of my car as well as the entire inside. It burned a lot of fuel and oil, which leaked onto the ground and continued burning on the ground. My car was overtaken by flames in a matter of a few minutes. It burned so fast that there was nothing I could do to stop it. I was not aware of anything wrong with my engine or fuel lines, or anything like that. However, something was very wrong for the engine area to catch fire like that spontaneously.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679864August 11, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On [XXX], my 2015 Hyundai Sonata experienced a sudden and complete loss of power while driving at highway speed on [XXX] in Sarasota, FL. There were no warning lights, error messages, or abnormal performance indicators prior to the failure. Within minutes of losing power, smoke began to enter the cabin, followed by visible flames from the engine compartment. I pulled over, exited the vehicle, and called 911. The fire fully engulfed the vehicle and destroyed personal property inside, including my late father’s ashes. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) The incident caused significant emotional distress and has resulted in a PTSD diagnosis. The sudden nature of the failure and rapid spread of the fire suggest a critical defect in the vehicle’s engine or related components. I believe this represents a serious safety hazard to other Hyundai owners and the public. Documentation, photographs, and insurance/fire reports are available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679743August 11, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have contacted the guy that sold me the car he Refused to fix the recall which is my motor I need Something done , Hyundai won’t Honor their Recall .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678403August 5, 2025
ENGINE
My car 2015 (Hyundai Sonata)started leaking oil, it only had 50,000 miles. my mechanic said the motor had too much pressure and kept pushing oil out. He advised me to take it to the dealership for a motor recall. The dealership gave it back with a list of things to fix. replaced the valve cover gasket but still leaked oil. I found out these cars have an oil leak problems that are not being addressed. My car went up in flames 2 weeks later. I have done everything I could to save this car but nothing saved it. My grandkids were in the car and it had traumatized them.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677935August 2, 2025
ENGINE
I bought this sonata one month ago. Driving down [XXX] in bonita springs Fla the car shut down. No noise all dash lights came on I got to a safe place. Sat in the parking lot of fresh market for at least 30 minutes went to start it and nothing happened. No crank nothing. AAA came towed it to my house. The filling day I checked the battery it is good. So had it towed to Scotty’s automotive. They called me Friday morning and said the motor was locked up. According to Carfax the car was at brand ton Hyundai in May of 25. I called after I bought the car Carfax said they found the alignment was off. I called to see if they did the alignment they said they did not do it. The wholesale it. My thinking is they did service it according to Carfax report and knew there was signs something and wholesale it. I did not buy it from Brandon Hyundai I bought it from a guy in Leigh acres Fla. 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
#11677342July 30, 2025
ENGINE
We were informed by our mechanic that the engine needed replacement due to a timing chain issue. The engine warning light was blinking continuously, and the RPM would not rise above 1.9 even under acceleration. Upon further inspection, the mechanic found that the issue extended beyond the timing chain - the entire engine appeared to be failing. When we changed the engine oil, it became dirty almost immediately, and visible metal shavings were present in the oil, indicating internal damage. These symptoms suggest potential engine failure, which is consistent with known issues in some Hyundai Sonata models. We believe this may be related to broader engine defects and request that this be investigated for potential recall eligibility.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675629July 23, 2025
ENGINE
Using 5 quarts of oil in 3 days.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674441July 18, 2025
ENGINE
The car was on a major highway, went to pass another car and the engine stopped working. While trying to get the car off the road there was almost an accident involving on coming traffic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674506July 18, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The plastic fuel pump housing cracked at a spot outside of the fuel tank. When the pump was running, the crack caused the pump to spray fuel outside of the gas tank where the fuel puddled on top of the tank and dripped down over the sides of the tank. During a non-related repair, my mechanic noticed the bottom of the fuel tank was wet with fuel. I'm lucky the plastic fuel pump crack was found before the spilled gas cause my car to catch fire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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