2015 Hyundai Sonata hybrid problems
The Hyundai Sonata (Korean: 현대 쏘나타) is a mid-size car that has been manufactured by Hyundai since 1985. The first generation Sonata, which was introduced in 1985, was a facelifted version of the Hyundai Stellar with an engine upgrade, and was withdrawn from the market in two years due to poor customer reaction. While the nameplate was originally only sold in South Korea, the second generation of 1988 was widely exported.
The Sonata is currently manufactured in South Korea where their headquarters are located, China and Pakistan. It was named after the musical term, sonata.
First generation (Y1; 1985)
The first Sonata was introduced to compete with the Daewoo Royale series and was a more luxurious version of the Stellar. It included cruise control, power seats, head lamp washers, power brakes, electric operated adjustable side mirrors and chrome bumper trims. The Sonata was available with two trim options in Korea: Luxury and Super (the latter only available with a 2.0-liter engine). In the domestic market Hyundai attempted to sell the Sonata as an executive car using catchphrases like "Luxury car for VIP"; however, as the Sonata was based on the Stellar without any major changes, it was seen by the public as no more than a luxury version of the Stellar. In 1987 Hyundai added two tone color schemes and a trip computer option, but sales soon went down and the car was discontinued in December of that year. The Sonata was sold only in the South Korean domestic market. The vehicle was unveiled in South Korea on 4 November 1985.
Engine choices included 1.6-liter Mitsubishi Saturn (only available outside the domestic market), 1.8- and 2.0-liter Mitsubishi Sirius inline-fours. The latter unit also found its way into the 1987 and later Stellar, and in MPI form the 1986 Hyundai Grandeur. The body was a largely unchanged Hyundai Stellar.
It was sold in New Zealand (right hand drive) with the 1.6-liter Mitsubishi engine with the five-speed manual gearbox; an automatic transmission was an optional extra. The original importer was a unit of the Auckland-based Giltrap Motor Group.
The final version of the Stellar was known as the Stellar 88 and was launched to celebrate the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Afterwards, Hyundai discontinued the Stellar and replaced it with the all-new Sonata.
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Common 2015 Hyundai Sonata hybrid problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, several common problems have been reported. Here is a detailed list of these issues:
- "Death Lag" Hesitation When Accelerating:
- The "Death Lag" refers to a delay of up to three seconds when pressing the gas pedal, leading to hesitation in acceleration. This can be offset by taking the car out of ECO mode when not in the city.
- Unintended Acceleration and Deceleration:
- Owners have reported instances of sudden unintended acceleration, unintended deceleration, and random gear shifting or slipping, affecting vehicle speed control.
- Hybrid System Warning Error P1B77 P1B25:
- When driving, some owners have encountered a Hybrid System Warning Error, leading to the car beeping, shutting off, and being unable to restart. This issue has been linked to the Power Relay Assembly and the Orange safety plug assembly, requiring replacements.
- MIL Code P0456 Small Emissions Leak:
- Another common problem involves the MIL code P0456, indicating a small emissions leak. While this issue is typically resolved by changing the gas cap, in Sonata Hybrids, it may be related to the NVLD sensor, requiring a specific fix.
These problems highlight various issues that owners of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have faced, ranging from transmission-related issues to hybrid system warnings and emissions leaks. Addressing these concerns promptly and ensuring proper maintenance can help mitigate these issues and maintain the reliability of the vehicle.
Is the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid reliable?
Like the regular Sonata, the Sonata Hybrid has built a reputation as a sensible, reliable midsize sedan at an attractive price.
How many miles can a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid last?
200,000 to 250,000 miles
When it comes to longevity, the Sonata is estimated to last 200,000 to 250,000 miles or 13 to 17 years with regular maintenance. It also has a better reliability rating and lower annual repair cost than most other midsize cars.
How long do Hyundai Sonata hybrid batteries last?
Under normal conditions, your car will require a hybrid battery replacement every 150,000 miles or 15 years, whichever comes first. This is just an average, so some drivers may get more use out of their batteries and some might get less in East Boston.
What is the common problem of Hyundai Sonata?
Old and new Sonata model years had similar issues with their timing chain tensioner, which produced rattling noises upon engine startup. Many owners also reported a broken timing belt, which damaged the crankshaft position sensor.
2015 Hyundai Sonata hybrid car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Hyundai Sonata hybrid problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Engine problems
- Service brakes problems
- Power train problems
- Unknown or other problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2015 Hyundai Sonata hybrid vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2015 Hyundai Sonata hybrid
The NHTSA has received 46 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2015 Hyundai Sonata hybrid. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2015 Hyundai Sonata hybrid vehicles.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-28
- VIN: KMHEC4A48FA
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and Manufacturer recalls: 964 (Auxiliary Canister Installation), 966 (Engine Monitoring Module, ECU Software Update), and 994 (Hybrid Safety Fuse). The contact stated that after the repairs were completed, while attempting to start the vehicle at the dealer, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle remained at the dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not covered under warranty for any further repairs. The failure mileage was 170,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-12-15
- VIN: KMHEC4A49FA
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, a message advising to pull over and to park the vehicle was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing several times. The dealer replaced the HECU and the battery inverter assembly; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's son noticed that there was white smoke coming from the rear middle seat of the vehicle. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact's son pulled to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the hybrid battery pack had failed, causing the hybrid battery to melt. The dealer determined that the hybrid battery pack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Hyundai Campaign Number: 994. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-04-22
- VIN: KMHEC4A45FA
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started overheating, and smelled an abnormal electrical burning odor inside the cabin. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle and inspected under the hood. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) which he related to the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-16
- VIN: KMHEC4A46FA
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Turn off the Engine Immediately" was displayed. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. Later, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, who then diagnosed failures with the ABS and transmission. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-10
- VIN: KMHEC4A49FA
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. A person stated the wrong email address is listed, never filed a complaint.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-19
- VIN: KMHEC4A43FA
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floorboard. The contact stated that the warning light to turn off the vehicle was illuminated. The contact turned the vehicle off and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the dealer refused to service the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to the residence. The vehicle was towed to another Hyundai dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed transmission and battery. The contact was informed that the transmission and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated while driving away from the dealer, she heard an unusual knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The service technician accompanied the contact for a test drive and confirmed the knocking coming from the engine compartment. The contact was informed that the new transmission that was installed was defective, and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,680.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-27
- VIN: KMHEC4A43FA
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-13
- VIN: KMHEC4A46FA
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while stopped in traffic, the vehicle independently jolted with a message indicating a Hybrid System safety failure. Additionally, there was a message to stop driving the vehicle with an alarm sounding. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) the following day; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was test-driven; however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the earliest availability was on December 23, 2023. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,500. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-06-17
- VIN: KMHEC4A43FA
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 - 65 MPH, the battery warning light illuminated. The charging system failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the system needed to be reprogramed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-06-01
- VIN: KMHEC4A40FA
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was a message that the vehicle was not safe to drive displayed on the instrument panel. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle began to stall; however, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing both batteries to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle to a second local dealer: Interstate Hyundai (609 Constitution Dr, West Monroe, LA 71292, (318) 387-2667) where it was diagnosed with needing both Manufacturer Communications 964 & 966 to be completed. The dealer completed manufacturer repairs, but the vehicle continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-05-06
- VIN: KMHEC4A46FA
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the fuel cap and performed other tests on the engine. The check engine warning light disappeared however, two weeks later the warning light returned. The dealer was contacted and a message was left. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 134,298.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-09-21
- VIN: kmhec4a40fa
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 20 mph, the vehicle loss motive power and the check charging system warning light illuminated before the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast and move the vehicle to the side of the roadway and waited for several minutes and restarted the vehicle. The contact continued to drive to his destination. The failure recurred several times. The local dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that since the vehicle was experiencing the failure intermittently, the vehicle could not be diagnosed until the failure occurred and the vehicle was taken in with while the failure was happening. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 29,000.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-06-01
- VIN: KMHEC4A47FA
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED AND MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND LOSS POWER. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED HEADQUARTER HYUNDAI (985 RINEHART RD, SANFORD, FL 32771, (407)292-0000) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-11-03
- Crash: 1
- VIN: KMHEC4A44FA
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE "HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING, SAFELY STOP AND DO NOT DRIVE" WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE BEHIND HER ATTEMPTED TO AVOID HITTING HER; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE BEHIND THAT VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO HIS WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT WAS THEN FORCED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL DRIVING. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BUD CLARY AUBURN HYUNDAI (2807 AUBURN WAY N, AUBURN, WA 98002) WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. SHE ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS ALSO UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE ALSO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED TWICE SINCE THE INITIAL FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-03-01
- VIN: KMHEC4A4XFA
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE, BUT FELT IT MAY BE RELATED TO TSB NUMBER: 06-01-004-1. KEFFER HYUNDAI (9010 E INDEPENDENCE BLVD, MATTHEWS, NC 28105, (704) 247-5645) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PLANNED TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-06-02
- VIN: KMHEC4A40FA
- Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURES RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM CLICK MAZDA AUTO MALL (877-888-2760, LOCATED AT 700 W AUTO MALL DR, TUCSON, AZ 85705), BUT THE FAILURES COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED OR DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-04-21
- VIN: KMHEC4A40FA
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND EXITED THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CASE NUMBER: 15697010 WAS PROVIDED AND THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V629000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-03-21
- VIN: KMHEC4A40FA
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: I HAD TWO CASE NUMBERS WITH HYUNDAI RELATED TO MY BRAKES AND FUEL EFFICIENCY; THE FIRST WAS HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS CASE#: 12894630 AND THE SECOND WAS HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS CASE#: 15512885. BOTH CASES WERE CLOSED PRIOR TO ME HAVING ANY SAY IN THE DECISION (EMAIL/PHONE RECORDS SHOW THIS). AFTER MY BRAKING UNIT FAILS FOR THE SECOND TIME AND I NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT DROP OFF IN FUEL PERFORMANCE (MPG), I ASKED FOR ANOTHER HYUNDAI REP TO TEST MY FUEL CONSUMPTION. WHEN THE RESULTS PROVED TO BE BETTER THAN I HAD EVER SEEN MY CAR PERFORM, EVER, I ASKED FOR THE REST SPECKS. THIS WAS ESCALATED TO HYUNDAI CORPORATE, WHO RESPONDED 'UNFORTUNATELY YOUR CASE MANAGER CANNOT PROVIDE ANY TSB'S BECAUSE IT IS PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. AS FAR AS WARRANTY EXTENSION, REGRETTABLY THAT IS NOT AN OPTION. HOWEVER, IF YOU WERE TO HAVE BRAKE CONCERNS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY, HYUNDAI WILL REVIEW FOR GOODWILL IF THE PROBLEM IS SOMETHING THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY.' THIS ANSWER FAILED TO CONSIDER THE MILEAGE I WAS ALREADY LOSING IN MY HYBRID WHICH PERFORMED WORSE THAN A NON-HYBRID MODEL WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE FAILING. I MADE GOOD FAITH EFFORTS TO REPORT MY PROBLEMS IN THE HOPE HYUNDAI WOULD RESOLVE THEM.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-01-16
- VIN: KMHEC4A45FA
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN ON 1/16/19 WITH MY SON, ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STARTS BEEPING AND MY DASH BOARD SAYS STOP DRIVING NOW AND CHECK YOUR CHARGER SYSTEM AND AFTER ONE HOUR IT COMPLETELY DIED, HAD TO GET TOWED HOME, NOW THE DEALER SAYS THE PROBLEM WAS THE HIGH VOLTAGE RELAY AND CONNECTOR THAT GOES TO THE HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY ON THE CAR THAT CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL AND CHARGER SYSTEM. NOW I'M TOLD I NEED TO BUY A NEW BATTERY AND I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE COVERED B THE WARRANTY SINCE THIS ISSUED CAUSED MY BATTERY TO DRAIN.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-12-01
- VIN: 5NPE24AF4FH
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: COMING HOME FROM A FUNERAL OUT OF TOWN. THE THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A CLICKING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. THEN THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN. WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A GAS STATION AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THERE IS ALSO OIL LEAKAGE. IT WOULD TURN OVER, BUT STOP AGAIN. HAD TO PAY 700 TO TOW US AND THE VEHICLE HOME.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-10-19
- VIN: KMHEC4A47FA
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ABOUT 25 MPH AND CAR STUTTERED WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND SAID TO PULL OVER, BUT EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN BEFORE I COULD. I BLOCKED TRAFFIC FOR 6 HOURS. DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT, BUT WAS VERY CLOSE TO ONE. EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN INCLUDING HAZARD LIGHTS. I WAS UNABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-11-09
- VIN: KMHEC4A47FA
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
- Summary: WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH AND IT SENT WARNING LIGHTS AND STUTTERED AND DIED IN FRONT OF RAILROAD TRACKS. VERY LUCKY IT DIDN'T DIE ON THE TRACKS.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-09-08
- VIN: KMHEC4A4XFA
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING 65 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY, VEHICLE STARTED A RINGING NOISE AND AN ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED ON SCREEN "HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING! SAFELY STOP AND DO NOT DRIVE." AFTER THAT, "CHECK BRAKE ." APPEARED AND THE TWO MESSAGES KEPT SWITCHING BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE THEN STARTED TO SLOW DOWN BY ITSELF AND THE BREAK PUSHED DOWN TO THE FLOOR BY ITSELF. THE BRAKES STARTED GRINDING AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING, ON THE HIGHWAY, WITH A SEMI RIGHT BEHIND ME. THE VEHICLE DID NOT ALLOW ME TO SAFELY STOP, IT STOPPED ON IT'S OWN. IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR A SHOULDER CLOSE ENOUGH TO COAST TO IT, A MAJOR ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. I WAS AN HOUR AWAY FROM HOME AND IN ORDER TO GET HOME I HAD TO KEEP PULLING OVER, CUTTING OFF VEHICLE, WAIT A FEW SECONDS, DRIVE AGAIN, PULL OVER, AND WAIT. I WAS ALMOST IN THREE ACCIDENTS. WHEN I GOT HOME, I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND MORE HYUNDAI OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I TRIED DRIVING IT BUT ONCE AGAIN, IT DID THE SAME THING, IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED ME AND SAID THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT I HAVE TO PAY $2700. SINCE THIS IS HAPPENING WITH OTHER VEHICLES, AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, I FEEL HYUNDAI SHOULD FIX IT. I HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE A FEW MONTHS AGO WHERE THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING 45 MILES, IN TRAFFIC, WITH ERROR MESSAGE,HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING! SAFELY STOP AND DO NOT DRIVE." THE VEHICLE DOES NOT LET YOU SAFELY STOP, IT JUST STOPS. THAT ISSUE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE HYBRID SYSTEM. I CALLED HYUNDAI OF AMERICA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD BUY IT BACK OR HELP ME OUT AND THE REPRESENTATIVE WAS VERY RUDE AND SAID NO. HYUNDAI DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CONSUMER, JUST THE MONEY. PLEASE HELP.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-08-29
- VIN: KMHEC4A48FA
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IS JUST DIED. NOT SURE WHAT PROBLEM WAS. CAN'T BE A BATTERY PROBLEM CAUSE THE CAR WAS RUNNING. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TRIED TO START THE BATTERY BUT THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE READ ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH COMPLAINTS OF THIS HYBRID CAR JUST SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK AND A ONGOING PROBLEM. THE CAR IS A DEATH TRAP AND I REFUSE TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE. THE CAR ACCELERATION IS MET WITH A PAUSE WHEN TAKING OFF AS WELL. I WAS EXPLAINED ITS WHEN THE CAR SWITCHES FROM BATTERY TO ENGINE FOR POWER. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL GIVEN YOU COULD PUT YOURSELF OUT INTO A INTERSECTION AND NOT HAVE ENOUGH POWER OR THE HESITATION CAN PREVENT YOU FROM GOING. THE CAR IS THE WORST MADE CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED. I REFUSE TO DRIVE THIS CAR WITH ME OR MY DAUGHTERS LIFE IN JEOPARDY DUE TO THE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. PLEASE FORWARD A COMPLAINT TO HYUNDAI CORPORATE OFFICE AS I WILL DO THE SAME. THANKS
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-05-17
- Fire: 1
- VIN: KMHEC4A46FA
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, A LOUD POP SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANEL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT UPDATED 9/26/18*JB
2015 Hyundai Sonata hybrid recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata hybrid.
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Park Out Side: 1
- Park Out Side: 1
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
- Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
- Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
- Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152. The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
- Consequence: If the seat belt linkage detaches from the seat belt anchorage, it can not properly restrain the occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will again verify the connection between the seat belt linkage and the pretensioner and additionally install a warning label to prevent future seat belt linkage detachment, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 169.
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
- Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
- Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners and dealers will inspect the connection between the seat belt linkages and the seat belt anchor pretensioners, repairing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 7, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for the recall is 160.
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
- Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles manufactured December 8, 2014, to August 18, 2015, and Hyundai Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to March 18, 2016, equipped with the panoramic sunroof option. Due to a bonding issue with the sunroof wind deflector, the sunroof panel on the affected vehicles may detach while driving.
- Consequence: If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wind deflector anchor plate, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 152.
Negative 2015 Hyundai Sonata hybrid car reviews
Positive 2015 Hyundai Sonata hybrid car reviews
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I hope I don't come across as insensitive, but I've never experienced a serious acceleration problem.
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My family and I are big fans of Toyota cars, owning 3 Camrys and a Prius. When we were looking to replace the Prius, we wanted a larger car that could accommodate our height (all 6' plus!). At first, we thought the Sonata was a competitor to the Avalon based on the 2015 car numbers. I had my heart set on an Avalon Hybrid, but when we test drove the Avalon and Camry, we were surprised at how small they were compared to our 2007 and 2008 Camrys. Luckily, the Sonata has just as much room as the Avalon, and I especially love the extra legroom. It's a mystery to me why all manufacturers don't prioritize spaciousness like this. Plus, the Sonata's lifetime warranty was a huge selling point for us, especially after just replacing the Prius battery for $4,200. We won't have to worry about replacing the Camry Hybrid battery when the time comes - we'll just sell it and get another Sonata. We were so impressed with the Sonata that we even wrote to the USA marketing team to suggest they advertise the roominess of the vehicle more. Anyway, we don't drive a lot, but we have a couple of trips coming up this fall, so we'll see how the mpg turns out. So far, we're a bit disappointed as we're only averaging 28 mpg on our first tank, but we're hoping it's just an aberration. Has anyone else experienced a break-in period for their mpg? Does it start low and get higher over time? It's something to consider.
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I hope this message finds you well! I wanted to share my experience with the Sonata hybrid. I purchased the extended zurich 125,000 bumper to bumper warranty and I am stress-free knowing that I will be driving it for years to come. I have been averaging 37 mpg around Pittsburgh since I increased the tire pressure to 38. I also purchased a compact spare tire from the Hyundai dealer online for only $75. I have not experienced any stalls, hesitation, or braking concerns. If you are looking for a hybrid investment with high resale value, I would recommend the Camry hybrid. However, if you share my 'drive it until it dies' mantra, then the Sonata hybrid is the perfect choice. I was able to purchase mine new and had $6000 taken off the sticker price. Although the gas mileage has decreased slightly to 36 mpg, I am still very satisfied with my purchase. Some of my front seat passengers have mentioned that the seat is lower than the driver's seat, but it hasn't been a major issue for me. If you need storage for sets of golf clubs and/or suitcases, the trunk is quite small, but overall I am still very satisfied. If you are someone who likes to get a new car every few years, then this may not be the best option for you as the resale value is quite poor. However, if you plan on driving your car for a long time, then it is still a fair investment. I have not had any mechanical issues, just a few recalls. It is worth noting that the cold weather can impact the mpg and the EPA projections may not be entirely accurate. If you are looking for a comparable vehicle, then the Altima is a good option. It has similar mileage, a very large trunk, and a negotiable price. However, once again, the resale value is poor. I hope this information helps you make an informed decision. Remember, drive it until it explodes, or you will lose money!
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I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying your new car, Frank! It's great to know that you've had no issues with it even after driving over 85k miles. The full sun roof sounds like a nice touch, especially when you have out of town guests in the back seat. I hope you continue to enjoy the full sound of the entertainment system during your highway drives. Thank you for sharing your positive experience with us!
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My first impression of this car was not great. The promised mileage did not meet my expectations, and the seats are too low, making it difficult for me and my elderly parents to get in and out. However, after three months, I started to see the benefits of the car. Despite the struggle, I still find it good overall. I am excited to take it on a long drive to South Dakota over Labor Day weekend and see how it performs on the highway. Other than the issue with the seats, I feel everything else is good.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2015 Hyundai Sonata hybrid problems:
Top 5 Problems Hyundai Sonata Sedan 7th Generation 2015-20 ...
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Other years of Hyundai Sonata hybrid
Are you having problems with your 2015 Hyundai Sonata hybrid?
Freddy Halvorson 2024-10-20
I'm so glad I purchased my 2015 Limited Sonata Hybrid with 58,000 miles, especially since Hyundai has such a generous warranty. Although I did experience some issues within the first month, my local dealer was incredibly helpful and both the hybrid battery and engine were replaced within the first two months, all covered under warranty. I'm so grateful for that because the repairs would have cost approximately $18,000 if I had purchased it out of warranty, according to the dealership! While the mileage is just okay for a hybrid, I really enjoy driving it now and think it looks great. I plan to keep driving it until the next big issue comes up. Overall, I'm grateful to the dealership and to Hyundai for doing the right thing and covering the repairs, even when the battery went bad at 61,000k and they still replaced it!
Hayley Johnston 2024-09-19
I purchased this car in 2018 with 64,000 miles. It drove fine for the first year, but then I received the first hybrid battery damage warning ⚠️!! The warning told me to pull over or slow down, so I did. I had it towed to the shop where they told me I needed a new car battery, not the hybrid battery, and everything else was good. About six months later, I was driving again and the same thing happened. This time, I had it towed to the dealership, but they told me that nothing was wrong and no codes came up. I thought to myself, 'Okay.' Two months later, the same thing happened again, and the dealership told me that nothing came up when they ran it for fault codes and checked it all over. It has happened four more times, and each time they tell me the same thing. Although this car has great gas mileage and drives well, it is very unreliable. I had to stop on the freeway twice, which is very dangerous. I would not advise anyone to get this car. However, if you really want one, go with the non-hybrid version.
Geovanni Keebler 2024-09-17
I am sorry to hear about the issues you have been experiencing with your 2015 Sonata Hybrid battery. It sounds like a frustrating situation to be in. Have you tried reaching out to Hyundai Canada customer service for assistance? They may be able to provide some helpful solutions. I hope you are able to find a resolution soon and get back to enjoying your vehicle.
Gabriel Roob 2024-09-11
I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with this car. As the second owner, unfortunately, I had some issues with the hybrid system and developed an engine knock. I was disappointed to learn that the repairs were not covered and would be quite expensive. However, if you're the first owner and don't drive too much, this car could be a great fit for you. Just wanted to give you a heads up! Let me know if you have any questions.
Brandt Rowe 2024-04-17
Although there were some mechanical issues throughout the life of the car, most of them were repaired through warranty until 60k. The car may feel heavier than normal mid-size sedans and have poor traction due to preloaded struts, but it is still a reliable vehicle. The suspension may feel rough with all the weight, and the steering may require extra effort to respond, but these are minor issues. The electric brakes were noisy and sluggish since day one, but the first major repair was a brake booster at 75k miles, which cost about $3000 with the dealer. Unfortunately, a new problem arose as soon as that was fixed. The car just died while driving, and there were several warning lights on the instrument cluster display. The vehicle had to be towed to the shop and diagnosed with code P1B77, which was not covered by the powertrain warranty. The repair cost about $1000. It can be challenging to find someone who knows how to fix this car, even dealer mechanics may be clueless. Therefore, it is not recommended to buy this car used. However, it is still a decent car until 60k miles while on warranty.