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2015 Hyundai Sonata

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 models.

Hyundai Sonata
Pictured: 2024 Hyundai Sonata SEL, front right. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan Gl/Gls/Limited/Sport, 4dr Sedan Hybrid /Limited, 4dr Sedan Sport 2.0/2.0t Ultimate
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
37 combined · 35 city / 38 hwy
Length
189.8–191.3 in
Curb weight
3,252–3,508 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
12 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 37 MPG combined — 44% better than the average 2015 midsize car (25.7 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints1,207 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 243 for similar models — most often about the engine.
  • "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 21 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2015 Hyundai Sonata is a midsize car offered with 3 engines (2.4L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 191 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,252 lb (4dr Sedan Gl/Gls/Limited/Sport).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 37 MPG combined (35 city / 38 highway), 44% better than the 2015 midsize car average of 25.7 MPG, for an estimated $1,800 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 12 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 1207 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2015

  • Engine added: 1.6L 4-cyl turbo

Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 Sonata →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan Gl/Gls/Limited/Sport191.3 in73.6 in58.3 in110.6 in63.4 / 63.8 in3,252 lb61/39
4dr Sedan Hybrid /Limited189.8 in72.4 in57.9 in110.2 in63 / 63 in3,508 lb60/40
4dr Sedan Sport 2.0/2.0t Ultimate191.3 in73.6 in58.3 in110.6 in63 / 63 in3,505 lb61/39

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sonata Hybrid Hybrid2.4L 4-cylAutomatic (AM6)Front-Wheel Drive35 / 38 / 37+44%$1,800242
Sonata Hybrid Limited Hybrid2.4L 4-cylAutomatic (AM6)Front-Wheel Drive35 / 38 / 37+44%$1,800245
Sonata1.6L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM7)Front-Wheel Drive28 / 36 / 31+48%$2,150286
Sonata2.4L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive24 / 36 / 28+34%$2,400312
Sonata Sport Limited2.4L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive24 / 34 / 27+29%$2,500327
Sonata2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 26+24%$2,600347
Sonata Limited2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive21 / 30 / 24+15%$2,800365
9/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
9/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $3,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
25.7 MPG2015 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2015 Hyundai Sonata.

Similar 2015 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2015 Hyundai Sonata (this car)37 MPGNot rated12
2015 Toyota Corolla34 MPGNot rated1
2015 Honda Accord47 MPGNot rated6
2015 Chevrolet Impala25 MPGNot rated3
2015 Toyota Camry40 MPGNot rated1
2015 Nissan GT-R19 MPGNot rated1
2015 Chevrolet Malibu29 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (12)

Safety advisory: 3 recalls for this model year carry a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module · Sep 22, 2023 Park outside

NHTSA campaign 23V651000 · 1,649,478 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix
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.
Electrical System › Software · Sep 24, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V749000 · 469,377 vehicles

Problem
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sonata, 2016-2017 Sonata Hybrid, and Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch, which could cause the turn signal to activate in the opposite direction of what the driver intended.
Risk
A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 210.
Seat Belts › Pretensioner · Oct 4, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V617000 · 443,545 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Parking Brake › Indicator Light · Jun 5, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V359000 · 161,074 vehicles

Problem
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Sonata and Genesis vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the warning light to indicate that the parking brake is applied may intermittently not illuminate in the dash due to corrosion in the switch.
Risk
If the parking brake indicator is not illuminated when the parking brake is applied, the driver may operate the vehicle with the parking brake partially engaged, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 164.
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage · Mar 8, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V152000 · 977,778 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix
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.
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly · Oct 11, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V726000 · 62,811 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.
Air Bags › Frontal · Apr 21, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V232000 · 33 vehicles

Problem
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 29, 2014 to February 11, 2016, 2017 Elantra vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016 to February 22, 2016, and one 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicle manufactured October 15, 2015. In these vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may be missing a chemical enhancer required for the second stage air bag deployment, resulting in the second stage not deploying in certain crashes. The primary stage will deploy as intended.
Risk
An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.
Fix
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 5,2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 144.
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel · Oct 20, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V678000 · 64,744 vehicles

Problem
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to August 21, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with an Antilock Braking System (ABS) warning light intended to warn the driver if there is an ABS malfunction. In the event of an ABS malfunction, the Brake System warning light will illuminate, but the ABS warning light will not illuminate. Since the vehicles have ABS malfunction lights that do not illuminate, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk
If the driver is alerted there is a brake system malfunction, but not specifically with the ABS system, the driver may operate the vehicle unaware that the vehicle's brakes may lock up during hard braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 134.
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly · Jun 30, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V414000 · 128,804 vehicles

Problem
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sonata vehicles manufactured April 25, 2014, to December 4, 2014. The affected vehicles have a front passenger seat belt whose buckle latch assembly may prevent the front passenger from fastening the seat belt.
Risk
If the front passenger seat belt cannot be latched, an occupant sitting in the front passenger seat has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair or replace the front passenger seat belt buckle, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 130.
Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft · Dec 9, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V784000 · 208 vehicles

Problem
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 1.6 liter model year 2015 Sonata vehicles manufactured August 29, 2014, to October 28, 2014. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with an incorrect left axle shaft which may result in the shaft separating from the transaxle differential.
Risk
If the left axle shaft separates from the transaxle, the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a separated axle shaft may allow the vehicle to roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Fix
Hyundai will notify owners, dealers will inspect and replace the axle shaft, as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 126.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper · Jun 24, 2014 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 14V368000 · 16,900 vehicles

Problem
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sonata vehicles manufactured April 25, 2014, through June 16, 2014. Due to a manufacturing error, one or both of the front brake calipers may fracture.
Risk
If a brake caliper fractures, brake effectiveness would be reduced, lengthening to distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Hyundai contacted the affected owners on June 19, 2014 and instructed them not to drive their vehicles. Hyundai dealers will replace the affected brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 120.
Electrical System › Wiring · Jun 12, 2014 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 14V325000 · 2,138 vehicles

Problem
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 2, 2014, through May 23, 2014. A poor connection within the vehicle's wiring harness may result in a reduction of steering assist from the vehicle's motor driven power steering system or the inability to move the vehicle's shifter from the Park position.
Risk
The reduction of power steering assist can increase the steering effort needed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Hyundai notified dealers to suspend sales of affected Sonata vehicles and has published recall bulletin 14-01-024 providing a service procedure to repair the affected vehicles. On June 7, 2014 Hyundai began to contact the affected retail customers. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 119.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2015 Hyundai Sonata is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

1,207Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
38Involved a crash
51Involved a fire
38Injuries reported
36,148 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine648
Electrical System182
Unknown Or Other172
Power Train140
Service Brakes81
Fuel/Propulsion System79
Steering73
Vehicle Speed Control62
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/11: 524/12: 525/01: 425/02: 725/03: 1025/04: 725/05: 625/06: 725/07: 525/08: 825/09: 1225/10: 925/11: 825/12: 926/01: 526/02: 1526/03: 1026/04: 726/05: 1226/06: 326/07: 1126/08: 1126/09: 526/10: 1024/1125/0225/0525/0825/1126/0226/0526/08max 15

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2015 Hyundai Sonata buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 12 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
  3. Engine — 648 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Electrical System — 182 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Power Train — 140 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 36,148 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  7. Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
  8. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Sonata years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Sonata51–Not rated00
2026 Sonata51193.3 inNot rated16
2025 Sonata47193.3 in★★★★★028
2024 Sonata47193.3 in★★★★★156
2023 Sonata52192.9 in★★★★★2103
2022 Sonata52192.9 in★★★★★3114
2021 Sonata52192.9 in★★★★★4190
2020 Sonata52192.9 in★★★★★4198
2019 Sonata42191.3 in★★★★★0172
2018 Sonata42191.3 in★★★★★2384
2017 Sonata42191.3 in★★★★★5880
2016 Sonata41191.3 inNot rated9887

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Hyundai. How we calculate this →