2015 Hyundai Sonata engine problems
614 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2015 Hyundai Sonata — 54% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Engine / Short block assembly / Connecting rod bearing seizure. The engine suffered a sudden, catastrophic seizure while I was actively driving on a steep incline mountain road with a cliff on one side and forest on other. The vehicle experienced an immediate, total loss of motive power, forcing an…”
filed Aug 5, 2026
“Driving vehicle at slow speed crossing an intersection and engine completely shut down. The engine has completely seized and needs replaced due to a known recall. I have only owned the vehicle for 7 months. Hyundai is refusing to pay for engine replacement claiming a previous recall prior to me…”
filed Jul 31, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Certain 2019 – 2020 model year Santa Fe, 2017 – 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2015 – 2019 model year Sonata, and 2018 – 2021 model year Tucson vehicles may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. Hyundai is conducting…
9C2 OL · Service Campaign · issued Apr 14, 2026
Engine problems in other Sonata years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Sonata | 3 | 7% |
| 2023 Sonata | 26 | 31% |
| 2022 Sonata | 24 | 26% |
| 2021 Sonata | 34 | 27% |
| 2020 Sonata | 30 | 18% |
| 2019 Sonata | 83 | 53% |
| 2018 Sonata | 206 | 56% |
| 2017 Sonata | 382 | 50% |
| 2016 Sonata | 444 | 62% |
| 2014 Sonata | 299 | 40% |
| 2013 Sonata | 728 | 38% |
| 2012 Sonata | 567 | 36% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2015 Hyundai Sonata
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.