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2015 Hyundai Elantra: problems, recalls and reliability

3 recalls and 261 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (31% of complaints).

Data updated weekly · 2 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall May 2026

3
recalls
261
owner complaints
8
fire reports
55,000
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★★Front ★★★★Side ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★
5-star NHTSA overall safety ratingWeak spot: engine (31%)8 fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 261 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Engine (engine mechanics)31% · 69 complaints
Steering (steering wheel, rack, power assist)11% · 25 complaints
Service Brakes (brakes)11% · 24 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)10% · 23 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)9% · 21 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)6% · 14 complaints
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Hyundai Elantra. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 182,204 - 215,000; and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 152,572.Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power several times, with the check engine warning light and low oil warning lights blinking. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure persisted. There was an abnormal tapping sound coming from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.Owner report · Engine · Apr 2026
Engine failure consistent with known Hyundai engine defect. Blue smoke, oil consumption, engine knock Mechanic autoscanned codes were P0300, PO301, PO302 Lost half quart of oil in 800 miles Fire risk acknowledged in recall documentation - undriveable car at Hyundai dealer in Salem NH, renting a car now as without any transportation Manufacturer denied repair based solely on VIN despite identical failureOwner report · Engine · Jan 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
Hello I own a Hyundai Elantra 2015 SE I am having trunk latch issues the trunk will not open at all I cannot pull seats down without getting into the trunk once something is in there it cannot get out I believe this is a safety hazard I called my dealership to see if there is a recall on this but there is not this is a big issue .Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2025
I was at a red light waiting to go an when it was time to go my car would not go. It was on it would not go into gear. It will reverse. It just won't go forward in auto or manual. Im the 1st owner of this car. I bought it new. I need Hyundai to take care of this problem. Asap please. It happened the car only has 133,718 miles on it and been serviced regularly since I bought it.Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2025
I had a trunk latch recall done on my car in June 2024. Immediately after that, my trunk stopped opening with the key fob. The latch would click but not release. A few weeks ago, it started doing the same thing with the release lever by the driver's side. There was no way to get the trunk open, so I went to a different Hyundai dealership than where my recall was done at (due to travel costs from school). They had to replace the trunk latch because the recall latch was installed incorrectly. It was an almost $700 expense.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The vehicle crashed into a guardrail. In addition, the air bags did not deploy. The contact was taken to the hospital and was treated for facial fractures. The contact was then transferred to another hospital for additional treatment to her face. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was not inspected by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2025
Abs and traction control lights on as well as e brake light this is all after I had recall work that was supposed to fix this problem but only made it worse I am dealing with Hyundai but I don't see a solution for this problem my car is inoperable and very unsafe it is my main source of transportation to and from my place of work and without this vehicle I am at a great loss I have lost brakes completely at times and am mentally and physically unable to drive this car it's that bad financially strapped from sinking money into this problem only to find there's a recall but the recall work didn't fix the problem and Hyundai knows it won't fix the problemOwner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2025
For the past 2 years, the car shuts off while driving. There is no warning lights or other warning that it is going to shut off. The steering doesn't lock but the car shuts off. I have to come to a stop and then restart the car. It does restart every time. This seems to happen frequently and then doesn't do it for a few weeks. I have had it looked at by 4 different mechanics, had multiple sensors replaces, replaced coil packs, and the problem still continues. The Hyundai dealer looked at it one time and said they do not know what is wrong.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2025
The engine blew once at 38,000 miles and now the new engine blew at 85,000 miles (47,000 on this engine). The car was driving fine, 5 minutes into driving i heard a slight knocking noise, 10 minutes after that I was stranded on the side of the road.Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2025

When filing, owners marked a crash in 27 of these complaints and injuries in 25 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 3 campaigns

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE23V651000 · Sep 2023

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.

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.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE26V307000 · May 2026

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra and 2016 Elantra GT vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 3, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated August, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 300. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 16, 2026.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH24V146000 · Feb 2024

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 256.

Trouble codes owners mention

OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 2015 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

Engines1.6L · 1.8L · 2.0L
FuelGasoline

How other years compare

Check your exact Elantra by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

NHTSA has 261 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2015 Hyundai Elantra. The most complained-about area is engine (31% of complaints).

At what mileage do 2015 Hyundai Elantra problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 55,000 miles or less.

Does the 2015 Hyundai Elantra have open recalls?

3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.