2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Owner Complaints

The Hybrid system kept crashing ! Triggering the auto theft and would not connect to fob , told it was immobilzer, and/or shortage in EV battery!!!

NHTSA ID

11754721

Incident

Jul 28, 2026

Component Involved: Hybrid Propulsion System High Voltage Battery / EV Battery Electrical System Power Train Incident Summary: I am reporting a serious and repeated safety defect involving my 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. This vehicle has experienced three separate incidents where warning messages related to the EV/hybrid battery system appeared, followed by a sudden loss of forward propulsion. During these events, the vehicle would not move properly or lost the ability to accelerate safely. This defect creates a major safety hazard because it can occur while driving, increasing the risk of being rear-ended, stranded in traffic, collision, injury, or property damage. I transport my small children in this vehicle and no longer feel it is safe. Detailed Timeline: Initial Incident: Vehicle displayed warning messages involving the EV/hybrid battery system and lost the ability to move forward properly. Vehicle had to be shut off and restarted. Independent Mechanic Inspection: Vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who advised the hybrid battery system likely needed repair or replacement and recommended service through Hyundai dealership. Dealer Visit #1 – Stew Hansen Hyundai (3/18/2026): Vehicle was taken to authorized Hyundai dealer for diagnosis. Dealer stated they could not duplicate the issue and no repair was made. Second Failure: After release from dealer, same dangerous loss-of-power condition occurred again, resulting in towing and additional inconvenience. Dealer Visit #2 – Stew Hansen Hyundai (4/8/2026): Vehicle returned to dealer for same issue. Dealer performed software update and stated this should correct problem. Dealer advised vehicle had been driven approximately 40 miles and was safe to release. Third Failure (4/12/2026 approx.): Only two days after picking vehicle up on 4/10/2026, same warning messages and propulsion failure occurred again. Safety Concern: This repeated loss of propulsion without warning is extremely dangerous.

NHTSA ID

11731825

Incident

Mar 18, 2026

Idle and warning to not drive, 2025 very subtle cut off now full warning

NHTSA ID

11730590

Incident

Apr 1, 2025

We pulled up at Hillgreen circle Cockysville MD To drop my boyfriend off at his apartment. I went to pull in the parking spot.I went to put the car into park and it had no brakes. I was slamming them and pumping them. It excellerated and took off. Jumped the curb,went down the hill and into the apartment building. A red light had came on the dash, right before it took off. Seemed like it was changing to gas or the electric mode,or the other way around. The airbag on the passenger side came out deflated,and filled with smoke going into the car. He was the belted front passenger and his elbow went in to the front window. You can tell by looking at it,the hole and spidered around it. He broke his right elbow. It is available anytime at the moment. It's at Hyundaii in Glen burnie. I need to get it to state farms lot,to get the Kelly blue book value. We look forward to hearing from you

NHTSA ID

11717654

Incident

Sep 14, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound. The contact stated that upon pulling into an apartment complex parking lot, the contact noticed that there was smoke coming out from underneath the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact immediately parked and exited the vehicle. The contact stated that upon opening the hood, the contact noticed a small fire and was able to extinguish the fire with a water bottle. The contact was able to push the vehicle into a parking space with the assistance of her son. There was no injury sustained. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that a fluid leak from an unknown hose had caused the fire, and there was a hole in the engine block. The contact also stated that there was a puddle of fluid on the ground. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000(Service Brakes, Hydraulic), which the contact related to the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,395.

NHTSA ID

11653864

Incident

Apr 7, 2025

Mileage

115,395 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11618944

Incident

Sep 28, 2024

Mileage

170,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11605140

Incident

Dec 15, 2019

Mileage

37,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11584561

Incident

Apr 22, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11583377

Incident

Apr 16, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11564585

Incident

Jan 10, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11556958

Incident

Nov 27, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11556952

Incident

Aug 19, 2023

Mileage

74,680 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11556073

Incident

Nov 13, 2023

Mileage

97,500 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11500083

Incident

Jun 17, 2022

Mileage

75,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11494614

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

Mileage

95,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11467740

Incident

May 6, 2022

Mileage

134,298 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11426645

Incident

Sep 21, 2020

Mileage

29,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11403734

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

Mileage

110,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11387774

Incident

Nov 3, 2020

Mileage

152,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11233751

Incident

Mar 1, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID

11229352

Incident

Jun 2, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID

11202807

Incident

Apr 21, 2019

Mileage

69,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11202604

Incident

Mar 21, 2019

Mileage

50,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11171748

Incident

Jan 16, 2019

Mileage

55,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11155443

Incident

Dec 1, 2018

Mileage

88,699 mi