2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Engine Problems

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

NHTSA ID

11730590

Incident

Apr 1, 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 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 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

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

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

NHTSA ID

11103080

Incident

May 17, 2018

Mileage

35,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE "SHUT OFF HYBRID SYSTEM" MESSAGE APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LAKE NORMAN HYUNDAI (20520 CHARTWELL CENTER DR, CORNELIUS, NC 28031, (704) 274-3145) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMP WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,500.

NHTSA ID

11090301

Incident

Apr 24, 2018

Mileage

50,500 mi

HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS TURNED ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, ILLUMINATED "DO NOT DRIVE, PULL OVER SAFELY". TRIED TO PULL OVER SAFELY AND THE CAR STALLED AND WHEELS LOCKED. COULD NOT PULL OVER TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ID

11066064

Incident

Jan 26, 2018

Mileage

46,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SLUDGE AND METAL FRAGMENTS ENTERING THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE STALLED MORE THAN TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NORTH COUNTY HYUNDAI OF CARLSBAD (5285 CAR COUNTRY DR, CARLSBAD, CA 92008, (760) 929-4900) FOR THE FIRST REPAIR. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY REPLACED THE GSI BELTS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME WHO INDICATED THAT THE HYBRID BATTERY DETACHED. THE DEALER RE-ATTACHED THE BATTERY, BUT THIS DID NOT PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V568000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ID

11055562

Incident

Mar 1, 2017

Mileage

88,000 mi

IT HAS OVERHEAT PROBLEM THAT HYUNDAI SERVICE COULDN'T FIX. IT BROKE DOWN 6 TIMES AND WAS 3 TIMES IN THE SHOP. 4/2/17, I WAS ON FASTEST LANE ON 101 FREEWAY IN DOWNTOWN LA. SUDDENLY THE CAR ALARM BEEPS. DASH BOARD DISPLAYED "HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING, SAFELY STOP AND DO NOT DRIVE". THE GAS PEDAL WAS HARD TO PRESS, (GUESS IT GOES INTO PROTECTION MODE. ) FORTUNATELY IT WAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC THAT NO CAR RAM INTO ME FROM BEHIND. I FORCED THE CAR SWITCHED LANES AND EXIT FREEWAY. AFTER I PARKED, THE CAR FROZED. I CAN'T TURN ON THE EMERGENCY SIGNAL. CAN'T SWITCH THE GEAR TO PARK, CAN'T TURN OFF THE ENGINE... I EXIT THE CAR AND WAVE CARS BEHIND ME MOVE AHEAD, THEN I GOT BACK THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE. AFTER IT WAS OFF FOR 30 SECONDS, I CAN TURN THE ENGINE BACK ON AND THE CAR FUNCTIONS LIKE NORMAL. IT WAS UNDER 18000 MILES. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE COOLANT LEAK AND REPLACED IT. 5/15/17, WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY, I FELT THE CAR WAS INTO PROTECTION MODE, HARD TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR. BUT THE ALARM DIDN'T SOUND OFF. I SENT IT IN AND THE SERVICE COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THEY RESET THE COMPUTER OF THE CAR. 6/5/17 THE CAR WAS PARKED IN HOT SUN IN PS FOR 30 MINUTES WHILE ME AND MY REALTOR GO TO CHECK A HOUSE. I STARTED THE CAR FOLLOWING MY REALTOR. I TURNED ON THE AC AND THE ALARM GOES OFF, SAME WARNING SIGN DISPLAYED AND THE CAR JUST FROZE. HYUNDAI SENT A TOW TRUCK AN HOUR LATER. AFTER IN THE SHOP OVERNIGHT, THE SERVICE DEPT SAYS THEY FIXED IT. 6/14. IN PS AGAIN. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN HOT SUN. I GOT IN AND TURN ON THE ENGINE. ALARMS GOES OFF SAME WARNING SIGN. 6/26, WITH A FRIEND ON WAY TO JULIAN, THE CAR ENGINE THRUST THE CAR FORWARD, A SMALL ICON LIT UP. I SLOWED DOWN AND PARKED , THE ALARM GOES OFF, SAME WARNING WORDS ON DASHBOARD. AFTER LET THE CAR COOL OFF, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BUT 20 MINUTES LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11003751

Incident

Jun 26, 2017

Mileage

17,800 mi

A FEW MONTHS AGO THE VEHICLE STALLED AT A RED LIGHT. I FOUND COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME MAKE, YEAR AND MODEL STALLING ON OTHER OWNERS ON THE INTERNET. WENT TO DEALER AND AFTER NUMEROUS HOURS IN THE SHOP THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. TODAY MY 19 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY WITH NO PULL OFF LANES, ONLY CEMENT BARRIERS. THE VEHICLE STALLED AT 60 MPH. SHE ALMOST DIED FROM BEING HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. SHE WAS MISSED BY ONLY A FEW INCHES. THE VEHICLE DID START AGAIN AND SHE GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY. MADE COMPLAINT WITH HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS.

NHTSA ID

10958901

Incident

Mar 6, 2017

Mileage

15,000 mi

PUSH BOTTON START DOESNT A LOT OF THE TIME SEVERAL TIMES A WEKK START THE ENGINE. ALSO, THE SUSPENSION IS TERRIBLY ROUGH. YOU CAN FEEL EVERY BUMP!

NHTSA ID

10863570

Incident

Mar 1, 2016

Mileage

85 mi

WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATE PEDAL THERE SEEMS TO BE A DELAY IN RESPONSE. THE DELAY CAN BE AS SHORT AS A FEW MILLISECONDS TO ALMOST 3 ENTIRE SECONDS. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS RANDOMLY, AND MAKES MY WIFE AND I VERY NERVOUS WHEN TRYING TO MANEUVER OR PROCEED INTO TRAFFIC AFTER BEING STOPPED.

NHTSA ID

10808593

Incident

Oct 1, 2015

Mileage

5,000 mi

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START (PUSH BUTTON) .

NHTSA ID

10763029

Incident

Aug 31, 2015

Mileage

1,250 mi