2015 Hyundai Sonata Body & structure Problems

I was driving my 2015 Hyundai Sonata approximately 35 mph after leaving the Hyundai dealership following an engine replacement when the hood unexpectedly flew completely open without warning. The hood struck the windshield, completely obstructing my forward visibility and creating an extremely dangerous situation. I was able to safely pull over without causing a collision, but the vehicle sustained extensive damage and was declared a total loss by my insurance company. During the same service visit in which the engine was replaced, the dealership recommended replacing the hood latches, but I declined that repair. Hyundai later informed me that the hood latching system was functioning properly after the engine replacement and that the vehicle passed its post-repair inspection and road test. Approximately one mile after leaving the dealership following the engine replacement, the hood unexpectedly opened while I was driving. There were no hood-ajar warnings, warning lights, or other indications that the hood was not properly secured before the incident. The sudden loss of visibility created a serious risk of a crash that could have resulted in severe injury or death. I am submitting this complaint because I believe this incident represents a significant vehicle safety issue that should be investigated.

NHTSA ID

11753510

Incident

Jun 29, 2026

The vehicle’s sunroof just flew off the car at 31 miles per hour (the whole part), Hyundai had a safety recall for that and it was done in the past, the problem is that happened exactly what the recall were suppose to prevent, it was my wife and 2 kids on my car and I’m glad it was before she enter the highway, it would cause a major wreck with multiple vehicles. The car behind her had a dash cam and recorded the event, I’ll upload for better understanding. I’m also posting it on the social media to get publicity on the event.

NHTSA ID

11701706

Incident

Nov 18, 2025

The paint started peeling off in large sections.

NHTSA ID

11701032

Incident

Oct 21, 2025

Peeling / Chipping Paint

NHTSA ID

11662892

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

On Friday, April 18, I opened my panoramic sunroof on my car. When I did, the wind deflector became detached from the sunroof mechanism. So I attempted to close the sunroof and when I did, the would not close all the way and the sunroof appeared to become off track. No the roof will not close all the way leaving it popped open about an inch. I called a couple of Hyundai dealers and they both said that there was an extended warranty provided by Hyundai. Based on my car’s original purchase date, I am out of warranty by 6 weeks on time but under the mileage of 120,000 mileage limit. . I have read that this has caused the glass portion of the sunroof to blow out of the car because it won’t close all the way. I believe that this poses a threat not only to me and my passengers as well as possibly someone riding behind me me getting hit because the sunroof came loose and hitting them as well.

NHTSA ID

11655631

Incident

Apr 17, 2025

While driving under normal highway conditions, the sunroof detached from the vehicle while still in the closed position. This caused extreme danger to other drivers and property and could have caused a fatality if it would have hit a motorcyclist or other unprotected person. There was a recall for this (Recall Campaign 152: 2015-2016 Sonata Panoramic Sunroof) and the vehicle was delivered to the dealer during the recall period for inspection and presumed fix. There was no warning that anything was wrong previous to the incident.

NHTSA ID

11651708

Incident

Mar 22, 2025

On 03/14 I was driving down the road the with the sunroof open the wind flap suddenly went to flying making a loud sound I pulled over and saw that it was loose and hanging I went to press the button to attempt to close it and it semi closed. I went and had it looked at and was told that it was broken and could not be closed and needed to be replaced I was told it was a common issue with Hyundais and to contact the company

NHTSA ID

11648386

Incident

Mar 14, 2025

Unknown I pulled up to a gas station filled up my car coming back frome work like usual i finish I take off not even 1 mile and it started lacking the batteries got drained and it turned off I try to turn it back on and all it does is give me a message telling me to check charging system

NHTSA ID

11629061

Incident

Dec 3, 2024

white paint flaking off hood roof and trunk areas to bare metal. it gets worse when car is washed

NHTSA ID

11622612

Incident

Feb 1, 2023

My cars' dashboard started cracking after about 3 years of ownership (purchased new), which we though was weird. It is almost 10 years old now and the dashboard has cracked all over. I have taken it to the dealership for recalls and repairs and was told that it was a common problem for these cars, which I'm surprised that it has not been recalled. They said that they would report it but I'm not sure. We have owned more than a dozen cars and we have never seen that happen to a car so early on. I'm not sure if it poses any dangers with air bags or other functions, other than visual defect. I'm just trying to get it reported. I also emailed Hyundai.

NHTSA ID

11620882

Incident

Oct 20, 2018

I purchased a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Two years ago, I'm having issues with my car paint peeling off in the hood, roof and trunk. Many times I when to the dealer to ask them about the recall, and they state that there is nothing they can do since they did not have anything registered for a paint peeling recall. My car day by day is getting worse and I need help for this issue to be fix.

NHTSA ID

11609646

Incident

Feb 2, 2022

Vehicle has manufacturer defect paint started to peel

NHTSA ID

11609209

Incident

Aug 9, 2021

While driving on the highway Emmy pearl white paint began chipping on my car flying up into my field of vision which not only was distracting while driving but appeared as if it came from another vehicle even though it as from my vehicle. Prior to pulling over to see what happened, I ended up trying to avoid this thing that flew into my field of vision out of no where when I realized it was my chipping paint. I have contacted Hyundai who states they aren’t liable for the damage as it is out of their paint warranty. If this issue doesn’t get resolved and these car companies aren’t held liable for their known mistake, then more accidents will occur in the future.

NHTSA ID

11596315

Incident

Jun 24, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof wind deflector detached from the vehicle and flew off. The local dealer where the vehicle was serviced under an unknown recall related to the failure was contacted; however, the contact was informed that the recall repair was completed in 2017 as a one-time free repair. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the recall was a one-time repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11591361

Incident

May 2, 2024

Mileage

150,000 mi

THE ENGINE FAILURE, ROD BEARINGS FAILURE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING, CAR NOT ABLE TPO ACCELARATE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND OTHER LIGHTS POPPED ON. LOUD NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE WORN BELTS, KNOCKING NOISE AND OIL PRESSURE LOSS. MY DAUGHTER'S SAFETY AND MINE WAS PUT MAJOR RISK. THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR LOST POWER SEIZED UP. COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDIENT. THE DEALER AND MECHANICS HAVE INSPECTED AND CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND OTHER LIGHTS. VERY STRESSFUL AND CAUSED MAJOR ANXIETY DUE TO THIS.

NHTSA ID

11587675

Incident

Apr 22, 2024

Mileage

202,866 mi

White pearl paint is peeling on the hood, roof and trunk.

NHTSA ID

11584366

Incident

Apr 20, 2024

The panoramic sunroof wind deflector is off I seen online there was a recall about that. I call hyundai customer service about it they said it's been fix already in 2016. I'm a new owner and not sure where the work was done before I got it, but it came unglued again. I purchased the car from John amato hyundai dealership and get the services done there because I'm under a forever warranty and can't going anywhere eles because of the warranty. Which nothing is done free on it and all the work I've had done from them I believe they don't do everything because it still rides and sounds the same and there #1 excuse is that's how hyundai cars sounds. So with that being said if John amato fixed it, I see why it failed again. Can check my car to see if recalls were really preformed and done correctly and what's needed now to be like new again.

NHTSA ID

11536346

Incident

Jul 16, 2022

We have a 2015 hyundai sonata with a panoramic sunroof. About 2 weeks ago we opened the sunroof and noticed the wind deflector popped up higher than normal. When we tried to close the sunroof it would not close. The deflector was sticking up and we had to push it down quickly to avoid punching our hands in the sunroof. It still did not want to close after we tried, but the sunroof was down almost all the way. We called hyundai the same day to get it looked at. We thought maybe it broke something in the process of closing because it didn't look closed 100%. They could not get us in until mid August. We were not too concerned because the sunroof was mostly closed down so rain could not get in. Today driving about 50 mph the sunroof just FLEW off the car and shattered into a million pieces in full traffic. Someone could have been seriously injured!! There was absolutely no indication that the sunroof was not secure on our vehicle otherwise we would not have drove it

NHTSA ID

11532503

Incident

Jul 15, 2023

My driver side seat belt when taken off does not retract back to normal position. Also my color urban Sunset is starting to fade on the back spoiler and truck Area. Thank you Any help would be appreciated

NHTSA ID

11510529

Incident

Mar 11, 2020

I purchased my 2015 Hyundai Sonata new in Hawaii while stationed there with the military. A few years later the paint on the hood and roof started to peel as seen in the picture with the hand. I took the car back to the dealership I purchased it from and inquired about the peeling paint (the car was barely driven as Hawaii is small and i was deployed most of the year). The attendant said it was not covered and there was nothing Hyundai could do about it. I then paid out of pocket over $500 to get these areas painted. Recently now January 2023, the paint started peeling in numerous locations (except where i had gotten the car professionally painted to fix the previous peeling). It has been flying off while driving in patches which made me nervous. I am currently stationed in NJ, so i went to the local Hyundai prior to deployment in November and the attendant said it was a known issue with my color paint (it was defective) then he took pictures to file the claim. Hyundai came back and said they would cover 75% of the cost leaving me to pay about $400 out of pocket. i was not ok with this as i had already paid out of pocket for their mistake, and the car was continuing to peel even just in the week that passed so i am sure down the road it will peel. i called customer care (as that was what the dealership directed me to do since i was not happy with 75%) i spoke to a manager who said it is up to the dealership what they want to cover. i told the manager the dealership said it was up to Hyundai and to contact customer care, the manager then hung up on me. at that point, i called the dealership back and explained what happen. they said that was not true and the could offer 75%.

NHTSA ID

11507488

Incident

Dec 6, 2022

The bug guard/wind deflector has become detached (AGAIN) on my panoramic sunroof while driving on the freeway. It puts myself & passengers as well as other people driving on the freeway in danger as there is a known issue that the detached bug guard/wind deflector is what causes detaching window panels or shattered sunroof panels. I took my vehicle to the Dealership in Salt Lake City, UT for a repair on the bug guard and was told since it had been repaired before through the original recall, they would not repair it again. (the fix is loctite super glue). I asked about my warranty on the panoramic sunroof and they told me that it only covers the glass and I would need to pay $160.00 for the diagnosis of the detached bug guard. - which can be seen by opening the sunroof. I spoke with the service manager of the dealership as the simple fix of super glue is much less expensive than fixing my glass and he told me it since the repair had already been made on the original recall that they would do nothing if the glass wasn't broken. There was no warning lamp or other symptoms, it just suddenly became detached while driving on the freeway.

NHTSA ID

11493638

Incident

Nov 14, 2022

Paint peeled off hood, initially causing a distraction while driving, while it fluttered, then when departing the hood it stuck to the windshield causing a visibility issue before using the wipers to remove it. Dealer said it's a known issue with this paint color, but said the warranty period was over.

NHTSA ID

11488910

Incident

Sep 14, 2022

When auto lights are engaged and the blinkers are engaged, the light will turn off and it will blink in the wrong direction for a few times and then blink the correct direction. While in auto lights and you turn a curve they will sometimes go off. Now I have an issue with my AC - it goes on and off randomly. Had it looked at and they cannot find an issue with the components but said it could be an electrical issue. BYW, Hyundai replaced the motor in this car as well because it had so many issues. I was told the issues now could be caused from them replacing the motor and causing an electrical issue. The paint is also peeling and they had a recall on the paint, but the paint on my car didn't start peeling until after their warranty had expired. This is a known issue with 2015 models - they know the paint is bad but won't fix it. Car manufacturers should be held accountable for what they put on the market, or at least fix what are known issues for multiple vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11480071

Incident

Aug 11, 2022

In Nov 2021, the door handle on the rear driver side door came off. Today, the front driver door handle broke. This is a huge safety matter because I cannot get into my car without opening the front passenger door and crawling into the driver seat. In the case of an emergency, this could be detrimental. There are also other reports of door handles falling off on the Internet (https://www.abcactionnews.com/money/consumer/taking-action-for-you/door-handle-defect-forces-woman-to-crawl-through-the-back-of-her-car-to-get-to-the-drivers-seat?_amp=true). I have called Hyundai and they refuse to do anything about this issue and it costs 300+ per handle to replace. There is no reason door handles should be falling off…especially ones that you don’t use as often, such as the one for my rear driver side door.

NHTSA ID

11479810

Incident

Aug 17, 2022

The biggest problem is that the oil is going into the spark plugs this started happening approx 1 year ago and I have been complaining about this to Hyundai to the B.B.B. and the Attny Generals office I am told to take it too hyundai dealership whenI mentioned they will charge me to tell me what I have already been told I was told by Hyundai they can not control there own dealership??? Keep in mind I still owe on this vehicle and have not owned it for even 5 years...The paint is coming off all over the vehicle and the seat belts do not retract as they are suppose too! This is not the first Hyundai Sonata I have owned but it still has existing problems and family and friends have the same problems,Please help to get this fixed!!Thank you Vehicle was purchased in Danvers, MA

NHTSA ID

11466332

Incident

Jul 15, 2021