2015 Hyundai Elantra Problems, Recalls & Reliability

356 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2015 Hyundai Elantra, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 2 defect investigations. It scores 22/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 74,500 miles.

356Complaints
22/100Trouble index
3Recalls
52,750Typical trouble mileage

Typical

Where 2015 sits among all Elantra years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Engine 94 complaints (26%) · typically ~74,500 miles
“I had a complete engine failure. The car had a loud knock sound and the engine shut off leaving the car inoperable.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2015 Elantra
Brakes & stability 55 complaints (15%) · typically ~55,750 miles
“The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Elantra. 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…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2015 Elantra
Other 49 complaints (14%) · typically ~43,000 miles
“The paint from a lot of Hyundai Elantra’s are chipping really bad. The paint is no good!”— owner report to NHTSA, 2015 Elantra
Electrical 28 complaints (8%) · typically ~45,800 miles
“The headlights randomly turn off or switch between high and low beams. This is dangerous especially at night because high beams can impair another driver's vision or having the lights turn off completely makes me unseen on the road. My car is available for inspection upon request. When I have gone…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2015 Elantra
Steering 26 complaints (7%) · typically ~42,150 miles
“Power steering locks up while driving at high speed, could not turn wheel. Took a picture once slowed down to 20mph. Turned car off and on and was able to continue driving. Attempted to make a 3 pt turn to park, steering locked up again.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2015 Elantra
Airbags 23 complaints (6%) · typically ~29,000 miles

Mileage when trouble shows up

Among the 162 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 52,750 miles. Half of those reports fall between 29,000 and 87,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.

Recalls (3)

AIR BAGS 26V307000 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.

Fix: 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…

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 24V146000 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…

Fix: 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.…

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 23V651000 2023 Park outside

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…

Fix: 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,…

Federal defect investigations

Still open as of the last data refresh. An investigation is not a recall; it may close with no action. All open investigations →

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires AQ23002 opened November 17, 2023 · still open

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units…

Model years named: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

Throttle control system vulnerabilities DP21003 opened 2021, closed 2023

Technical service bulletins

144 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2015 Hyundai Elantra. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2015 Elantra TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2014peak 72 in 20232026

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2015 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

The 2015 Hyundai Elantra drew 356 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 22/100, scored against the model's worst year (2013).

What are the most common 2015 Hyundai Elantra problems?

The top reported problems for the 2015 Hyundai Elantra are engine (94 complaints), brakes & stability (55), and other (49).

At what mileage do 2015 Hyundai Elantra problems show up?

Owners most often report 2015 Hyundai Elantra problems around 52,750 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 29,000 and 87,000 miles.

Does the 2015 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

3 recall campaigns apply to the 2015 Hyundai Elantra. At least one carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning — check your VIN before driving.

← 2014 Elantra All Elantra years 2016 Elantra →
Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.