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2015 Hyundai Elantra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Hyundai Elantra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 182.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

127 reports with mileage · 134 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 91 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

27 crash reports8 fire reports16 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

23 reports
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12,185 miles · Oct 13, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FOR YEARS NOW. 2 OF THE ISSUES THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT EVEN FIX THE PROBLEM. ON 11/15/2016 WITH 12185 MILES ON THE CAR, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY ON THE CAR. ON 05/22/2017 WITH 15516 MILES ON THE CAR, WE HAD TO REPLACE (2) TIRES ON THE CAR BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE BALD. ON 11/03/2017 WITH 18…

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WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FOR YEARS NOW. 2 OF THE ISSUES THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT EVEN FIX THE PROBLEM. ON 11/15/2016 WITH 12185 MILES ON THE CAR, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY ON THE CAR. ON 05/22/2017 WITH 15516 MILES ON THE CAR, WE HAD TO REPLACE (2) TIRES ON THE CAR BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE BALD. ON 11/03/2017 WITH 18268 ON THE CAR, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE OTHER (2) TIRES ON THE CAR BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE BALD. WE HAD PROBLEM WITH THE CAR STALLING. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR.ON 01/18/2018 WITH 20747 MILES ON THE CAR. WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH A SOUND WHEN THE CAR STARTS. WHEN THE CAR STARTS IT SOUNDS LIKE METAL CLINKING. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE CAR IS COLD IN THE MORNING OR ANYTIME OF THE DAY. WHEN I START THE CAR, IT MAKES THIS SOUND. I HAD TO TAPE THE SOUND SO THE SERVICE ADVISOR COULD HEAR THE SOUND. THE TECH COULD NOT HEAR IT. 02/08/2018 WITH 20749 MILES ON THE CAR. WE STILL HAD THE PROBLEM WITH A SOUND WHEN THE CAR STARTED. WHEN THE CAR STARTS IT SOUNDS LIKE METAL CLINKING.THE DEALERSHIP KEPT THE CAR OVERNIGHT. THE NEXT DAY THE TECH DID HEAR THE SOUND. THEY TESTED THE ALTERNATOR AND IT WAS BAD. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR ON THE CAR. AFTER THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR I STILL HAD THE SAME SOUND AS BEFORE. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ALTERNATOR DID NOT STOP THE SOUND. 03/20/2018 WITH 20802 MILES ON THE CAR. WE ARE STILL HAVING THE SAME SOUND WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT TIME OF THE DAY THE CAR IS STARTED, THE SAME SOUND HAPPENS. IT SOUNDS LIKE A METAL CLINKING. I HAD A TAPE OF THE SOUND, THE TECH DID NOT HEAR A THING. WE ARE STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SOUND WHEN THE CAR STARTS. I AM SCARED TO START THE CAR BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. I AM SCARED IT MIGHT BLOW UP WHEN THE CAR STARTS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11140180

20,000 miles · Oct 23, 2015
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed ControlFire

I BEGAN MY LEASE ON MY ELANTRA IN SEPT OF 2014. AT MY YEAR ANNIVERSARY I HAD IT SERVICED BY THE DEALER OF THE LEASE AND WAS GIVEN A CLEAN BILL OF CAR HEALTH. HOWEVER, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CAR HAD, AS I CALLED IT, "A MIND OF ITS OWN" MEANING THAT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, USUALLY SOMEWHERE AROUND 40-55 MPH WITHOUT ME PUSHING DOWN …

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I BEGAN MY LEASE ON MY ELANTRA IN SEPT OF 2014. AT MY YEAR ANNIVERSARY I HAD IT SERVICED BY THE DEALER OF THE LEASE AND WAS GIVEN A CLEAN BILL OF CAR HEALTH. HOWEVER, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CAR HAD, AS I CALLED IT, "A MIND OF ITS OWN" MEANING THAT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, USUALLY SOMEWHERE AROUND 40-55 MPH WITHOUT ME PUSHING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. IT WOULD STOP AS SOON AS I COMPLETELY LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL BUT IT HAPPENED ENOUGH TO BE CONSIDERED STRANGE. I WAS PLANNING TO ASK THE DEALER ABOUT IT AT MY NEXT OIL CHANGE. NOT NECESSARY NOW! SUNDAY AFTERNOON 10/18/15, I WENT TO START THE CAR AND IT SPUTTERED AND STALLED OUT. I TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AGAIN AND IT REPEATED. AFTER THE 3RD TIME AND GIVING IT SOME GAS THE CAR STARTED AND RAN OK. I HAD 3 STOPS THAT I MADE, EACH TIME THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON WITH NO ISSUE. I RETURNED HOME AND NOT EVEN 5 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF, THERE WERE FLAMES SHOOTING OUT BETWEEN THE HOOD AND WINDSHIELD. I HIT THE FIRE EMERGENCY ON MY HOUSE ALARM SYSTEM TO SIGNAL FOR THE FIRE DEPT AND THEN RAN OUTSIDE WITH MY HUSBAND AND 2 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, EMPTYING ONE AND HAVING ZERO EFFECT ON THE FIRE. MY HUSBAND THEN TURNED THE HOSE ON AND WAS TRYING TO CONTAIN THE FIRE WITH THE HOSE WATER. IN THE 10 MINUTES IT TOOK FOR THE FIRE DEPT TO GET THERE, THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS LITERALLY A SHELL OF REMAINING METAL AND DRIPPING MELTED PLASTIC. THE ENTIRE WINDSHEILD EXPLODED FROM THE HEAT OF THE FIRE AND WAS INSIDE THE CAR. INSURANCE INSPECTOR SAYS THE SOURCE CAME FROM BEHIND THE BATTERY - WHICH HE SAID WAS EITHER THE ELECTRIC OR COMPUTER PANEL. EITHER WAY.. IT WAS A SCARY SITUATION. 10 MINUTES IS NOT A VERY LONG TIME TO HAVE THE ENTIRE FRONT END DISINTEGRATE FROM FIRE

NHTSA ODI #10785569

1,003 miles · Jan 7, 2015
Electrical SystemService BrakesUnknown Or Other

I PURCHASED A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA ON NOVEMBER 26TH, 2014. THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW WHEN I PURCHASED IT. ON DECEMBER 23RD I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF AFTER HAVING PARKED AND REMOVED THE KEY. I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE LIGHT TO TURN OFF, BUT I HAD A TRIP SCHEDULED TO VISIT FAMILY DURING THE HOLIDAYS. I WAS FORCED …

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I PURCHASED A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA ON NOVEMBER 26TH, 2014. THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW WHEN I PURCHASED IT. ON DECEMBER 23RD I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF AFTER HAVING PARKED AND REMOVED THE KEY. I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE LIGHT TO TURN OFF, BUT I HAD A TRIP SCHEDULED TO VISIT FAMILY DURING THE HOLIDAYS. I WAS FORCED TO LEAVE THE CAR AT MY HOUSE IN ITS PRESENT STATE. WHEN I REACHED MY DESTINATION ON DECEMBER 24TH I CALLED HYUNDAI (LITHIA SPRINGS) TO TELL THEM ABOUT THE ISSUES AND TO ASK THEM HOW THEY WANTED TO HANDLE THIS ISSUE. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR IN ON JANUARY 3RD. WHEN I RETURNED TO GEORGIA I BROUGHT THE CAR TO HYUNDAI. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE I COULD SMELL A STRONG ODOR REMINISCENT OF SPOILED MILK. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY EXAMINED THE CAR AND INITIALLY TOLD ME THAT THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE BRAKE CLUTCH NOT DEPRESSING PROPERLY. AFTER THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THIS PART HE RETURNED TO TELL METHAT HE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE AND THAT HE SUSPECTED IT TO BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. HE REQUESTED THAT I LEAVE THE CAR WITH HIM SO THAT IT COULD BE WORKED ON AND PLACED ME IN A LOANER VEHICLE. I RECEIVED A CALL TODAY (JANUARY 6TH, 2015) AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ISSUE HAD BEEN ISOLATED AND THAT THE CAR WAS NOT SEALED PROPERLY AND WATER HAD CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES I WAS HAVING. [XXX]. TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REMOVED, CARPET REMOVED, DRIED, AND RESEALED. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN WITH THIS AND LET HIM KNOW THAT I WANTED THE CAR REPLACED IMMEDIATELY, TO WHICH HE DID NOT REPLY. HE TOLD ME THAT HYUNDAI MANUFACTURING WOULD MOST LIKELY NOT REPLACE MY BRAND NEW VEHICLE AND THAT ALL HE COULD DO WAS TRY TO FIX THE ISSUES. I AM TRULY UNHAPPY AND WANT MY MONEY BACK OR A BRAND NEW CAR. I HAVEN'T EVEN DRIVEN THIS CAR 1,000 MILES AND NOT ONLY AM I WITHOUT A CAR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10670793

Official recalls

3

26V307000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

May 14, 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An air bag inflator that ruptures may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or passengers, increasing the risk of injury or death.

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.

24V146000 · Latches/locks/linkages:trunk Lid:latch

Feb 23, 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

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.

23V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Sep 22, 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires

Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · 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 (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities

Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.

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