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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.

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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

Steering complaints

26 reports
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16,250 miles · Apr 16, 2016
Steering

THIS IS OUR SECOND NEW HYUNDAI ELANTRA, MODEL YEAR 2015. AFTER ABOUT 16,000 MILES, WE NOTICED A "GLITCH" THAT SEEMED TO BE OCCURRING AT HIGHER, BUT MODEST SPEEDS (40-65 MPH). THE SMOOTH STEERING-WHEEL RANGE OF MOTION THAT WE ARE NORMALLY USED TO SEEMED TO CHANGE AT ROAD SPEEDS, EXHIBITING A POINT WHERE MINOR L-R STEERING-WHEEL A…

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THIS IS OUR SECOND NEW HYUNDAI ELANTRA, MODEL YEAR 2015. AFTER ABOUT 16,000 MILES, WE NOTICED A "GLITCH" THAT SEEMED TO BE OCCURRING AT HIGHER, BUT MODEST SPEEDS (40-65 MPH). THE SMOOTH STEERING-WHEEL RANGE OF MOTION THAT WE ARE NORMALLY USED TO SEEMED TO CHANGE AT ROAD SPEEDS, EXHIBITING A POINT WHERE MINOR L-R STEERING-WHEEL ADJUSTMENTS WERE STIFF, ALMOST LIKE A "DETENT" IN A NORMAL SMOOTH RANGE OF MOTION. RESEARCHING THIS BEHAVIOR, I ALSO FOUND COMMENTS ON THE NET THAT WERE DESCRIBED AS "STICKY" STEERING WITH 2012 MODEL ELANTRAS...SEEMED LIKE A GOOD DESCRIPTIVE TERM. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED BY AN WHEEL ALIGNMENT LAST WEEK, BUT A RE-VISIT TO THE DEALER TODAY AND DISCUSSION WITH THEIR SERVICE MANAGER, SUGGESTED THAT THERE MAY BE A STEERING ASSIST-PUMP SERVO ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN KNOWN TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE SYMPTOMS. THERE WAS A DISCUSSION WITH THE SVC MANGER OF A REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. I WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT THAT ACTION WILL SOLVE THE MATTER.

NHTSA ODI #10859895

79,900 miles · Apr 10, 2016
Steering

WHEN VEHICLE IS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH THE STEERING STICKS AT CENTER POSITION. NEED TO OVER STEER TO GET VEHICLE BACK INTO A STRAIGHT LINE ON HIGHWAY. TOLD THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY BRUSHED IT OFF AS A NO DEFECT. THIS PROBLEM IS MORE THAN JUST A NUISANCE ESPECIALLY DRIVING ON SNOW AND ICE. DEFINITELY A MAJOR SAFE…

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WHEN VEHICLE IS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH THE STEERING STICKS AT CENTER POSITION. NEED TO OVER STEER TO GET VEHICLE BACK INTO A STRAIGHT LINE ON HIGHWAY. TOLD THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY BRUSHED IT OFF AS A NO DEFECT. THIS PROBLEM IS MORE THAN JUST A NUISANCE ESPECIALLY DRIVING ON SNOW AND ICE. DEFINITELY A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED ASAP. PROBLEM SEEMS TO GET WORSE AS THE ENGINE WARMS UP. POSSIBLE STEERING CONTROL MODULE FAILURE, UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10854619

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2015
SteeringCrash

ON THE EVENING OF 4/7/2015 I RENTED A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA FROM ENTERPRISE. THE NEXT EVENING, 4/8/2015 AT ABOUT 10:30PM, I WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE RV PARK WHERE WE WERE STAYING. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH AND HAD JUST DRIVEN OVER A SMALL BRIDGE THAT HAD A VERY SLIGHT BUMP AT THE END BEFORE THE ROAD CURVED SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT. A…

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ON THE EVENING OF 4/7/2015 I RENTED A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA FROM ENTERPRISE. THE NEXT EVENING, 4/8/2015 AT ABOUT 10:30PM, I WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE RV PARK WHERE WE WERE STAYING. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH AND HAD JUST DRIVEN OVER A SMALL BRIDGE THAT HAD A VERY SLIGHT BUMP AT THE END BEFORE THE ROAD CURVED SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT. AS I WENT OVER THE BUMP THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I FOUND MYSELF HEADING STRAIGHT INTO THE WOODEN WALL ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. I COULD NOT GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN TO THE LEFT, AWAY FROM THE WALL, AND CRASHED THROUGH IT. LUCKILY, BECAUSE I WAS GOING SO SLOW, I DID NOT WIND UP GOING INTO THE CONCRETE AND STEEL RETAINER WALL BEHIND THE WOODEN WALL, AND NO ONE WAS HURT. THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND THE WOODEN WALL, HOWEVER, WERE BADLY DAMAGED. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER ALSO HAD PROBLEMS GETTING THE STEERING TO RESPOND WHEN HE WAS BACKING THE CAR OUT OF THE WALL. IT FINALLY UNLOCKED AFTER HE KEPT AT IT FOR A FEW MINUTES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704997

100 miles · Apr 9, 2015
SteeringSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN DRIVING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE SWAYED BACK AND FORTH. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN DRIVING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE SWAYED BACK AND FORTH. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. UPDATED 5/12/15*CN

NHTSA ODI #10704629

15,000 miles · Mar 28, 2015
SteeringSuspension

THE CAR SWAYS BACK AND FORTH WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TIRES AND ALIGNMENT, WERE CHECKED AND EVERYTHING IS GOOD. CAN NOT STAY IN A STRAIGHT LINE FOR VERY LONG. SWITCHED FROM COMFORT, SPORT, NORMAL AND NO DIFFERENCE. IF THERE IS LITTLE WIND OUT THE CAR GETS EVEN WORSE AND DOES NOT STAY STRAIGHT. NO ONE AT THE DEALERSHIP CAN…

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THE CAR SWAYS BACK AND FORTH WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TIRES AND ALIGNMENT, WERE CHECKED AND EVERYTHING IS GOOD. CAN NOT STAY IN A STRAIGHT LINE FOR VERY LONG. SWITCHED FROM COMFORT, SPORT, NORMAL AND NO DIFFERENCE. IF THERE IS LITTLE WIND OUT THE CAR GETS EVEN WORSE AND DOES NOT STAY STRAIGHT. NO ONE AT THE DEALERSHIP CAN EXPLAIN AND SEEMS THEY DON'T CARE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10702325

500 miles · Nov 11, 2014
Steering

THE STEERING COLUMN HAVE UNUSUAL OVERHEAT, THEY BEGIN TO WARM, AT 30 MINUTES OF NORMAL DRIVING , THE COLUMN HAVE 122 FAHRENHEIT DEGREES, IN THE INTERIOR, EXACTLY IN THE LEGS, ITS RISKY TO MY HEALTH PLEASECHECK IT, THE DEALER, REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN , BUT THE FAULT REMAINS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654095

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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