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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

What owners actually said

261 reports
87,000 miles · Feb 20, 2020
Unknown Or Other

WHENEVER IT RAINS MY TRUNK FILLS UP WITH WATER. I THROUGH THAT MAYBE IT WAS THE LINING ON MY VEHICLE BUT IT IS INTACT. WHEN THE TRUNKS FILLS UP IT GETS SO HIGH THAT IT FLOWS TO THE BACKS SEATS AND SOAKING THEM. IF NOT MAINTAINED PROPERLY IT WILL CAUSE A VERY BAD ODOR AND MOLD. IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN …

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WHENEVER IT RAINS MY TRUNK FILLS UP WITH WATER. I THROUGH THAT MAYBE IT WAS THE LINING ON MY VEHICLE BUT IT IS INTACT. WHEN THE TRUNKS FILLS UP IT GETS SO HIGH THAT IT FLOWS TO THE BACKS SEATS AND SOAKING THEM. IF NOT MAINTAINED PROPERLY IT WILL CAUSE A VERY BAD ODOR AND MOLD. IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11310427

30,880 miles · Feb 12, 2020
Structure

PAINT IS PEELING, FIRST TIME WAS ON THE FRONT ROOF AND THE MOST RECENT WAS ON THE TOP OF THE DECKLID SEE PHOTO ATTACHED. LOCAL DEALER IS UNSURE IF IT FALLS UNDER WARRANTY SO I HAD TO TAKE IT TO A PAINTSHOP OUTSIDE THE DEALER TO GET IT REPAINT. THE PAINT REPAIR TECHNICIAN SAID THAT HAPPENS WHEN SHEETMETAL GETS CONTAMINATED PRIOR …

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PAINT IS PEELING, FIRST TIME WAS ON THE FRONT ROOF AND THE MOST RECENT WAS ON THE TOP OF THE DECKLID SEE PHOTO ATTACHED. LOCAL DEALER IS UNSURE IF IT FALLS UNDER WARRANTY SO I HAD TO TAKE IT TO A PAINTSHOP OUTSIDE THE DEALER TO GET IT REPAINT. THE PAINT REPAIR TECHNICIAN SAID THAT HAPPENS WHEN SHEETMETAL GETS CONTAMINATED PRIOR TO GETTING PAINTED. SEE PHOTO ATTACHED. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN PAINT PEELED OFF. IT STARTS LIKE A BLISTER THEN PEELS OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11308733

40,000 miles · Feb 3, 2020
Steering

WHILE DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER BACK TO COLLEGE THIS JANUARY (2020) MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH NOTICED THAT THE STEERING ON HER 2015 ELANTRA WAS STICKING. WE ONLY NOTICED IT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT SEEMED TO BE FINE AT LOWER SPEEDS AND WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IN TOWN ONCE WE GOT TO HER SCHOOL. BUT IT WAS REALLY BAD ON THE HIGHWAY, ESPE…

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WHILE DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER BACK TO COLLEGE THIS JANUARY (2020) MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH NOTICED THAT THE STEERING ON HER 2015 ELANTRA WAS STICKING. WE ONLY NOTICED IT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT SEEMED TO BE FINE AT LOWER SPEEDS AND WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IN TOWN ONCE WE GOT TO HER SCHOOL. BUT IT WAS REALLY BAD ON THE HIGHWAY, ESPECIALLY ONCE THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR 10 MINUTES OR SO. IT WOULD DRIVE STRAIGHT, BUT AS SOON AS THERE WAS ANY KIND OF GRADUAL CURVE IN THE ROAD IT WOULD STICK IN THE STRAIGHT POSITION AND NEED EXTRA FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO FOLLOW THE ROAD. THAT WOULD RESULT IN OVER TURNING THAT NEEDED CORRECTING BACK. THIS SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS. I CANNOT BELIEVE WITH THE OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN ONLINE THAT THIS ISSUE DOES NOT AT LEAST HAVE A SERVICE BULLETIN ATTACHED TO IT.

NHTSA ODI #11306736

86,500 miles · Jan 20, 2020
Air BagsCrashInjury

ON NOV 8TH 2019 I WAS T-BONED ON MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE, BY A DRIVER THAT RAN THEIR RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. MY LIGHT WAS GREEN AND I WAS IN MOTION THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE TIME OF IMPACT. I HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL IN AN AMBULANCE BECAUSE OF INJURIES. AS I READ COMPLAINTS THOUGH, I SEE PEOP…

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ON NOV 8TH 2019 I WAS T-BONED ON MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE, BY A DRIVER THAT RAN THEIR RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. MY LIGHT WAS GREEN AND I WAS IN MOTION THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE TIME OF IMPACT. I HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL IN AN AMBULANCE BECAUSE OF INJURIES. AS I READ COMPLAINTS THOUGH, I SEE PEOPLE AIRBAGS ARE DEPLOYING WITHOUT IMPACT.

NHTSA ODI #11300481

70,000 miles · Jan 3, 2020
Unknown Or Other

THE PAINT HAS STARTED TO CHIP ON MULTIPLES OF THIS VEHICLE. IN THE SAME EXACT SPOTS.

NHTSA ODI #11296856

58,000 miles · Dec 31, 2019
Service Brakes

SMALL CONNECTER, BETWEEN THE BRAKES AND THE BREAK LIGHT SWITCH INDICATOR, MADE OF PLASTIC WORE AWAY. RESULTED IN THE BREAKS GOING ALL THE WAY AND CAUSING THE BREAK LIGHTS TO STAY ON, EVEN WHEN CAR IS OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11292278

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2019
Air BagsInjury

AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING WITH OUT IMPACT.

NHTSA ODI #11287995

50,000 miles · Oct 10, 2019
Unknown Or OtherFire

THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAS STATIONARY AND HOOKED UP TO JUMPER CABLES TO JUMP A DEAD CAR. THE ELANTRA WAS RUNNING TO ALLOW THE OTHER CAR TO CHARGE. THE FUSE BOX ON THE ELANTRA CAUGHT FIRE WHICH SPREAD TO THE JUMPER CABLES AND TO THE OTHER CAR. THERE WAS MUCH MORE DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE ELANTRA THAN THERE WAS TO THE OTHER CAR,…

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THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAS STATIONARY AND HOOKED UP TO JUMPER CABLES TO JUMP A DEAD CAR. THE ELANTRA WAS RUNNING TO ALLOW THE OTHER CAR TO CHARGE. THE FUSE BOX ON THE ELANTRA CAUGHT FIRE WHICH SPREAD TO THE JUMPER CABLES AND TO THE OTHER CAR. THERE WAS MUCH MORE DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE ELANTRA THAN THERE WAS TO THE OTHER CAR, WHICH ONLY HAD MINOR COSMETIC BURNING. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ELANTRA AND THE DAMAGE HAS NOT YET BEEN ASSESSED.

NHTSA ODI #11267657

126,700 miles · Oct 9, 2019
Engine

THE ENGINE ON MY CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND GET IT STARTED AGAIN. I TURNED AROUND TO GO BACK HOME AND IT STARTED KNOCKING AND STALLED AGAIN. AFTER THAT, IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO SAID THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED. THEY WERE ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN BUT I…

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THE ENGINE ON MY CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND GET IT STARTED AGAIN. I TURNED AROUND TO GO BACK HOME AND IT STARTED KNOCKING AND STALLED AGAIN. AFTER THAT, IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO SAID THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED. THEY WERE ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN BUT IT WAS KNOCKING LOUDLY. I ENDED UP HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WHICH COST CLOSE TO $6000 FOR A USED ENGINE. I HAD CLOSE TO 127,000 MILES ON THE CAR (I DRIVE 100 MILES PER DAY FOR WORK) AND HYUNDAI WOULD NOT HELP SINCE I AM OUT OF THE WARRANTY MILEAGE.

NHTSA ODI #11267226

48,241 miles · Sep 25, 2019
Steering

I HAVE BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH TRYING TO KEEP THE CAR DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE HIGHWAY. AT "IN TOWN SPEEDS" IT SEEMS FINE. IT FEELS AS IF THE STEERING WHEEL GETS STUCK IN PLACE OR LOCKED UP. THE CAR WANTS TO ALWAYS GO EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT, WHICHEVER WAY THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO SLIGHTLY. I THOUGHT THAT IT MAY BE T…

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I HAVE BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH TRYING TO KEEP THE CAR DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE HIGHWAY. AT "IN TOWN SPEEDS" IT SEEMS FINE. IT FEELS AS IF THE STEERING WHEEL GETS STUCK IN PLACE OR LOCKED UP. THE CAR WANTS TO ALWAYS GO EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT, WHICHEVER WAY THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO SLIGHTLY. I THOUGHT THAT IT MAY BE THE TIRES SO I HAD THEM ROTATED, NO CHANGE. I BOUGHT NEW TIRES, STILL NO CHANGE. I HAD THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED AND ALL STEERING AND SUSPENSION ITEMS VISUALLY INSPECTED AND ALL WAS FINE. IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, AND NOW IS TO THE POINT WHERE I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH TODAY TO SEE IF OTHERS HAD RUN INTO THIS ISSUE FOR A POSSIBLE SOLUTION. WOW WAS I SURPRISED TO SEE HOW MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE. I THEN CAME TO YOUR SITE AND ENTERED MY VIN AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE. AS I WAS READING ON I FOUND WHERE TO ENTER A COMPLAINT HERE SO I AM DOING SO IN HOPES TO HAVE A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM THAT MANY ARE HAVING.

NHTSA ODI #11258199

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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