IllustrationWHEN I TRY TO CLOSE THE SUNROOF IT WILL NOT CLOSE. I HAVE TO TRY IT 3 TO 4 TIMES UNTIL IT FINALLY CLOSES.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Elantra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
310–25K
2725–50K
2650–75K
1975–100K
19100–150K
5150K+
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 reportsSTEERING WHEEL HAS WHAT FEELS LIKE A NOTCH IN IT. IT SITS RIGHT WHERE YOU HAVE TO ADJUST THE STEERING AS YOU DRIVE. YOU HAVE TO CONSTANTLY COMPENSATE FOR THIS. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER THEY RESET SOMETHING BUT IT IS BACK AGAIN.
THE STEERING SYSTEM DEVELOPS A STICKY/DEAD ZONE THAT FEELS LIKE A NOTCH IN THE STEERING, RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. IT REQUIRES A BIT OF FORCE TO MAKE MICRO CORRECTIONS OR TO GET PAST THAT HARD RESISTANCE. IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY.
ON JANUARY 18, 2016 I WAS EXISTING A PARKED HYUNDAI ELANTRA AND MY RIGHT THUMP GOT JAMMED IN THE DOOR OF THE DRIVER SIDE, I TRIED TO THE OPEN THE DOOR TO RELEASE MY FINGER IT WAS SHUT TIGHT AND DID NOT RELEASE. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES IT FINALLY OPENED CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY FINGER. I WASN'T AWARE THAT THIS MODEL HAS SUCH A PROBLEM…
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ON JANUARY 18, 2016 I WAS EXISTING A PARKED HYUNDAI ELANTRA AND MY RIGHT THUMP GOT JAMMED IN THE DOOR OF THE DRIVER SIDE, I TRIED TO THE OPEN THE DOOR TO RELEASE MY FINGER IT WAS SHUT TIGHT AND DID NOT RELEASE. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES IT FINALLY OPENED CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY FINGER. I WASN'T AWARE THAT THIS MODEL HAS SUCH A PROBLEM, OTHERWISE WILL NOT HAVE RENTED IT FOR ENTERPRISE. THERE IS DOCUMENTATION OF THE PROBLEM FROM OTHER PEOPLE THAT THIS MODEL HAS A FAULTY DOOR BUT HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA REFUSES TO BEAR THE BLAME FOR THEIR MALFUNCTIONED CAR.
MOVING SLOWLY TO RIGHT LANE & AIRBAG DEPLOYED.
COMING OUT OF LEFT HAND TURN, AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING CUTS & CHAFFS ON BOTH ARMS AND CAUSING ME TO HIT A CONCRETE MEDIUM BLOWING OUT 3 TIRES.
THE ELANTRA THAT HAD 18000 MILES ON IT BURST INTO FLAMES AFTER SETTING OVERNIGHT. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THE NIGHT BEFORE AND IT BURST INTO FLAMES IN MY DRIVEWAY AND COMPLETELY BURNED UP. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO COME OUT AND PUT THE CAR OUT. THEY INVESTIGATED THE FIRE AND FOUND THERE WAS NO FOUL PLAY. IT IS UNKNOWN…
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THE ELANTRA THAT HAD 18000 MILES ON IT BURST INTO FLAMES AFTER SETTING OVERNIGHT. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THE NIGHT BEFORE AND IT BURST INTO FLAMES IN MY DRIVEWAY AND COMPLETELY BURNED UP. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO COME OUT AND PUT THE CAR OUT. THEY INVESTIGATED THE FIRE AND FOUND THERE WAS NO FOUL PLAY. IT IS UNKNOWN TO US WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE BUT WE FEEL IT HAD TO BE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL.
I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 2-5MPH TURNING LEFT AND STRUCK DIRECTLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE VEHICLE THAT STRUCK ME WAS GOING ABOUT 40MPH AND WAS TRAVELING STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOWED AWAY FROM THE SCENE. NONE OF MY AIR BAGS, EVEN THE DRIVER DOOR AIR BAGS DESIGNED TO GO OFF IN THIS …
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I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 2-5MPH TURNING LEFT AND STRUCK DIRECTLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE VEHICLE THAT STRUCK ME WAS GOING ABOUT 40MPH AND WAS TRAVELING STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOWED AWAY FROM THE SCENE. NONE OF MY AIR BAGS, EVEN THE DRIVER DOOR AIR BAGS DESIGNED TO GO OFF IN THIS TYPE OF ACCIDENT WERE DEPLOYED. I SMASHED THE LEFT SIDE OF MY HEAD INTO THE WINDOW OF MY CAR , A CUT ACROSS MY LEFT CLAVICLE, RECEIVED FACIAL BRUISING, A CONCUSSION, AND AM HAVING ONGOING MEDICAL ISSUES RELATED TO WHIPLASH AND THE DISPLACEMENT OF MY NECK SPINE AND SHOULDERS. I ALSO HAD A PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE WHO IS ALSO HAVING ON GOING MEDICAL ISSUES. THE DRIVER DOOR ON THIS CAR WAS COMPLETELY CAVED IN AND WOULD NOT OPEN, AND THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE BACK DOOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE ALSO. THE AIRBAGS NOT BEING DEPLOYED WHEN THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS IN THIS CAR. OVER $7500 OF DAMAGES WERE MADE TO THIS 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING IN A RURAL AREA, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO OFFER ADEQUATE VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLAMPS MET THE MANUFACTURER ALIGNMENT STANDARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING IN A RURAL AREA, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO OFFER ADEQUATE VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLAMPS MET THE MANUFACTURER ALIGNMENT STANDARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,000. UDATED 08/02/16*LJ *CN
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.
Official recalls
326V307000 · 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
2AQ23002 · 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.