The engine failed on a 2015 Hyundai Elantra with approximately 71,000 miles. The vehicle has an open, unresolved safety recall (Recall 251, the federal safety agency #23V651000) for an ABS module brake fluid leak that Hyundai has acknowledged but has not provided a remedy for. The vehicle is currently at an independent repair facility and is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle repeatedly shut off without warning while in motion and restarted mid-drive, causing sudden loss of power steering and power brakes while driving. This occurred on multiple occasions and was documented by an independent service center in February 2026. This presents a serious risk of accident, injury, or death to the driver and others on the road. The check engine light was illuminated. The vehicle experienced recurring brake issues requiring multiple repairs over several years, including brake replacement before 2026 and rear rotor, brake pad, and brake line repairs in February 2026. These brake symptoms are consistent with the known ABS module defect covered under open Recall 251. The engine shutoff symptom was first documented in February 2026 and continued until engine failure in May 2026.
2015 Hyundai Elantra brakes problems
55 complaints (21% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 58,000. 7 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 55
- of this car's complaints
- 21%
- typical mileage
- 58,000
- crashes
- 7
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Hyundai Elantra brakes problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2015 Hyundai Elantra brakes
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 23V651000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
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.
AQ23002
What 2015 Hyundai Elantra owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Abs and traction control lights on as well as e brake light this is all after I had recall work that was supposed to fix this problem but only made it worse I am dealing with Hyundai but I don’t see a solution for this problem my car is inoperable and very unsafe it is my main source of transportation to and from my place of work and without this vehicle I am at a great loss I have lost brakes completely at times and am mentally and physically unable to drive this car it’s that bad financially strapped from sinking money into this problem only to find there’s a recall but the recall work didn’t fix the problem and Hyundai knows it won’t fix the problem
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the engine had misfired; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The contact stated that the sound was like an airplane propeller spinning. The contact stated that the following day, while driving out of the driveway, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact used the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed ABS module. The contact was informed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) prior to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 174,000.
I received a notice in the mail of the recall from Hyuandai. I set an appt with Dick Smith Hyandai in Greenville, SC and when I arrived they said they could not do any recall work at the moment due to issues with their computer system and that I should call them again in a few weeks.
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that on two occasions while driving at 45 MPH, she observed a burning odor in the cabin of the vehicle. The contact's wife pulled into a parking lot and inspected the vehicle. The contact's wife observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer for 8 months before being repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,700.
I was driving down the interstate using cruise control. When I applied the brakes, they didn’t work. The RPM’s went up to 4 or 5. I tried several times and the brakes didn’t work until I hit the cancel button on the cruise control. They said it was the brake switch when I had it repaired.
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Questions about the 2015 Hyundai Elantra brakes
Does the 2015 Hyundai Elantra have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 55 complaints about the brakes of the 2015 Hyundai Elantra, 21% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2015 Hyundai Elantra brakes problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 58,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2015 Hyundai Elantra brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 23V651000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Hyundai Elantra have bad brakes?
The Hyundai Elantra model years with the most brakes complaints are 2013 (285 complaints), 2012 (99 complaints) and 2014 (87 complaints).
Other 2015 Hyundai Elantra problems
Engine 95Steering 26Airbags 23Electrical 23Transmission 18Acceleration 15Body 14Fuel system 10Suspension 9Wheels 7Lights 5Seat belts 3Tires 3Driver assistance 2Seats 1
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