The engine light started to come on and go off and when I got the codes ran, it said something along the line of misfire. I had the spark plugs changed and I kept regular maintenance done on oil changes and tune ups. Now my engine is knocking and the vehicle is in limp mode.
2015 Hyundai Sonata acceleration problems
61 complaints (5% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 50,000. 8 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 61
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- typical mileage
- 50,000
- crashes
- 8
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Accelerator pedal2
- Cruise control1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Hyundai Sonata acceleration problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2015 Hyundai Sonata acceleration
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the federal safety agency 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 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. the federal safety agency'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 the federal safety agency'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, the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.
DP21003
What 2015 Hyundai Sonata owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My 2015 Hyundai Sonata has demonstrated multiple instances of unintended acceleration and braking failure: April 20, 2024 – While idling in a drive-thru line, the vehicle suddenly lurched forward without any attempt to accelerate and crashed into the vehicle in front of me. I was unable to stop it. This resulted in the other car being totaled. I took it to a Hyundai dealership afterward, but they found no definitive cause. April 4, 2025 – My daughter was driving and attempted to stop at a red light. Despite applying the brakes, the car did not stop and continued through the intersection, striking the door of another vehicle. May 12, 2025 – Today, while using cruise control set to 55 mph, the car began accelerating beyond the set speed without input. It appears the cruise control system is malfunctioning and not disengaging as expected. The vehicle currently shows no open recalls, but I found that similar issues were previously investigated under the federal safety agency action DP21003 for this model year. These incidents occurred months apart, but the behavior is consistent and extremely dangerous. I am requesting a formal investigation. The safety of my family and others on the road is at risk.
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the engine replacement request was denied. The failure mileage was approximately 140,829.
My transmission literally went out once on me the SECOND DAY after I financed it. Now, less than a year later, it says I need to replace the transmission again. This is ridiculous.
Engine just stopped working. car stop running turned off in the middle of traffic in Dallas Tx. I took my car for an oil change the mechanic said he’s had plenty of 2015 sonata engines just give out and some catch a fire as well.It gave no warning and no smoke. This happened last week.
I am 86 years old. I bought the car brand new so I am the original owner. I have kept the car perfectly maintained and garaged from the day I bought it. My wife is also 86. She and I are the only ones that drive the car. To date, it has 73,822 miles on it. The main issue I am having is random, unpredictable stalling and hesitation when trying to accelerate. We have also had unintended acceleration. This always happens at the worst times which causes grave concern for our safety. We have taken the care to the dealership here in Cape Girardeau, MO called Chris Auffenberg Hyundai. They've charged me $130 only to tell me nothing is wrong. I have continued to try to work with them and they now have decided a new fuel pump will fix this which is $730. I have noticed there are already hundreds of complaints on the 2015 that all say they have the same exact issues I am having but this dealership doesn't seem to care. Here is what I have read. "The most common issue in the 2015 Sonata lies with its faulty throttle control system, which can cause stalling, hesitation, and even unintended acceleration. Currently, there is no fix from Hyundai." My dealership will not acknowledge this even though it is public information. I feel like they are going to keep replacing parts and are taking advantage of me. [XXX] is the Service Manager at this dealership and I am not happy how he is handling this. Please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the sunroof detached from the roof of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The vehicle also experienced severe engine knocking and the vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. In addition, several safety features including the Lane Departure, Cruise Control, and the Forward Collision Avoidance system intermittently malfunctioned. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
The contact’s daughter owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle hesitated. The contact stated that his daughter had to depress the accelerator pedal to rev the engine. The contact then stated that on a separate occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. Additionally, the contact stated that on another separate occasion while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. The contact’s daughter was able to regain control of the vehicle and depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle remained. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
The engine and yes it is. Because my car turned off in the middle of the loop on the highway when there was a lot of traffic and we could have gotten hit. No it has not been. No it has not been. We were driving on the highway then the engine started sputtering and it wouldn’t go faster then 40 when I tried pulling off to the side that’s when the engine ,battery ,and oil light turned on and after that the car just shut off and wouldn’t want to turn back on.
can't use eco sport motor is accelerate and the car can't read the sensors a/c stop working brakes hard to press
Questions about the 2015 Hyundai Sonata acceleration
Does the 2015 Hyundai Sonata have acceleration problems?
Owners have filed 61 complaints about the acceleration of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata, 5% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2015 Hyundai Sonata acceleration problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 50,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2015 Hyundai Sonata acceleration?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Hyundai Sonata have the most acceleration problems?
The Hyundai Sonata model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2011 (95 complaints), 2013 (86 complaints) and 2012 (84 complaints).
Other 2015 Hyundai Sonata problems
Engine 651Electrical 168Transmission 135Fuel system 87Brakes 80Steering 74Body 52Lights 38Visibility 30Driver assistance 29Airbags 25Seat belts 21Suspension 17Wheels 15Seats 14Tires 4Locks 2
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