2015 Hyundai Sonata: won't start

Filed Mar 4, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · CT · fire

I was driving on the highway and the engine shut off but everything else remained on. I drifted to the breakdown lane and turned the car off. It would not start again and the car began acting up by turning lights on and off, telling me to check the tire pressure, and not unlocking the doors. I then saw some very light smoke from the engine compartment. I popped the hood and looked and saw a glow on the bottom side of the engine area. Then the car just went up in flames.

Filed Feb 14, 2026 · Engine · CO

While driving on the freeway, my vehicle experienced a sudden and catastrophic engine failure. The check engine light began flashing, the vehicle lost power, and I almost lost control of the car. I barely had time to pull over to the shoulder to avoid an accident. The vehicle was towed to a Hyundai dealership. The engine does not start and the engine block is cracked. Hyundai denied coverage stating that a software update (Campaign 953) was not installed. Campaign 953 is only a detection update and does not repair or prevent internal engine failure. This is a serious safety issue.

Filed Apr 28, 2025 · Engine · SC

I was driving down the road the engine started making a loud knocking noise and as I pulled over it lost power and shut down it would not crank back up I had to have it towed to my house. There was no warning sign.

Filed Jul 13, 2023 · Engine · CA

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact had the battery replaced, but the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that ECM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed May 23, 2023 · AZ

Driving on a busy street the car suddenly started to show a Hibrid system warning safety stop and do not drive and then the car slowed down on traffic scary situation since it was a busy road then another car pulled up and two guys help get it out of the road since the car would not start again. Our safety was at risk on the middle of the road and could possibly caused an accident. The problem still persist I towed it to the dealer and paid for a diagnostic wich the dealer took a month to return the car back to me and they did two recalls but never performed a diagnostic on the car and instead they just called the tech line and gave me a $6000.00 estimate for a hi voltage battery replacement.

Filed May 19, 2023 · Engine · NC

since around 6/2022 been having oil issues but really didn't start getting bad till 12/2022 while driving car has rattling noise with acceleration and almost stalls due to oil light kept popping on and off come to find out I was almost out of oil. which lately i have been having to constantly check my oil due too high oil usage and keep a jug in my trunk every where I go so I don't stall on side of the road and not to mention that oil light really doesn't give warning of oil being low either. So my co worker had me check to see how fast it burns oil. we put oil in the car on a friday and by the next friday its low again and now it may 2023 and burning oil at a higher rate of me checking twice a week now. i check my car on a sunday an put oil in and it was out by thursday. this is really a hazard and very dangerous while driving because you don't know when the oil is low or out and light does't give warning and you can completely stall in traffic if you don't keep check and cause a accident and i have children and myself and family and others to watch out for. I hope this matter is taken care of quickly before someone gets hurt a recall to fix this matter is urgent

Filed May 11, 2023 · CA

While driving on the 91 freeway in the Fasttrack lanes, this warning displayed on the dashboard: "Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do Not Drive." The Fasttrack lanes are on 91 freeway are cordoned off, so there is no way to get out for 10 miles. We had to continue driving, but the car started losing power after 2-3 miles and began stalling. It was an extremely dangerous situation. We were very fortunate to find a construction zone that allowed us to pull the car into a safe spot. Once the car was stopped, it would not start and had to be towed to the dealer (Cardinal Way Hyundai in Corona, CA) on May 8. The dealer ran diagnostics and sent the codes to Hyundai tech center. The tech center advised the dealer to update the system software. After updating the software the dealer returned the car to me on May 9. Previously, on Aug 17, 2020, I had the same warning light “Hybrid System Warning!...” while driving on the highway. I was able to take an exit and park the car safely. I had to get it towed to the same dealer. The dealer reported that the diagnostic “measured resistance at safety plug. Found open circuit. Replaced safety plug.” The car was fixed and returned to me on the same day. It is completely unacceptable to have a car shut down without any warning in the middle of the freeway. If we had stopped in the middle of the freeway, it would have resulted in a very bad accident and could have resulted in loss of life. The tow truck driver told us that he has towed many Hyundai or Kia hybrid cars with similar issues. This problem seems to be a systematic and Hyundai should be subject to recall these cars to fix this dangerous problem. Hyundai needs to make sure that the car owner is provided sufficient warning of any impending problems with the hybrid system. Furthermore, the onboard communication system in the Sonata hybrid is outdated and does not work, so no diagnostic reports are generated. Hyundai needs to provide free replacement of the comm system.

Filed Oct 25, 2022 · OH

My battery,oil and check engine light came on. The car would not start, took it to the dealer they had my car 3 weeks and they said they couldn’t pull any codes because it started up. However, they did charge the battery. I drove the car a few day and the same thing Happened where the same codes came on and car wouldn’t start. I had to find a ride to work and when I got home and started the car it started right up. I have also read plenty of reviews claiming this same things has happened to them.

Filed Aug 18, 2022 · Body, Electrical · AR

When auto lights are engaged and the blinkers are engaged, the light will turn off and it will blink in the wrong direction for a few times and then blink the correct direction. While in auto lights and you turn a curve they will sometimes go off. Now I have an issue with my AC - it goes on and off randomly. Had it looked at and they cannot find an issue with the components but said it could be an electrical issue. BYW, Hyundai replaced the motor in this car as well because it had so many issues. I was told the issues now could be caused from them replacing the motor and causing an electrical issue. The paint is also peeling and they had a recall on the paint, but the paint on my car didn't start peeling until after their warranty had expired. This is a known issue with 2015 models - they know the paint is bad but won't fix it. Car manufacturers should be held accountable for what they put on the market, or at least fix what are known issues for multiple vehicles.

Filed Jul 24, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · NC

Vehicle suddenly lost power while in operation. Vehicle was in motion approaching an intersection. When left turn indicator was activated, all lights on the instrument panel illuminated, the engine shut off, and power steering was lost all while the Vehicle was in motion approaching a intersection with stop sign. Vehicle was able to stop before entering the intersection, but would not start again and we were stranded in the middle of the road. Electrical systems appeared to be working. Battery and alternator are functioning normally. After Vehicle sat for 20min, it then was able to start and moved out of the road to a safe location. Vehicle was towed to mechanic that confirmed Battery health and alternator functioning. Vehicle was then taken to dealership for recall 210 safety repair. Dealership service unable to determine cause for loss of power while Vehicle in operation. No explanation, offer of additional service, or remedy has been offered despite requests. I do not feel it is safe to operate this vehicle in the absence of information related to the sudden loss of power during normal operation. Had this occurred in another setting with more traffic or less room for safely coasting to a stop, serious injury or worse could have resulted. The vehicle is still eligible for the 10yr 100k mile powertrain warranty and I am the original owner. We do not feel we can safely operate this vehicle and need guidance on how to proceed with pursuing a remedy to the situation from the vehicle manufacturer.

Filed Jun 5, 2022 · Engine · NJ

I had closed from work one morning and was headed home. Just a few seconds after taking off, my engine completely shut down. Thank goodness I wasn't in on a highway or at a heavy traffic area. I managed to park my car by the road side & tried to restart my engine, but the car wouldn't start. I towed the car to the nearest mechanic, only to hear that my engine is done & needs replacement. I've constantly kept up with frequent oil changes & always used synthetic oil. Current odometer reading is 153k & I believe the car still has the potential to stay on the road a longer time if the engine is taken care of. I've reported the issue to my nearest Hyundai dealership & they've asked me to tow it to them, but they can't promise that they'll take care of the problem. Worst of all, that's the only car I have & I'm still making payment on the car.

Filed Apr 23, 2022 · Engine · WI

Was pulling out of a parking lot and the engine stalled. Would not crank over again. Mechanic took the timing cover off to inspect and found timing chains are all in working order. Will all engine belt driven accessories disconnect and timing cover off. Engine cannot be rotated with a breaker bar. Technician says the bearings are seized.