Problems · by component
2015 Hyundai Elantra GT engine problems
84 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2015 Hyundai Elantra GT cite engine, 34% of all 248 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
84
34% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
What owners say about the engine
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Vehicle routinely (3,000-5,000 miles, depending on oil used) maintained by qualified mechanics. Around 129,000 miles the engine began to knock / rattle. Mechanic was unable to determine the cause, but the rattle was only present between 0-40mph and would settle at higher speeds. Mechanic also noted the absence of sludge. Around 133,000 miles the vehicle stalled. The vehicle would start, but would stall again. Mechanic diagnosed timing chain failure and that the vehicle is burning oil. Vehicle has never indicated low oil, but it is now manually checked and burning about a quart of oil per 1,000 miles. Replaced timing chain and vehicle has continued to operate. Around 134,500 miles some power loss during low-speed acceleration and a slight engine rumble at lower speed. Mechanic diagnosed a wrist pin failure on cylinder 2. Vehicle may be inspected upon request. Vehicle stalls create some safety concerns, but have only occurred at low speeds. Vehicle timing chain was diagnosed by two different mechanics. When the vehicle was brought to a Hyundai dealership for a trunk latch recall in May of 2024 at 125,000 miles, no issues were noted. Vehicle has not been inspected…”
“Hello my vehicle developed a knock and it has become so much worse, I will not drive it. Hyundai has played games with me. My vehicle has been at Jenkins Subaru three times at Hyundai request. This third time my vehicle had to be towed to Jenkins Subaru. Now Hyundai tells me they will not repair my vehicle even though they have been aware with this lifter knock piston slap issue for quite some time now. I need help. I am [XXX] [XXX] and rely on this vehicle to get me to doctors appointments and general errands. I really don't know what to do. I am afraid to drive the vehicle because of fire issues and possibly staling out on the interstate and me getting hit by another vehicle. Please help. My vehicle now sits at Jenkins Subaru in Clarksburg wv and I have no way to bring it back to Fairmont wv. A 20 to 25 minutes trip could be deadly to to bring it home. Hyundai could have cared less that I had to had the vehicle towed to Jenkins Subaru, there reasoning is it has 104,000 miles on it. I told Hyundai they must make throw away vehicles then. Thank you [XXX] [XXX] [XXX]”
“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”
“Check engine light came on, the code says misfire on random cylinders, drives very rough. Took to mechanic and said timing chain is loose, which causes the “skipping” or misfire, and could snap at any moment (which is unsafe and could cause a wreck). Mechanic has 3 other Hyundai Elantra's with same problem. Around 2 grand fix.”
“While operating my 2015 Hyundai ELANTRA, the engine cuts out.. it just stalls out of nowhere without any signs or warnings its about to happen. As well as approximately 50% of the time the engine stalls the power steering also stops working. At this point I have to coast to the side of the road, put it in park, turn the key to the off position and then restart the car when this happens which is quite often. The worst its ever been was 8 times in a 25 minute/28 mile drive. This doesn’t only happen at fast or slow speeds. It’s completely random whether I’m going 15 mph in a school zone 25 to 40 mph through towns or 65 to 70 mph on highways. This is already extremely dangerous to happen. Going 15 to 40 mph but when you’re driving on a highway at 65 or 70 mph and the engine and power steering just stop and cut out, this is severely dangerous. I’ve been in contact with the Hyundai headquarters multiple times and they are not doing a single thing about it so my car has just been sitting for about 5 months now. Please help me hold Hyundai financially responsible for safety recall repairs. This manufacturer safety issue is unacceptable and my car has been very well…”
“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 NHTSA 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.”
Showing 6 of 84 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.