Research · Midsize Cars

2015 Hyundai ElantraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 262 owner complaints for the 2015 Hyundai Elantra. Most complaints involve engine (92) and service brakes (29). The EPA rates it 27–31 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
27–31mpg
EPA · 7 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
262
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Park outsideFree remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Sep 22, 2023NHTSA 23V651000

Air bags: inflator module

Remedy pending

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.

Air bagsReported May 15, 2026NHTSA 26V307000

Latches

Free remedy

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."

Latches/locks/linkagesReported Feb 24, 2024NHTSA 24V146000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

262 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2014 – Sep 2026
  1. Engine92
  2. Service brakes29
  3. Steering26
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic26
  5. Electrical system23
  6. Air bags23
  7. Power train18
  8. Vehicle speed control15
  9. Structure14

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Elantra model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996101
1997118
199856
1999133
2000200
2001329
2002348
2003234
2004182
2005137
2006155
2007267
2008316
2009287
2010455
2011461
2012676
20131,330
2014387
2015262
2016293
2017770
2018284
2019252
2020254
2021132
2022102
2023101
202456
202522
20263
Crashes reported
27
Fires reported
8
Injuries reported
25
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

92 reports1 crash
“The vehicle experienced severe, sudden loss of power while driving, leaving the car unable to exceed approximately 40 MPH on public roads and highways. This restriction creates an immediate rear-end collision hazard and severely degrades acceleration under traffic conditions. Diagnostic & Technical History: The vehicle previously triggered Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P1326 (Knock Sensor / Engine Limp Mode). Diagnostic testing at Holler Hyundai under Techline Case #2026040700281 confirmed severe internal mechanical compression failure in Cylinder 4. Cylinder 4 failed dry compression testing and required a wet compression test (oil added to the cylinder) to hold pressure at 151 PSI. Severe internal engine oil pass-through/blow-by from the damaged cylinder has clogged the catalytic converter with baked oil ash, creating extreme exhaust backpressure that physically restricts vehicle speed and throttle response. Holler Hyundai recently replaced the physical knock sensor to clear the active P1326 light, but the underlying internal mechanical engine damage and clogged exhaust remain unaddressed. Corporate & Warranty Refusal: Hyundai Motor America (Executive…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2026EngineODI 11766056

Service brakes

29 reports5 crashes1 fire
“The engine failed on a 2015 Hyundai Elantra with approximately 71,000 miles. The vehicle has an open, unresolved safety recall (Recall 251, NHTSA #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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 22, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11739608

Steering

26 reports2 crashes
“I am writing to formally report a serious vehicle safety concern involving a 2015 Hyundai Elantra, VIN [XXX], which is owned by my mother. The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power steering assistance, creating an immediate and significant safety concern. This could have caused a series issue to myself and others on the road. Following the incident, I took the vehicle to a Hyundai dealership for inspection and diagnosis. The dealership advised that the vehicle’s VIN is not currently covered by a Hyundai recall for this issue. What is particularly concerning is that Hyundai has issued recalls involving power steering/electric power steering failures and related loss-of-steering-assistance concerns on various Hyundai models and model years. Given the nature of the failure and the similarities among reported power steering defects, I am concerned that this vehicle may be experiencing the same or a substantially similar safety-related defect, despite Hyundai currently stating that this particular VIN is not included in a recall. I respectfully ask NHTSA to: Review this incident and the underlying power steering failure associated with this 2015 Hyundai Elantra…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 16, 2026SteeringODI 11757270
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

7 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Elantra
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273731$2,050285
Elantra
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273630$2,150290
Elantra Limited
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273630$2,150295
Elantra
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243528$2,300314
Elantra
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243428$2,300319
Elantra Coupe
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243428$2,300318
Elantra Coupe
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233427$2,400324
  • Elantra
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    27 city · 37 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    27 city · 36 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra Limited
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    27 city · 36 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    24 city · 35 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    24 city · 34 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra Coupe
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    24 city · 34 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra Coupe
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    23 city · 34 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 9810Vehicle 9151
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2015 Elantra questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Hyundai Elantra have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2015 Hyundai Elantra problems?

Owners filed 262 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (92), service brakes (29), steering (26). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Hyundai Elantra get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Hyundai Elantra at 27–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Hyundai Elantra?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Hyundai Elantra 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026