2015 Hyundai Sonata Airbag Problems

25 owners have reported air bags problems with the 2015 Hyundai Sonata to NHTSA — 2% of all 1,153 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 65,000 miles. That ranks #16 of 29 Sonata model years for airbag complaints (a typical year has 31). One related recall has been issued.

25complaints
65ktypical miles
1related recalls
7crashes
0fires
7injuries

Which parts fail

  • Sensor › Occupant classification
    1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    327%
  • 25k–50k
    218%
  • 50k–75k
    327%
  • 75k–100k
    218%
  • 100k–150k
    19%
  • 150k+
    00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Hyundai Sonata owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

This Car Was A One Car Accident, 2 People Were In The Vehicle. A On Coming Car In The Opposite Lane Was Swerving In My Lane Causing Me To Try To Get Over To The Right Of The Road Trying To Dodge The Car , We Hit Some Kind Of Post No Air Bags Deployed, I Also Have Pictures As Well As Documentation From Hyundai Fixing The Engine On The Car They Supposedly Inspected Everything And Said The Only The Wrong Was The Breaks. Well No Airbags Deployed One Person Is Hospitalized Lung Was Out Of Chest And the Other Person Suffered Injuries To The Face And Arm Which Is Also Documented We Are Currently Still In The Hospital So Any Other Documentation Can Be Sent Later On

Sep 2022 · crash · 2 injuries

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the front passenger's side seat air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and it was determined that the front passenger's seat air bag sensor was faulty. The contact was informed that the front passenger's seat sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Sensor › Occupant classification · 80,000 miles · Mar 2024

My 2015 Hyundai Sonata has issues when switching from eco-to standard to sports, it constantly shakes when approaching a red light or stop.. my vehicle is constantly stock and vandalize and stole. Need you to easy assessability by thieves. this constitute higher insurance for me and consistent problems

Oct 2022 · crash

The air bag sensor located in the front passenger seat does not function. It is available for inspection upon request. Because the sensor doesn't engage, the passenger-side air bag will not deploy in the event of an accident, leaving my passenger at risk of serious injury or death. The Hyundai of Cool Springs dealership in Franklin, TN, has inspected the car and confirmed that the sensor is not functioning. The sensor, if properly working, will show a glowing red light on the dashboard that goes on when a passenger sits in the passenger seat, and goes off after a few seconds. In the case of my car, however, the dashboard light goes on when a passenger sits and stays on (glowing red) the entire time the passenger is seated. This defective dashboard light, according to the Hyundai service technician, indicates that the sensor needs to be replaced. …

May 2024

We are the sole owners of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Over the years the dashboard has deteriorated and developed cracks along the entire length, including over the area of the passenger airbag. We are currently concerned as to what would happen in the event of an accident that would trigger the air bag causing the dashboard to explode and send splinters all over the place, possibly causing severe damage to the passenger. I took the vehicle to Lehman Hyundai and they could not give me a definitive answer as to whether this was a dangerous situation or not. They gave me an oral estimate of $3,500 just for the part, and who knows what the labor costs would be. Whether I end up donating, gifting or selling the car, I am truly concerned about the safety of this vehicle and the condition it is in.

Jan 2026

The air bag warning light illumination. Dealer replaced the "clock spring" in steering wheel. This part was recalled for all like vehicles through 2014 and warranty as extended to 100,000 miles or 14 years. Model year 2015 was not included in the recall, yet the same part failed thereby making the driver's front air bag inoperable. It should have been included in the recall. I requested reimbursement from the manufacturer in the amount of $638.50 but was told the vehicle was no longer under warranty. No vehicle should br driven without properly working air bags.

Jul 2023

Intake Camshaft, Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit and Brake Booster are the system that failed all in the same week. My safety is being put at risk because of the bad brake booster I almost rear end someone else. My car doesn't accelerate has it should initially which could cause a wreck. Problems has been confirmed by independent service center. My car has been inspected by mechanics. My engine light is on and when diagnosed the codes P0011-00 & P0010-00 pop up.

Apr 2024

My passenger occupancy mat se or is not working. It has been replaced by Hyundai several times and was a part of a recall. It was replaced in 2006 and 2007. They installed a new version of the senor mat, and the mat senor is defective again. I called Hynindia of America, and they said even though it was a recall and they fixed it as a recall fix, they said that they are no longer responsible. Is that the case?

Aug 2006

I own a 2015 Hyundai Sonata and have an issue with dash pad, the passenger side air bag has split at the airbag seam and has traveled to the drivers side. If the passenger airbag deploys, I could see some severe injury to the passenger side occupant when the airbag deploys after the cover detaches from the rest of the dash pad. The lifespan of any safety system component is 15yrs according to NHTSA

Mar 2023

Engine burns 2 quarts of oil a week. Took it in for oil consumption tests and Hyundai figures out ways to not replace these faulty GDI Engines. Also car has a strong gas smell inside car. Maybe gas leaking. Airbag warning light has been on for years. Took it to the dealer in the past they said it's ok(Hub Hyundai Katy TX) but I don't feel confident.

May 2018

Related recalls

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 16V-232 · Apr 21, 2016 · 33 vehicles

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 29, 2014 to February 11, 2016, 2017 Elantra vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016 to February 22, 2016, and one 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicle manufactured October 15, 2015.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 5,2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

NHTSA investigations

Electrical overstress

NHTSA investigation EA19001 · opened Apr 19, 2019 · closed Sep 19, 2024 · led to recall 20V-024

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.

Airbag complaints in other Sonata years

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’251538637434751434655435257137302041917010431252122497411
Airbag complaints per model year, Hyundai Sonata.

Frequently asked questions

How common are airbag problems on the 2015 Hyundai Sonata?

NHTSA has 25 complaints about the air bags of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata, 2% of the model year's 1,153 complaints. The component named most often is sensor › occupant classification (1 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2015 Hyundai Sonata airbag problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-232 (frontal, Apr 21, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2015 Hyundai Sonata airbag problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries and 2 deaths to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.