HyundaiSonata Hybrid2015Overview/hyundai/sonata-hybrid/2015/base/

2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 Sonata Hybrid.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (AM6)

The 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is a passenger car that pairs its engine with an AM6 automatic transmission to deliver an EPA-rated 35 city and 38 highway mpg for a 37 combined mpg, requiring 4.8 quarts of 5W-20, 10W-30, or 5W-30 API viscosity oil for proper maintenance. Within the model's 2011–2025 reliability history, this iteration registers 50 owner complaints and four recalls, representing a substantial drop from the 153 complaints that marked the 2012 peak. Although the engine remains the top complaint area, the 2015 model's position well below the historical maximum signifies a stabilizing platform that was steadily progressing toward the much lower complaint levels ultimately realized in 2019.

Model year20152014201320122011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy35/38/37 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI NS · NS CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI NS · NS CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnHEADOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205/65R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Spark plug1884911070
Battery37110C2800
Front wiper blades99H09AKA18H alt 99H09AKA26H

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length191.3 in
Overall width73.6 in
Overall height58.3 in
Wheelbase110.6 in
Curb weight3252 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined35 / 38 / 37 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume104 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 5W-20 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.0
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity7.5
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity7.9
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts94-101 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts123-130 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts26
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36

Chassis torques

Front Wheel Hub203-217 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159-188 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.50-0.62 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance1700-2300 ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.50-0.62 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance1700-2300 ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.50-0.62 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance1700-2300 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerHyundai

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity18.56-20.32 lbs
Oil GroupPOE
Oil Capacity3.89-4.56 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity17.77-19.19 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)70-73 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)48.3-51.2 psi
Engine Compression178 - 199 psi / Max Variation 15 psi
Engine Compression171 - 192 psi / Maximum Variation 15 psi
Engine Compressionpsi 171 - 192 / Max Variation 15 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.0008-0.0019 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0012-0.0021 in
Intake Valve Lash0.0067-0.0009 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront or rear: 16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 58-
ABS Sensor Torque6.6-7.0
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque58-72
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 47-
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9013–16 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9013–16 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9013–16 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head bolts.

124.0-27.0 ft. lbs.24–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head bolts. Apply Loctite 5900H or equivalent on the front edge of the cylinder head gasket. Both the upside and the down side. Assembly of the cylinder head must be completed within five minutes of applying the liquid gasket compound.

124.0-27.0 ft. lbs.24–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head bolts. Apply Loctite 5900H or equivalent on the front edge of the cylinder head gasket. Both the upside and the down side. Assembly of the cylinder head must be completed within five minutes of applying the liquid gasket compound.

124.0-27.0 ft. lbs.24–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse any bolts. Do not apply any oil to the cylinder head bolts. Apply a suitable liquid gasket compound to the top and bottom of the cylinder head gasket. Assemble the cylinder head within five minutes of the liquid gasket application

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
690 degrees90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9013–16 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 122.511 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 20.0-23.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 122.511 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 3,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 3,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 6,200 miAir Intake Duct (inspect) · Intercooler (inspect)
Every 7,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect)
Every 37,500 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid sits in the middle of the generation’s complaint arc: after a sharp drop from 105 complaints in 2013 to just 28 in 2014, the 2015 model rose to 50 complaints—a moderate figure compared to the 130 seen in 2016 and the peak of 153 in 2012. Recalls for 2015 total 4, matching the 2013 count and falling between the 3-recalls of 2014 and 5 of 2016, while investigations declined to 4 from earlier highs of 7. The 2015 model also has a relatively high number of technical service bulletins (115), suggesting active dealer-level fixes but no underlying crisis. Top complaint areas center on the engine and electrical system, and the data records 4 crash complaints and 2 fire complaints for the year. Overall, 2015 represents a stable, middle-ground year in the generation—better than the problematic 2012 and 2016 model years, but not as clean as the 2014 or later 2018-2019 models. For a buyer, this is a reasonable choice if you are comfortable with the known engine and electrical concerns, but it is not the most trouble-free year in the lineup.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
115
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
50
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 50 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine7
Electrical System6
Electrical System,Engine5
Service Brakes5
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other2
Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Electrical System,Air Bags,Service Brakes1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V617000Seat Belts:PretensionerReported 04/10/2017

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152. The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach… Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will again verify the connection between the seat belt linkage and the pretensioner and additionally install a warning label to prevent…

16V726000Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof AssemblyReported 11/10/2016

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles manufactured December 8, 2014, to August 18, 2015, and Hyundai Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to March 18… Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wind deflector anchor plate, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 115 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…
26-01-033H TSB2026-03-26EngineThis TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based…
26-01-033H DN2026-03-26EngineThis TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based…
TRW Settlement DCS2025-12-18Air BagsA Class Action settlement regarding the TRW Airbag was recently decided. Based on the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sonata Hybrid. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2015 Sonata Hybrid take?

4.8 qt of 5W-20 API certification, SL or SM-is preferred. Above 0 degreesF 10W-30 API certification, SL or SM, All temperatures 5W-20 or 5W-30 API certification, SL or SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 Sonata Hybrid have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Sonata Hybrid get?

EPA figures are 35 city / 38 highway / 37 combined mpg.