2003 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 199 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 18th highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 17 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 45 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchAug 7, 2009
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 82 MODEL YEAR 2002-2003 SONATA VEHICLES. REPEATED USE OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE MAY CAUSE WEAR OF THE CHROME PLATING. IF THE TOP EDGE OF THE HANDLE HAS VERY THIN CHROME PLATING THAT PORTION OF THE PLATING MAY WEAR AWAY MORE EASILY THAN MORE THICKLY PLATED AREAS AS THE DOOR HANDLE IS USED. THE WORN CHROME PLATING ON THE UPPER EDGE OF THE HANDLE MAY RESULT IN A CRACK OR SEPARATION BETWEEN THE CHROME PLATING ON THE INBOARD AND OUTBOARD SURFACES OF THE HANDLE, WHICH MAY FORM A SHARP EDGE.
A SHARP EDGE COULD LACERATE OR OTHERWISE INJURE A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE CHROME PLATED INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-787-999-3333.
Campaign 09V317000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchMay 21, 2009
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 91,350 MY 2002-2003 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES. REPEATED USE OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE MAY CAUSE WEAR OF THE CHROME PLATE. IF THE TOP EDGE OF THE HANDLE HAS VERY THIN CHROME PLATING, THAT PORTION OF THE PLATING MAY WEAR AWAY MORE EASILY THAN MORE THICKLY PLATED AREAS AS THE DOOR HANDLE IS USED. THE WORN CHROME PLATING ON THE UPPER EDGE OF THE HANDLE MAY RESULT IN A CRACK OR SEPARATION BETWEEN THE CHROME PLATING ON THE INBOARD AND OUTBOARD SURFACES OF THE HANDLE, WHICH MAY FORM A SHARP EDGE.
THIS MAY INFLICT LACERATION INJURIES TO ANYONE USING THE DOOR HANDLE.
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE CHROME PLATED INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 09V171000 on NHTSA.gov
SuspensionApr 16, 2009
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 188,282 MY 2001-2004 SONATA AND MY 2001-2004 XG300 AND XG350 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE JURISDICTIONS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME ON THE VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT IN THINNING OR PERFORATION OF THE SUB-FRAME STEEL. THE CORROSION IS FREQUENTLY VISIBLE AND OFTEN DISCOVERED DURING INSPECTION OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND OWNERS MAY ALSO HEAR NOISES OR NOTICE TIRE MISALIGNMENT AND STEERING PULL. IF THESE SIGNALS ARE UNDETECTED OR UNHEEDED, THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS AND THE FORWARD MOUNTING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY DETACH FROM THE SUB-FRAME.
IF THAT HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE MAY LOSE DRIVE POWER TO THE WHEELS, AND THE FRONT WHEEL MAY MAKE CONTACT WITH THE FENDER OR WHEEL WELL, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL MEASURE THE THICKNESS OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME AND INSPECT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME FOR CORROSION DAMAGE AND, IF NECESSARY, THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW SUB-FRAME THAT INCORPORATES ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME DOES NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE SUB-FRAME AND WILL TREAT THE SUB-FRAME WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIAL TO STOP THE CORROSION PROCESS. THIS PROCEDURE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 09V124000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storageJul 26, 2004
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY" A VALVE ON THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE ROLLS OVER AND THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.
FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.
Campaign 04V369000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assemblyApr 9, 2004
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.
FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 04V178000 on NHTSA.gov
Tires, temporary/emergency spare tireMar 17, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS), IF THE T125/70D-15 COMPACT SPARE TIRE IS INSTALLED ON A FRONT WHEEL POSITION, THE TCS MAY INADVERTENTLY ACTIVATE BEGINNING AT SPEEDS OF 20 MPH.
INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE TCS WILL CAUSE AUTOMATIC APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE AT THE WHEEL WHERE THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE IS INSTALLED. INADVERTENT BRAKE APPLICATION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING AND DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE, AND MAY PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM BEING DRIVEN AT SPEEDS ABOVE 20 MPH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPARE TIRE WITH A NEW LARGER DIAMETER T125/80R-15 COMPACT SPARE TIRE AND A NEW TIRE PRESSURE LABEL WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION APPLICABLE TO THE T125/80R-15 COMPACT SPARE TIRE. VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2002 THROUGH DECEMBER 16 2002, ALREADY CONTAIN T125/80R-15 COMPACT SPARE TIRES, WILL ONLY REQUIRE NEW TIRE PRESSURE LABELS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 30, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 03V097000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: service brakes
15 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Oct 27, 2017, crash
THE BRAKE PEDAL DROPS DURING BRAKING WITH A CLUNK. THE BRAKES ARE WEAK AT THAT POINT BUT RECOVER. I REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AND MASTER CYLINDER, STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS A LOT. MY WIFE WON'T DRIVE THE CAR ANYMORE.
Electrical system, Equipment, Service brakes, Aug 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FAILED AND THE BRAKE SENSORS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,967.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Aug 29, 2014
MY NEIGHBORS INFORMED ME THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE STUCK ON. ONE OF THEM RESEARCHED AND READ THAT IT MAY BE THE M48 STOP LAMP SWITCH. WE FOUND THE PLASTIC BACKING PORTION FROM THE CONTACT PLATE THAT PUSHES THE SWITCH IN. IT WAS BROKEN IN PIECES AND LAYING ON THE FLOOR MAT BELOW THE BRAKE PEDAL. HE REPLACED IT WITH SOMETHING THAT IS TEMPORARILY DOING THE JOB. I WILL BE TAKING MY CAR INTO THE HYUNDAI DEALER NEXT WEEK TO HAVE THIS FIXED. THEY WILL ALSO BE REPLACING MY GAS TANK THAT GOT PUNCTURED WHILE THEY WERE REPLACING THE VALVE-CANISTER CL, CANISTER ASSY., AND VALVE-PURGE CONTR. BACK IN FEB. 2014 WHEN I COULD NOT EASILY GET FUEL INTO THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THE FUEL ISSUE SHOULD BE A RECALL AS WELL FROM ALL OF THE PEOPLE I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET SEARCHING FOR RESOLUTIONS TO THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR HYUNDAI'S. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Service brakes, Apr 15, 2014
METAL BRAKE LINES TO REAR BRAKES RUSTED OUT CAUSING BRAKES TO FAIL. *TT
Service brakes, Dec 22, 2013
OVER THE PAST YEAR, WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, IN VARIOUS WEATHER CONDITIONS MY BRAKE PEDAL VERY SPORADICALLY WILL NOT DEPRESS. THE PEDAL IS SOLID AND WILL NOT MOVE/RESPOND FOR BETWEEN 1 AND RECENTLY UP TO ABOUT 6 SECONDS, WHICH IS A LIFETIME WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO STOP A CAR AT 55 MPH. TWO AUTO SHOPS HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR AND CAN NOT RECREATE OR DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. BASED ON MY OWN RESEARCH, I FINALLY RESIGNED TO HAVE THE MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED. HOWEVER, WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS REPLACING THE MC HE NOTICED THAT THE VACUUM HOSE HAD A METAL CLAMP NEAR THE MC END AND THE CLAMP HAD SHIFTED DOWN THE HOSE. INSIDE THE HOSE, WHERE THE CLAMP HAD BEEN, THERE APPEARED TO BE A SPRING LOADED VALVE, POSSIBLY AN INTERNAL CHECK VALVE, WHICH WAS NOW "LOOSE" IN THE HOSE. IT SEEMS THAT IF THE CLAMP IS IN FACT KEEPING THE VALVE IN PLACE AND IT SLOWLY DRIFTS OVERTIME THIS PROBLEM IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD ONLY APPEAR WITH OLDER CARS. ALSO, I'VE SEEN REPORTS ON INTERNET FORUMS WHERE OTHERS HAVE DESCRIBED THE SAME BRAKE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THERE IS NO RECALL LISTED FOR THIS ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY INCIDENTS NEED TO BE REPORTED BEFORE ACTION IS TAKEN, BUT AS THIS IS A LIFE-THREATENING PROBLEM I WOULD HOPE YOU TREAT IT WITH URGENCY AND INVESTIGATE IT FULLY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Structure, May 11, 2007
HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. HAD BOTH FRONT BRAKES REPLACED COSTING ABOUT $200. THEY STILL SQUEAK WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL , AND SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING. ALSO, PANT HAS COMPLETELY COME OFF THE DOOR HANDLES, AND THERE WAS RUST ON DIFFERENT SPOTS OF THE CAR HOOD. I HAD THE DOOR HANDLES REPLACED INSIDE THE CAR BECAUSE THE SILVER WAS PEELING, CAUSING US TO CUT OUR HANDS, BUT THAT DIDN'T COST ME ANYTHING. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 2, 2006
2003 HYUNDAI SONATA, RIGHT REAR DISC BRAKE BROKE AT 24,000 MILES - WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WE WERE TOLD THAT BECAUSE WE DID NOT HAVE THE CAR SERVICED AT THE DEALER THAT THE WARRANTY WAS VOID - VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED EVERY 5000 MILES PLUS A YEARLY NY STATE INSPECTION PERFORMED - THE DEALER ADVISED THAT BECAUSE THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUE TO HAVE THE BRAKE 'SLIDERS' GREASED EVERY 15,000 MILES THAT THE WARRANTY WAS VOID - OUR SERVICE MANUAL FOR OUR VEHICLE DOES NOT STATE THAT THIS IS NEEDED - THE ON LINE SERVICE INFORMATION DIRECT FROM HYUNDAI DOES NOT INDICATE THAT THIS IS NEEDED NOR IS IT EVER RECOMMENDED TO HAVE THAT SERVICE DONE - THE DEALER SAID THAT WE WERE TO BLAME BECAUSE WE FAILED TO HAVE THE BRAKE 'SLIDERS' GREASED EVEN THOUGHT IT IS NOT MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED ANYWHERE THAT ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC CAN VIEW. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 14, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT'S WIFE OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. SHE HEARD NOISES, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS NOISES COMING FROM THE ROADWAY. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE PROBLEMS WAS AT 13,873 MILE. , THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE GLAZED AND HAD HOT SPOTS ON THEM. THE SERVICE DEALER TURNED THE ROTORS WITHOUT THE CONTACT'S KNOWLEDGE. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. AT 28,000 MILES, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE, SUCH AS AN AIRPLANE GOING OVER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THEY STATED THAT IT WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $25.00 PER WHEEL TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO HAD LUBRICATED THE FRONT BRAKE SLIDES AND REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE PADS. THIS DID SEEM TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT WAS GOING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE THE 30,000 MILE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE WAS NO LONGER A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY HAVE AGREED TO REIMBURSE THE CONTACT FOR THE REPAIRS.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Air bags, Seat belts, Vehicle speed control, Jun 9, 2005, crash
THE CONSUMER'S HYUNDAI SONATA DEVELOPED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: THE PAINT WAS PEELING, THE SUN ROOF WAS BROKEN, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE, THE BRAKES FAILED, THE SEATBELT BROKE, THE ENGINE BLEW UP AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *MR THE ENGINE SURGED. AS A RESULT OF THE ENGINE BLOWING, THE RIGHT SIDE DISINTEGRATED. *SC *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 31, 2004
I PURCHASED A 2003 DEMO HYUNDAI SONATA IN SEPTEMBER OF 2003. APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTHS AFTER TAKING DELIVERY I EXPERIENCED A HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION AND A FEELING AS IF THE CAR WAS GOING TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED BY THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS INTO OWNERSHIP I EXPERIENCED A LOAD NOISE WHEN TURNING AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND MY RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS SHOT. THEY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM BUT THERE IS STILL A CLICKING NOISE WHEN I TURN THE CAR. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 8 MONTHS AND I AM NOW EXPERIENCING A STRONG VIBRATION UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES. I TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALERSHIP AND HAD THE BRAKES INSPECTED. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED NEW PADS AND ROTORS ALL THE WAY AROUND. I SAID THE CAR IS FAIRLY NEW AND I SHOULD NOT BE NEEDING NEW BRAKES ALL THE WAY AROUND JUST YET. I HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKES ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER VIEWING CARSTATS WEB SITE I BECAME AWARE THAT OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES AS WELL AS WITH THE HESITATION AND THE FEELING AS IF THE CAR IS ABOUT TO STAHL. THE PROBLEMS THAT I AM HAVING ARE MULITFACETED, WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE AS A CONSUMER?*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 20, 2004
AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN CONSUMER PUT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS OCCURRED AT LEAST FOUR TIMES. THE FIRST TIME WHEN THIS HAPPENED VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 200 MILES ON IT. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS LOST OF VACUUM TO THE POWER BOOSTER. THE CAUSE WAS A BLOCKAGE IN THE VACUUM HOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM.*AK *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 6, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SPEED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 9, 2003
BRAKE ROTORS VIBRATED VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING . *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 4, 2003
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE BOUNCES AND SHAKES. DEALER STATES ROTORS ARE WARPED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 5, 2003
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A HEAVY VIBRATION, THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE 3 TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *JB