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: structure
38 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Structure, Jun 1, 2011, crash
MERGED INTO LEFT LANE ON HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 65MPH. CAR SPUN TO FACE OPPOSING WAY. HIT WALL ON PASSENGER SIDE, SPUN BACK AROUND AND WENT ACROSS HIGHWAY TO HIT OPPOSITE WALL. CAR HAD BEEN TOTALED AS I WALKED AWAY WITH. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 23, 2011
I HAVE A 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CHROME PLATES ON INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE OF DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE EXHIBITED A CRACK AND BEGAN TO SEPARATE. MY WIFE AND I HAVE BOTH CUT OUR FINGERS ON THE CRACKED CHROME PLATE. WHEN I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE DOOR HANDLE RECALL. HYUNDAI RECALL ONLY VEHICLE PRODUCE IN 2002- 2003 MARCH, BUT MY VEHICLE WAS PRODUCE IN 2003 APRIL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW ONE VEHICLE WITH A PROBLEM CAN BE RECALLED, AND THE OTHER IN SAME YEAR AND MODEL WITH SAME PROBLEM IS NOT INCLUDED. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 8, 2010
MY WIFE AND I HAVE BOTH CUT OUR HANDS ON THE CHROME INSIDE DOOR HANDLES OF OUR 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE DEALER , LAFONTAINE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP , IN DEARBORN,MI. I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE DOOR HANDLE RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW ONE VEHICLE WITH A PROBLEM CAN BE RECALLED, AND ANOTHER WITH OF THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL IS NOT INCLUDED. PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME. I HAVE PICTURES THAT I WILL TRY TO SEND TO THE WEB SITE, IF I CAN'T I DO HAVE THEM FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. *TR
Structure, Sep 22, 2010
RUST AND BUBBLING PAINT AROUND FUEL DOOR, INSIDE FUEL DOOR AND BOTH REAR WHEEL WELLS ON A 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH 88,483 MILES. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Tires, Oct 6, 2009
I HAVE A 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH THIS VEHICLE. I PURCHASED 2 SETS OF NEW TIRES IN THE PAST 4 YEARS AND HAVE HAD ROUGHLY 15 FLAT TIRES. I ALSO MOST RECENTLY ALMOST KILLED MYSELF AND MY 3 KIDS W/ HAVING THE TIRE ROD ALMOST CRACK. I HAD A BILL OF $385 TO HAVE JUST THAT ONE PART TO BE FIXED. I HAVE BEEN ON HOLD FOR OVER AN HOUR NOW FOR THE RECALL NUMBER I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL. I AM A SINGLE PARENT AND NEED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MY TROUBLES AS THIS WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE RECALL LETTER I JUST RECEIVED. PLEASE CONTACT ME. *TR
Structure, Mar 6, 2009
PROBLEMS DUE TO RUST. STATEMENT FROM KEY HYUNDAI SERVICE ON 12/11/06 INDICATES EXCESSIVE RUST CAUSED REAR BRAKE PADS TO STICK AND WEAR DOWN PREMATURELY. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. *TR
Structure, Mar 6, 2009
PROBLEMS DUE TO RUST. SERVICE AT COLUMBIA HYUNDAI ON 8/4/08 TO REPLACE POWER STEERING LINE AFTER POWER STEERING FAILED DUE TO LINE RUSTING OUT. *TR
Structure, Aug 18, 2008
TWO OF THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES HAVE A SILVER METALLIC FOIL THAT HAS SPLIT AND COME LOOSE. MY SON CUT HIS FINGER OPENING THE DOOR. NOW THE DRIVER DOOR INSIDE HANDLE ALSO HAS THE SILVER FOIL COMING LOOSE. WE HAVE HAD TO PUT TAPE ON IT TO PREVENT GETTING ANOTHER CUT FINGER. *TR
Structure, Aug 4, 2008
I TOOK MY 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA IN FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION AND FOUND OUT THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD TO BE REPLACED, WHICH IS NO SMALL FEAT ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS AND KNOW IT'S UNDER INVESTIGATION, BUT WANTED TO LOG MY COMPLAINT AS WELL. *TR
Structure, Jul 23, 2008
WITHIN ONE YEAR OF BUYING MY HYUNDAI 2003 SONNTA, I CUT MY FINGER ON THE SILVER COATED INSIDE DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE SILVER COATING OF THE DOOR HANDLE SOMEHOW SPLINTERED AND CUT MY FINGER LIKE A STRAIGHT RAZOR BLADE. THE CUT WAS VERY DEEP AND MY FINGER BLED PROFUSELY FOR ABOUT 10 OR 15 MINUTES. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE HANDLE WAS REPLACED. A SHORT TIME AFTER, MY HUSBAND SLICED HIS FINGER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. AGAIN THE CUT WAS VERY DEEP; IT WAS LIKE A STRAIGHT RAZOR CUT. HIS FINGER BLED PROFUSELY FOR 10 - 15 MINUTES. AGAIN THE DEALER REPLACED THE HANDLE. BACK IN NOVEMBER OF 2007, SOMEONE WAS GETTING OUT OF THE BACK SEAT, AND THEN THIS PERSON CUT HER FINGER ON THE SILVER COATED INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. THIS TIME I CONTACTED HYUNDAI HEADQUARTERS AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM..THE REP. I SPOKE TO SAID SHE DID NOT HEAR OF ANY SIMILIAR PROBLEMS. THEY CONTACTED THE CAR DEALER AND THE HANDLE WAS REPLACED. NOW A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, I CUT MY HAND ON THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE (THIS WAS A HANDLE THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED). I CONTACTED HYUNDAI AGAIN AND AM AWAITING DISPOSITION ON THIS. THERE IS SOMETHING VERY WRONG WITH THESE DOOR HANDLES. THE CUT IT CAUSES IS LIKE A STRAIGHT RAZOR CUT. IT SLICES DEEP AND IT BLEEDS VERY BADLY. I TOLD HYUNDAI THAT I AM SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO EXPERIENCE THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. IN FACT, I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THESE DOOR HANDLES. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT I THINK THE GOV. NEEDS TO GET INVOLVED WITH. THANK YOU MARIA FACCHIN THANK YOU MARIA FACCHIN *TR
Structure, Jul 14, 2007
CUT FINGERS ON SHARP CHROME LAMINATION ON DOOR HANDLES. *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
Structure, Oct 3, 2006
DRIVER DOOR ALARM KEEPS ALARMING. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER ONCE ALREADY TO BE REPAIRED. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THIS TIME TOLD ME THAT ON THIS MODEL THE DOOR NEEDS TO BE TIGHTENED/ADJUSTED. NOW 2 MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING ONLY WORSE. NOW THE DOOR LIGHT IS COMING ON AND THE LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD IS COMING ON. MAYBE THE DOOR IS DEFECTIVE AND GOING TO FALL OFF. *NM