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
199 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Sep 12, 2007
I BOUGHT MY HYUNDAI USED BECAUSE OF ALL THE GREAT RATINGS IT GOT. IT HAD ABOUT 30,000 MILES ON IT. NOT OLD AT ALL FOR ME. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK MY CAR TO DEALER IT WAS BECAUSE OF BACK WINDOW BRAKE LIGHT STAYING ON, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING. THEY KEPT MY CAR FOR TWO DAYS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS FIXED BUT ON MY WAY HOME THE CRUISE CONTROL STILL DID NOT WORK. TWO DAYS AFTER I PICKED UP MY CAR, THE CRUISE CONTROL MYSTERIOUSLY STARTED WORKING AGAIN. THEN A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND MY CAR STARTED TO ACT UP AND WAS HESITATING WHILE DRIVING. I HAD IT TOWED TO HYUNDAI AND IT WAS KEPT FOR TWO DAYS AGAIN. I ALSO LET THE DEALER KNOW AT THAT TIME THAT THE CAR HAD ISSUES AND WAS ACTING UP, TOLD HIM ABOUT THE LIGHT ISSUE AGAIN AND THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKED ON AND OFF. THE DEALER SAID HE CHANGED THE SWITCH OUT, TUNED UP THE CAR, HAD THE INSIDE GAS FILTER CHANGED BECAUSE I ASKED FOR IT, AND WANTED TO SELL ME A $600 BELT. I ASKED HIM IF THE BELT WAS BROKEN HE TOLD HE THAT MANUFACTURE SUGGESTS CHANGING IT OUT AT 60000 MILES. I TOLD HIM THAT THE CAR DID NOT HAVE THAT MANY MILES YET AND AGAIN ASKED IF THE BELT WAS BAD. HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT BUT AGAIN SAID THAT THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTS IT BE CHANGED. WELL I PERSONALLY DON'T SEE PAYING $600 FOR A BELT THAT WAS NOT BROKEN. IF ITS NOT BROKEN IT SHOULDN'T NEED TO BE FIXED.
Electrical system, Sep 11, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT'S WIFE OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE BATTERY EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR HOOD DAMAGE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 31, 2007
WHILE DRIVING, UNDER MANY DIFFERENT CONDITIONS, MY HYUNDAI SONATA STALLS. IT HAS HAPPENED OVER A DOZEN TIMES. AFTER PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I LET THE CAR SIT FOR A WHILE AND IT STARTS RIGHT BACK UP AGAIN. OCCASIONALLY I HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED. IT DOES NOT SEEM TO OCCUR WHILE THE CAR HAS CRUISE CONTROL ON, EVEN WITHOUT IT BEING ENGAGED, JUST POWERED ON. *TR
Air bags, Aug 14, 2007
I PURCHASED MY 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA IN APRIL 2004. SINCE THEN I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MY AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED OFF A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT CONNECTORS PINS WERE NOT MAKING GOOD CONTACT, HE RE-POSITIONED IT AND STATED IT SHOULD BE FINE. IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED SOON. *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
Air bags, Feb 27, 2007
MY AIR BAG LIGHTS CONTINUE TO COME ON. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE 2004. POOR CONTACT UNDER SEAT WAS THE FIRST EVENT. *NM
Electrical system, Feb 7, 2007
PURCHASED 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA BRAND NEW. DEFECTIVE RADIO REPLACED 1 MONTH AFTER PURCHASE. BATTERY DEAD AFTER 2 YEARS AND 8,500 MILES. NO REASON. BATTERY REPLACED BY MYSELF. BATTERY DEAD AGAIN IN AUGUST OF 2006. REPLACED AGAIN. BATTERY DEAD AGAIN ON DECEMBER 30TH 2006. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP STATED THE BATTERY WAS BAD. REPLACED AGAIN AT MY EXPENSE. I SAID THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRAINING 3 BATTERIES WITH LESS THAN 10,00 MILES. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE RADIO!?! AND THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE RADIO AT MY EXPENSE BECAUSE THE RADIO RAN OUT OF WARRANTY 5 MONTHS PRIOR! I BELIEVED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING ELECTRICAL WRONG WITH THE CAR AND I DO NOT THINK I CAN TRUST THE VEHICLE NOW.*JB
Wheels, Dec 3, 2006
1.) DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 2.) VALVE STEM CUT, LEADING TO DEFLATION OF TIRE. HAS NEARLY CAUSED ME TO HAVE A WRECK ON THE INTERSTATE. 3.) I HAD TO HAVE UPWARD TO 12 TIRES FIXED OR REPLACED ON THE FRONT END OF MY CAR DURING 1 YEAR. ABOUT A YEAR AGO THE TIRE COMPANY TOLD ME TO TAKE OFF MY HUB CAPS (ORIGINAL TO THE CAR) TO SEE IF IT HELPED. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD NO MORE FLATS. *NM
Electrical system, Nov 13, 2006
RADIO DISPLAY GOES OUT FREQUENTLY. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO READ RADIO STATION FREQUENCY. HAVE TO CONSTANTLY TAP ON THE RADIO NEAR THE DISPLAY TO GET IT TO FUNCTION FOR A SHORT TIME. NOTIFIED THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIO WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED THE WEEK BEFORE. SERVICE TECH SAYS HIS SONATA DID THE SAME THING. *JB
Power train, Oct 26, 2006
CAR SEEMS TO LOSE POWER AND THEN JERKS BACK ON. ONLY LASTS ABOUT 1 SECOND. I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED WITH AROUND 13000 MILES. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 10 TIMES DURING THE 8 MONTHS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. DEALER SAYS WITHOUT A TROUBLE LIGHT/ERROR CODE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *NM
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
Latches/locks/linkages, Other or unspecified, Sep 7, 2006
2003 HYUNDAI SONATA 4 DOOR SEDAN. CHROME IS PEELING FROM METAL INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES AT RANDOM SUCH THAT PASSENGER OR DRIVER WILL GRASP HANDLE TO OPEN DOOR AND SEVERAL LACERATIONS TO HANDS AND FINGERS WILL RESULT. LACERATIONS ARE DEEP ENOUGH TO RELEASE BLOOD. I WAS A DRIVER AND PASSENGER ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS IN SAME VEHICLE AND CUT RIGHT AND LEFT HANDS ON BOTH INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES. UPON FIRST ENCOUNTERING PEELING CHROME ON DRIVERS SIDE HANDLE, THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AT 3675 SHERIDAN DRIVE AMHERST, NEW YORK (716) 835-8500. SAID DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE HANDLE BUT DID NOT REPLACE ANY OTHERS. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHEN OPENING THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ON AUGUST 13, 2006, I CUT MY RIGHT HAND IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS RESULTING IN A RELEASE OF BLOOD. MY WIFE HAD ALSO CUT HER HAND ON THE DRIVER SIDE HANDLE. APPARENTLY HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE WHICH IS A SAFETY RELATED MANUFACTURING DEFECT RESULTING FROM A DEFECTIVE PLATING / CLEANING PROCESS PRIOR TO PLATING. HYUNDAI HOWEVER, HAS NOT ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL OF ALL VEHICLES FOR THIS REASON. PLATING DEFECTS SUCH AS THIS ARE PROCESS RELATED AND WILL BE PRESENT IN THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES ASSEMBLED. I AM A EXPERIENCED QUALITY ENGINEER AND DIRECTOR AND AM KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE PLATING PROCESS. MY CLAIM IS BASED UPON THE FACT THAT THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP MAINTAINS STOCK REPLACEMENT HANDLES AND OTHER CLAIMS POSTED ON WWW.EDMUNDS.COM AS FOLLOWS: CHROME ON INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES PEEL OFF AND CAUSES MAJOR CUTS ON HANDS WHEN OPENING DOOR. ... 03/10/2004, REVIEW OF A 2003 SONATA 4 CYLINDER SEDAN BY JBS... WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/USED/2003/HYUNDAI/SONATA/100188028/RATINGS_CONSUMER.HTML - 124K - CACHED - SIMILAR PAGES. *JB
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
Air bags, Jul 6, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN 45-50 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE SWITCH LINES, CUTTING OFF THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WENT INTO THE LEFT LANE AND HIT A GUARD RAIL ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD IMPACTING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN SPUN AROUND ACROSS BOTH LANES AND HIT THE GUARD RAILS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD HEAD ON. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN ALERTED. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE INJURIES SUSTAINED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. UPDATED 07/17/06. *JB
Electrical system, May 11, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. WHILE INSPECTING UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRES WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALER DETERMINED THE WIRES WERE DAMAGED BY RODENTS. THE WIRING HARNESS IS BEING REPLACED.
Air bags, Apr 6, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE AIRBAG WIRING LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE FRONT SEATS WAS DISLODGED INDICATING AN AIRBAG FAILURE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED KEEPING THE SPACE UNDERNEATH THE FRONT SEATS CLEAR OF ANY DEBRIS.
Other or unspecified, Feb 22, 2006
THE CHROME PAINT ON THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES SPLIT AND BECAME VERY SHARP. THEY CUT MY HAND ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. *JB
Wheels, Feb 16, 2006
2003 HYUNDAI SONATA HAD TO FLAT TIRES DUE TO THE WHEEL COVERS ROTATING AND CUTTING OR PIERCING THE VALVE STEMS. *TS *JB
Air bags, Feb 4, 2006, crash
IN 2005 WHILE DRIVING MY GIRL FRIENDS 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA, I WENT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN OF A MAIN STREET IN OAKLAND, CA. AND WAS HIT BY A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ OWN THE PASSENGER SIDE. NO AIR BAGS WHERE DEPLOYED AT ALL. $8.000 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE WAS DONE. HYUNDAI CORPORATION NEVER CAME OUT TO LOOK AT THE CAR, BUT RULED THAT THE SENSORS ACTED PROPERLY. THE CAR WA EQUIPPED I BELIEVE WITH FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS. *NM
Air bags, Jan 23, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, ANOTHER VEHICLE ENTERED AND STARTED SPINNING. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE TO THE FAR LANE, BUT THE OTHER VEHICLE STILL HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS, BUT THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES INCLUDING A BROKEN FINGER. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.
Tires, Wheels, Nov 29, 2005
THE WHEEL COVERS ON MY 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA ARE MOVING ON THE RIMS OF MY TIRES CAUSING THE TIRE VALVE STEMS TO FLATTEN AND EVENTUALLY WEAR THROUGH CAUSING SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE. I HAVE HAD TWO (2) SUDDEN TIRE VALVE FAILURES SINCE PURCHASING FOUR NEW UNIROYAL TIGER PAW 205/65R15 TIRES FROM B.J.'S WHOLESALE CLUB ON MAY 7. 2005. THE TIRES I BOUGHT WERE THE EXACT SIZE SPECIFIED FOR MY CAR IN THE B'J'S TIRE CATALOG AND MY OWNER'S MANUAL. THE HYUNDAI DEALER TRIED PUTTING ON NEW WHEEL COVERS BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP. LATER THEY SAID THAT THE TIRES WERE STICKING OUT TOO FAR OVER THE RIMS, CAUSING THEM TO BE IN CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL COVER, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL COVERS TO MOVE AND FLATTEN THE VALVE STEMS. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE TIRES WERE THE RIGHT SIZE BUT SAID THEY WERE SOMEHOW DIFFERENT FROM THE TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE HYUNDAI OWNER'S MANUAL WHICH SPECIFIES ANY PARTICULAR TIRE OR BRAND OF TIRE, OR WHICH STATES THAT CERTAIN TIRES CANNOT BE USED. THE ONLY SPECIFICATION IS THE SIZE, WHICH IS 205/65R15, EXACTLY WHAT I PURCHASED. THE PROBLEM IS ONGOING. AT THE DEALER'S SUGGESTION, I AM DRIVING WITHOUT THE WHEEL COVERS. EVEN IF I BUY ANOTHER SET OF TIRES, HOW DO I KNOW THEY WON'T CAUSE THE SAME PROBLEM? *NM HYUNDAI ADMITTED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE THIS PROBLEM BUT WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *SC
Tires, Nov 22, 2005
I AM EXPERIENCING THE VALVE STEM/TIRE ISSUES IN MY 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED. I HAVE HAD 2 FLAT TIRES SINCE JULY AND BOTH TIMES I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE VALVE STEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A HYUNDAI ISSUE AND THAT WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP THE HUBCAP SPINS AND EVENTUALLY "SNAPS" OFF THE VALVE STEM. I HAVE CALLED 2 DIFFERENT HYUNDAI DEALERSHIPS AND THEY BOTH DENIED THAT IT WAS A HYUNDAI ISSUE. THEY BOTH CLAIMED THAT I PROBABLY HAVE THE WRONG SIZE TIRE ON THE CAR. I FELT LIKE MY ISSUE WAS DISMISSED BOTH TIMES. THE TIRES ON THE CAR ARE THE EXACT SIZE AS REFERENCED IN MY OWNERS MANUAL. I WAS TOLD THAT REPLACING THE TIRES TO A "SPECIFIC BRAND" WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. SO YESTERDAY, I BOUGHT 2 NEW TIRES AFTER I COULD NO LONGER KEEP AIR IN THE FRONT TIRES FOR MORE THAN 6 HOURS. WHEN THEY REMOVED THE HUBCAPS, THEY SAID THAT THE TIRES DEFLATED ON THEIR OWN, THROUGH THE VALVE STEMS. I CAME ONLINE TO RESEARCH THIS ISSUE AND SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THE ISSUE AND SAW AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION THAT HAS JUST BEGUN AND THOUGHT IT BEST TO LODGE A COMPLAINT. I HAVE RECEIPTS FOR ALL OF THE REPAIRS AND NEW TIRES IF THIS IS NEEDED. *JB
Tires, Wheels, Nov 21, 2005
HUBCAPS ON 2003 SONATA SLIDE AROUND PINCHING VALVE STEMS. THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED WHEN I REPLACED TIRES FROM MICHELIN TO BF GOODRICH . TIRES ARE PROPER SIZE .THIS PROBLEM OF THE HUBCAPS SHIFTING HAPPENS DAILY AS I HAVE TO REMOVE HUBCAPS AND STRAIGHTEN. HAVE NOW REMOVED HUBCAPS PERMANENTLY FOR SAFETY REASONS. HAVE HAD ONE BLOW-OUT DUE TO STEM BEING TWISTED. NUMBER OF FAILURES BELOW ARE ESTIMATED BUT THE HUBCAPS UNTIL RECENTLY WERE OUT OF POSITION DAILY. DATE OF BLOW-OUT BELOW IS ESTIMATED SOMEONE AROUND THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST. *JB
Air bags, Seat belts, Nov 14, 2005, crash
WHILE DRIVING SOUTH ON US68, AN ONCOMING NORTHBOUND CONCRETE TRUCK TURNED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF US. WHEN WE HIT, THE PASSENGER'S SHOULDER HARNESS OF MY 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA FAILED TO "LOCK". I WAS THROWN AGAINST THE DASH AND THEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED DIRECTLY AGAINST MY CHEST. MY WIFE'S AIRBAG (SHE WAS DRIVING) DEPLOYED SLIGHTLY FASTER, BUT LATE ENOUGH THAT IT OPENED UNDER HER CHIN AND POPPED HER HEAD BACK. SHE HAS THREE DAMAGED DISKS IN HER NECK (TWO HERNIATED AND ONE BULGING). MY SHOULDER HARNESS WAS NO HELP, AND MY AIRBAG ACTUALLY INJURED ME BY FIRING LATE AND IN CONTACT WITH MY CHEST. MY WIFE'S AIRBAG, ALTHOUGH SLIGHTLY FASTER, CAUSED HER INJURY BY DEPLOYING SLOWLY. *NM