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2003 Hyundai Sonata Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 199 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Hyundai Sonata, most often about the air bags (22% of complaints, typically around 65,500 miles). It is 18th of 27 Sonata model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2003 Hyundai Sonata problems
Air bags
43 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 65,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
I have a 2003 Sonata gls. The airbag light has been on and steady for about a year, now with the new state inspections in massachusetts my car will not pass and I am an outside sales rep using my own car. I asked Hyundai about the problem and if there has been complaints or a recall and she said no. I am very…
Two days after my grandmother purchased a 2003 Hyundai Sonata, she was involved in a minor accident. The car was traveling at 45 MPH when it rear ended another vehicle. The airbag never deployed and as a result, she broke her breast bone and as of today, is still hospitalized from the accident.
Body and structure
38 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 93,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Vehicle had been recalled in 2009 (pe08071) due to defective chrome on door handles. This vehicle had been taken to dealership, chrome was repaired as it had caused a small laceration. Chrome is again defective, caused laceration on hand again today when attempted to open door. This occurred on the passenger side door…
The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the four interior door chrome handles exhibited extremely sharp edges. The contact suffered from a two inch laceration to both fingers on the left hand. The front driver and passenger upper door handles caused the injuries. The contact applied tape to the…
Electrical
19 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery.
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…
Two weeks ago I drove down the street to the store, was in there for about 15 min and when I came out the car would not start. I have learned and now own my own jumper cables. I asked someone to jump it for me. Then I drove to the light and while waiting for the light to turn green the stereo went off, then the clock…
Fuel system
18 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 138,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage.
One day, while fueling my 2003 Hyundai Sonata, the pump clicked off after 1 gallon. From then on, it wouldn't let me fill more than 1 or 2 gallons without clicking off. Since that day, this problem occurs every time I refill and every time my tank is near empty or half empty, so I know that's not the issue.
I was informed this model has a safety valve in the gas filler neck that will prevent the gas from leaking out should the vehicle overturn. My valve must be stuck in the partially open position since I can only fill the gas tank every one-third of a gallon before the gas dispenser shuts off. Then I have to wait 10…
Engine
17 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 46,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, when the vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The contact pushed the vehicle to the side of the roadway. The contact had the vehicle towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that crankshaft position sensor and the…
This car presents with a loud clicking sound which is very distressing.once it begins it lasts for several minutes sounding for long periods and at times short bursts. I have taken it to the dealer twice and the problem has been neither identified or rectified. Until last night I have been alone in the car when this…
Brakes
15 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 31,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, power assist, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
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…
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…
Suspension
15 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 150,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear.
You can not fill gas tank pass half with out the smell filling the car .the back suspension when you go over 40 tales from side to side .the car was on the highway .
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…
Wheels and tires
15 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 30,500 miles. Parts named most often: hub, valve, temporary/emergency spare tire, rim.
On 03/26/05, I purchased bf goodrich touring t/a pro series (size p205/65r15) for my 2003 Sonata at sam's club. In a month and a half, I had 4 flat tires and 10 valves replaced because the hub caps spin and slice the valves. I lost 7.5 hours of work and received a back injury while trying to change one of the tires.…
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.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Hyundai Sonata recalls
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: A sharp edge could lacerate or otherwise injure a vehicle occupant.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: This may inflict laceration injuries to anyone using the door handle.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 ce
Full defect summary
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 lo
Fuel system: storage
Risk: Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 system: tank assembly
Risk: Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Wheels and tires: temporary/emergency spare tire
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 hyu
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Interior door handle laceration hazard
Summary
The manufacturer has issued a safety recall notification as a result of this investigation.the recall affects 91,202 my 2002-2003 subject vehicles produced from january 28, 2002, through march 22, 2003.the vehicle recall population was defined by the manufacturer's use of a new supplier for the chrome plating process beginning in january 2002, and a production change in march 2003 to improve adhesion of the plating to the door handle.vehicles being recalled represent 59 percent of the total my 2002-2003 production, but account for 91 percent of the consumer complaints received.the process change for my 2002 vehicles resulted in a dramatic increase in complaints (1200 percent on a per unit ra
Front sub-frame corrosion
Summary
In a letter dated april 14, 2009, hyundai-kia america technical center, inc (hyundai) notified NHTSA that hyundaiis conducting a safety recall of model year (my) 1999 through 2004 hyundai sonata vehicles manufactured prior to november 20, 2003 that are registered and operated in the following salt belt states and the district of columbia: connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin.hyundai is recalling the vehicles to remedy a condition where internal corrosion of the front subframe may lead to separation of the lower
Tire valve stem failures
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe), pe05-059, based on nine consumer complaints of tire valve stem failures.the alleged valve stem failures occurred only after tire replacement from the original equipment (oe) tire (michelin 205/65r15 energy mxv4 plus) to a non-oe? Aftermarket tire.ninety-eight percent of the aftermarket tires alleged to be associated with the tire valve stem failures were determined to be aftermarket tires produced by brands of michelin group (bf goodrich and uniroyal).michelin issued a technical bulletin on september 15, 2005 making retailers aware of a potential wheel cover incompatibility with bf goodrich traction t/aand tourin
Questions about the 2003 Hyundai Sonata
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Hyundai Sonata?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (43 complaints, typically around 65,500 miles); body and structure (38 complaints, typically around 93,500 miles); electrical (19 complaints, typically around 45,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Hyundai Sonata have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 7, 2009 (doors and locks). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Hyundai Sonata?
- It is 18th of 27 Sonata model years by number of complaints, with 199 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.