10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,228 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Hyundai Sonata:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #8

Jul 212014

Sonata

  • 131,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, the front wheels appeared to be angled inward. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who discovered that the front passenger side of the engine cradle was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.

- Hinckley , IL, USA

problem #7

Jul 312014

Sonata 6-cyl

  • miles
Passenger side cradle rusted through. Driver side is fine. Recall # 089.

- Hinkley, IL, USA

problem #6

Feb 132013

Sonata

  • 156,000 miles
The chrome on the interior door handle of driver side exhibited a crack and separated. My wife cut her finger on the cracked chrome plating. I contacted Hyundai customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151 and was told that my vehicle was not included in the door handle recall (I.e., NHTSA campaign id number: 09V171000). I don't understand how one vehicle can be recalled while others of the same year and model are not.

- Eldersburg, MD, USA

problem #5

Apr 082011

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 125,000 miles
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.

- Riverhead, NY, USA

problem #4

Jan 102010

Sonata

  • 88,400 miles
Rust and bubbling paint around fuel door, inside fuel door and both rear wheel wells on a 2003 Hyundai Sonata with 88,483 miles.

- Parma, OH, USA

problem #3

Dec 112006

Sonata

  • 35,404 miles
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.

- Mason, OH, USA

problem #2

Aug 042008

Sonata

  • 53,020 miles
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.

- Mason, OH, USA

problem #1

Jul 132007

Sonata 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles
Cut fingers on sharp chrome lamination on door handles.

- Plainfield, IL, USA