MYRModel Year Report

2003 Hyundai Sonata

▲ Better than typical
2003 Hyundai Sonata
RENDERED 2026-11-01T11:37:39.983Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
199
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

23% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 16 complaints 1991: 29 complaints 1992: 22 complaints 1992 1993: 26 complaints 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 68 complaints 1996: 23 complaints 1997: 49 complaints 1997 1998: 49 complaints 1999: 124 complaints 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2002: 320 complaints 2003: 199 complaints 2003 199 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2006: 1,047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2008: 425 complaints 2009: 460 complaints 2010: 345 complaints 2011: 3,380 complaints 2012: 1,559 complaints 2012 2013: 1,915 complaints 2014: 748 complaints 2015: 1,154 complaints 2016: 727 complaints 2017: 767 complaints 2017 2018: 375 complaints 2019: 162 complaints 2020: 182 complaints 2021: 134 complaints 2022: 94 complaints 2022 2023: 88 complaints 2024: 47 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2026: 3 complaints
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 16 complaints 1990 1991: 29 complaints 1992: 22 complaints 1993: 26 complaints 1993 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 68 complaints 1996: 23 complaints 1996 1997: 49 complaints 1998: 49 complaints 1999: 124 complaints 1999 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2002: 320 complaints 2003: 199 complaints 2003 199 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2006: 1,047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2008: 425 complaints 2008 2009: 460 complaints 2010: 345 complaints 2011: 3,380 complaints 2011 2012: 1,559 complaints 2013: 1,915 complaints 2014: 748 complaints 2014 2015: 1,154 complaints 2016: 727 complaints 2017: 767 complaints 2017 2018: 375 complaints 2019: 162 complaints 2020: 182 complaints 2020 2021: 134 complaints 2022: 94 complaints 2023: 88 complaints 2023 2024: 47 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1989 1990: 16 complaints 1991: 29 complaints 1991 1992: 22 complaints 1993: 26 complaints 1993 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 68 complaints 1995 1996: 23 complaints 1997: 49 complaints 1997 1998: 49 complaints 1999: 124 complaints 1999 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2001 2002: 320 complaints 2003: 199 complaints 2003 199 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2005 2006: 1,047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2007 2008: 425 complaints 2009: 460 complaints 2009 2010: 345 complaints 2011: 3,380 complaints 2011 2012: 1,559 complaints 2013: 1,915 complaints 2013 2014: 748 complaints 2015: 1,154 complaints 2015 2016: 727 complaints 2017: 767 complaints 2017 2018: 375 complaints 2019: 162 complaints 2019 2020: 182 complaints 2021: 134 complaints 2021 2022: 94 complaints 2023: 88 complaints 2023 2024: 47 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2025 2026: 3 complaints

2003: 199 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19860
19871
19880
198911
199016
199129
199222
199326
19943
199568
199623
199749
199849
1999124
2000276
2001205
2002320
2003199
2004202
2005165
20061,047
2007696
2008425
2009460
2010345
20113,380
20121,559
20131,915
2014748
20151,154
2016727
2017767
2018375
2019162
2020182
2021134
202294
202388
202447
202517
20263

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

23% · 45 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Rear ended the vehicle in front at a stop light. The airbags never deployed. Now the airbag light is on in the vehicle. Repairs are $1349.00 replace the wire harness.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-06-03

Also filed under Structure

While driving 40 MPH consumer's vehicle collided with the vehicle in front. Upon impact, both frontal air bags failed to deploy. Driver sustained minor injuries. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. *ak.....

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-10-05

Structure

20% · 39 reports

Most commonly citing door and body.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I took my car in to have a faulty door handle replaced which I cut my hand on. It had already been replaced once during a recall. Obviously the same faulty part was put on again.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-01

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 09V124000 NHTSA Action Number: EA08016 Recall calls for repair or replacement of front sub-frame, due to corrosion. Local dealer responded, “ . . . we will not be able to perform recall”.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-07-22

Electrical system

10% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing front underhood and 12v/24v/48v battery.

Show complaint excerpts

The air bag light is constantly on, meaning that in the event of an accident, they will not deploy. Incredibly dangerous.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-06-06

Service brakes

9% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Suspension

8% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing rear.

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic, the mechanic discovered severe corrosion on the suspension.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-09-04

The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced by an independent mechanic, the mechanic informed the contact that the front subframe was severely corroded.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-06-26

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2003-06-30Tires03V097000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2004-06-30Fuel system, gasoline04V178000 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…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2004-10-05Fuel system, gasoline04V369000 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.…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2005-11-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2006-05-11 Tire valve stem failures
  5. I
    2008-08-21Engineering analysisClosed 2009-04-20 Front sub-frame corrosion
  6. I
    2008-12-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-05-29 Interior door handle laceration hazard
  7. R
    2009-07-13Latches/locks/linkages09V171000 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…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2009-07-17Suspension09V124000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2009-09-16Latches/locks/linkages09V317000 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…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Hyundai Sonata — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 45 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 39 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 19 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V097000 · Tires
  • Recall 04V178000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 04V369000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 09V171000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 09V124000 · Suspension
  • Recall 09V317000 · Latches/locks/linkages
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Hyundai Sonata is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Hyundai Sonata?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Hyundai Sonata have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.