MYRModel Year Report

2003 Hyundai Sonata

▲ Better than typical
2003 Hyundai Sonata
BUILT 2026-09-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Hyundai Sonata Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1987: 1 complaints 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: 319 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2003 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2006: 1047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2007 2008: 425 complaints 2009: 460 complaints 2010: 345 complaints 2011: 3375 complaints 2012: 1556 complaints 2012 2013: 1904 complaints 2014: 743 complaints 2015: 1141 complaints 2016: 721 complaints 2017: 761 complaints 2017 2018: 369 complaints 2019: 159 complaints 2020: 174 complaints 2021: 129 complaints 2022: 91 complaints 2022 2023: 85 complaints 2024: 45 complaints 2025: 16 complaints 2026: 2 complaints 2026
2003: 199 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19860
19871
19880
198911
199016
199129
199222
199326
19943
199568
199623
199749
199849
1999124
2000276
2001205
2002319
2003199
2004202
2005165
20061047
2007696
2008425
2009460
2010345
20113375
20121556
20131904
2014743
20151141
2016721
2017761
2018369
2019159
2020174
2021129
202291
202385
202445
202516
20262

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

AIR BAGS 23%

23% of complaints: air bags — 45 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20130603

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, 20041005

STRUCTURE 20%

20% of complaints: structure — 39 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing door and body.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20120501

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, 20250722

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 19 distinct reports on file, 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, 20180606

SERVICE BRAKES 9%

9% of complaints: service brakes — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY
SUSPENSION 8%

8% of complaints: suspension — 15 distinct reports on file, 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, 20250904

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, 20240626

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20030630 — tires

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

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 TO

Campaign 03V097000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040630 — fuel system, gasoline

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

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.

Campaign 04V178000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20041005 — fuel system, gasoline

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

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.

Campaign 04V369000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20051107 — PE (closed 20060511)

TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURES

I 20080821 — EA (closed 20090420)

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION

I 20081215 — PE (closed 20090529)

INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE LACERATION HAZARD

R 20090713 — latches/locks/linkages

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 PLAT

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.

Campaign 09V171000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090717 — suspension

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, M

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 INCORPO

Campaign 09V124000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090916 — latches/locks/linkages

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

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.

Campaign 09V317000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Hyundai Sonata — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (45 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (39 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 03V097000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V178000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V369000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V171000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V124000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V317000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 1998 ▲ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 2011 ■ 2013 ■ 2012

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.