Model year
2003 Hyundai Sonata
NHTSA lists 6 recalls and 199 complaints for the 2003 Hyundai Sonata (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (34), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (17), SUSPENSION (14). NHTSA lists 3 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 20–23 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,900–$3,350, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 276 complaints
- 2001 205 complaints
- 2002 320 complaints
- 2003 199 complaints
- 2004 202 complaints
- 2005 165 complaints
- 2006 1,047 complaints
- 2007 696 complaints
- 2008 425 complaints
- 2009 460 complaints
- 2010 345 complaints
- 2011 3,378 complaints
- 2012 1,558 complaints
- 2013 1,916 complaints
- 2014 750 complaints
- 2015 1,153 complaints
- 2016 728 complaints
- 2017 766 complaints
- 2018 374 complaints
- 2019 162 complaints
- 2020 181 complaints
- 2021 134 complaints
- 2022 94 complaints
- 2023 88 complaints
- 2024 46 complaints
- 2025 17 complaints
- 2026 3 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
09V317000 · Aug 7, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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…
09V171000 · May 21, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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…
09V124000 · Apr 16, 2009
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, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE,…
04V369000 · Jul 26, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
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,…
04V178000 · Apr 9, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
03V097000 · Mar 17, 2003
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
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.
Complaints
199 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 17, fire flag on 2, injury field 45, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE05059 | TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURES · TIRES; TIRES:VALVE; WHEELS:HUB | Nov 7, 2005 | May 11, 2006 |
| EA08016 | FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION · STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS; STRUCTURE; SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM; SUSPENSION:FRONT; SUSPENSION | Aug 21, 2008 | Apr 20, 2009 |
| PE08071 | INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE LACERATION HAZARD · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | Dec 15, 2008 | May 29, 2009 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonata · 2.4L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Sonata · 2.4L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 28 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Sonata · 2.7L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Sonata · 2.7L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Hyundai Sonata at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.