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Model Year Problem Record

Hyundai Sonata 2003 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2003 Hyundai Sonata: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

199Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
6Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
9Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
30Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Air Bags45 complaints

45 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure39 complaints

39 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System19 complaints

19 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 04V178000, 04V369000.

Engine17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension15 complaints

15 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 09V124000.

Latches, Locks and Linkages13 complaints

13 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 09V171000, 09V317000.

Wheels11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires7 complaints

7 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V097000.

Seat Belts7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V097000Reported March 17, 2003 - 8,315 vehicles potentially affected

Tires. Recall covering the tires system, reported to NHTSA on March 17, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 8,315 vehicles across all affected models.

04V178000Reported April 9, 2004 - 263,968 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on April 9, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 263,968 vehicles across all affected models.

04V369000Reported July 26, 2004 - 919 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on July 26, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 919 vehicles across all affected models.

09V124000Reported April 16, 2009 - 188,282 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on April 16, 2009. The campaign covers an estimated 188,282 vehicles across all affected models.

09V171000Reported May 21, 2009 - 91,350 vehicles potentially affected

Latches, Locks and Linkages. Recall covering the latches, locks and linkages system, reported to NHTSA on May 21, 2009. The campaign covers an estimated 91,350 vehicles across all affected models.

09V317000Reported August 7, 2009 - 82 vehicles potentially affected

Latches, Locks and Linkages. Recall covering the latches, locks and linkages system, reported to NHTSA on August 7, 2009. The campaign covers an estimated 82 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA08016Opened August 21, 2008 - Closed April 20, 2009

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION. Resulted in recall campaign 09V124000.

EA08016Opened August 21, 2008 - Closed April 20, 2009

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION. Resulted in recall campaign 09V124000.

EA08016Opened August 21, 2008 - Closed April 20, 2009

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION. Resulted in recall campaign 09V124000.

EA08016Opened August 21, 2008 - Closed April 20, 2009

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION. Resulted in recall campaign 09V124000.

EA08016Opened August 21, 2008 - Closed April 20, 2009

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION. Resulted in recall campaign 09V124000.

PE05059Opened November 7, 2005 - Closed May 11, 2006

TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE05059Opened November 7, 2005 - Closed May 11, 2006

TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE05059Opened November 7, 2005 - Closed May 11, 2006

TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE08071Opened December 15, 2008 - Closed May 29, 2009

INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE LACERATION HAZARD. Resulted in recall campaign 09V171000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20022
200314
200423
200514
200613
200711
20087
200919
201012
201118
20126
20137
201419
20158
20168
20174
20183
20192
20202
20212
20231
20241
20252
20261
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.