The Lemon Index2003 Hyundai Sonata.
The 2003 Hyundai Sonata is about average by owner complaints: 66 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 98, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 20 to 23 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Sonata year is 2004.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 199 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Hyundai Sonata year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 30K to 106K miles on the car (148 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 49K–97K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 55K–133K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 28K–117K miles
Recalls 6
- latches/locks/linkages 2009
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 82 MODEL YEAR 2002-2003 SONATA VEHICLES.
- latches/locks/linkages 2009
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 91,350 MY 2002-2003 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES.
- suspension 2009
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, MASS…
Show all 6 recalls
- fuel system, gasoline 2004
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.
- fuel system, gasoline 2004
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY.
- tires 2003
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 78 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This SKU is an Air Conditioning Bypass Pulley
- Higher-than-expected engine oil
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedFront sub-frame corrosion2008–2009
- ClosedInterior door handle laceration hazard2008–2009
- ClosedTire valve stem failures2005–2006
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★★
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
When applying the brakes vehicle bounces and shakes. Dealer states rotors are warped.
2003 Hyundai Sonata owner · NHTSA complaint 10046294
More owner reports
While driving 55 mph consumer applied the brakes and vehicle continued to speed. Driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic could not resolve the problem.
NHTSA complaint 10057690
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.
NHTSA complaint 10095155
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 98; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Sonata year by this measure since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2003 Hyundai Sonata problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (17%), brakes (15%) and engine (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Hyundai Sonata have?
6 safety recalls (latest: latches/locks/linkages). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Hyundai Sonata get?
20 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Hyundai Sonata problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 30,800 and 106,800 miles. The middle report was at 65,300 miles, from 148 complaints.
Does the 2003 Hyundai Sonata have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Hyundai Sonata cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Hyundai Sonata have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
What Hyundai Sonata year is better than the 2003?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2019 and 2014.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works