2003 Hyundai Sonata Recalls
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2003 Hyundai Sonata. A recall applies only to vehicles built within the affected range, so check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for recalls are free at a franchised dealer.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › LatchCovers: Hyundai Sonata 2002–2003
Reported issue: 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 areas as the door handle is used. The worn chrome plating on the upper edge of the handle may result in a crack or separation between the…
Possible consequence: A sharp edge could lacerate or otherwise injure a vehicle occupant.
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.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › LatchCovers: Hyundai Sonata 2002–2003
Reported issue: 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 plated areas as the door handle is used. The worn chrome plating on the upper edge of the handle may result in a crack or separation between…
Possible consequence: This may inflict laceration injuries to anyone using the door handle.
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.
- SuspensionCovers: Hyundai Sonata 1999–2004, XG300 2001–2004, XG350 2001–2004
Reported issue: 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, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. Road salt applied in…
Possible consequence: If that happens, the vehicle may lose drive power to the wheels, and the front wheel may make contact with the fender or wheel well, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
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 incorporates additional holes in the upper and lower panels. If the front sub-frame does not require replacement, the dealer…
- Fuel system, gasoline › StorageCovers: Hyundai Sonata 2002–2003, Elantra 2002–2003, XG350 2002–2003 +1 more
Reported issue: 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, fuel spillage may occur.
Possible consequence: Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
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.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assemblyCovers: Hyundai Sonata 2002–2003, Elantra 2002–2003, XG350 2002–2003 +1 more
Reported issue: 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.
Possible consequence: Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
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.
- Tires › Temporary/emergency spare tireCovers: Hyundai Sonata 2002–2003
Reported issue: 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.
Possible consequence: Inadvertent activation of the tcs will cause automatic application of the brake at the wheel where the compact spare tire is installed. Inadvertent brake application could cause overheating and damage to the brake, and may prevent the vehicle from being driven at speeds above 20 mph, which could result in a crash.
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 the t125/80r-15 compact spare tire. Vehicles produced from november 15, 2002 through december 16 2002, already contain…
NHTSA investigations
- PE08071Interior door handle laceration hazardClosed · Dec 15, 2008
- EA08016Front sub-frame corrosionClosed · Aug 21, 2008
- PE05059Tire valve stem failuresClosed · Nov 7, 2005
← All problems reported for the 2003 Hyundai Sonata
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.