2003 Hyundai Sonata Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 4%of 199 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the seat belts of the 2003 Hyundai Sonata, 4% of the 199 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Belt gets stuck, jammed, doubled over jammed, in belt guide attached to car (pillar) above shoulder. Belt can not retract to snug position. This defeats purpose of having seat belt. Happens repeatedly. It is quite difficult to unravel to get belt to work properly. My wife drives this car and she has stopped telling me about the problem and drives around with belt in jammed position.”
NHTSA complaint #10660184, filed 2014-11, 40,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Sonata. The contact was driving approximately 30 MPH when he crashed into another vehicle. The driver side air bag failed to deploy and the seat belt failed to restrain the contact. The contact sustained injuries to the chest, rib and neck. The vehicle was towed to the insurance tow-yard. The failure and the current mileage was 107,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 11/16/11”
NHTSA complaint #10430809, filed 2011-10, 107,000 miles“While driving south on us68, an oncoming northbound concrete truck turned directly in front of us. When we hit, the passenger's shoulder harness of my 2003 Hyundai Sonata failed to lock . I was thrown against the dash and then the airbag deployed directly against my chest. My wife's airbag (she was driving) deployed slightly faster, but late enough that it opened under her chin and popped her head back. She has three damaged disks in her neck (two herniated and one bulging). My shoulder harness was no help, and my airbag actually injured me by firing late and in contact with my chest. …”
NHTSA complaint #10142622, filed 2005-11“The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated the front driver and passenger's seat belt retractors would lock the seat belts extremely tight and intermittently would not release the seat belt around the vehicle occupant. The dealer advised the seat belt retractor would need to be replaced at the expense of the owner. The vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 80,000. Updated 7/16/10 the consumer stated there were internal problems with the seat belts. Updated 07/21/10.”
NHTSA complaint #10330477, filed 2010-05, 80,000 miles“The consumer's Hyundai Sonata developed the following problems: the paint was peeling, the sun roof was broken, the passenger side window was inoperative, the brakes failed, the seatbelt broke, the engine blew up and the air bags failed to deploy. The engine surged. As a result of the engine blowing, the right side disintegrated.”
NHTSA complaint #10125845, filed 2005-06Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 5 | 3% |
| 2018 | 8 | 2% |
| 2017 | 8 | 1% |
| 2016 | 9 | 1% |
| 2015 | 21 | 2% |
| 2014 | 25 | 3% |
| 2013 | 62 | 3% |
| 2012 | 75 | 5% |
| 2011 | 107 | 3% |
| 2009 | 8 | 2% |
| 2008 | 19 | 4% |
| 2007 | 60 | 9% |
| 2006 | 102 | 10% |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 7 | 4% |
| 2002 | 5 | 2% |
| 2001 | 1 | 0% |
| 2000 | 5 | 2% |
| 1999 | 6 | 5% |
| 1997 | 1 | 2% |
| 1995 | 1 | 2% |
| 1993 | 2 | 8% |
| 1992 | 4 | 18% |
| 1991 | 9 | 31% |
| 1990 | 3 | 19% |
| 1989 | 2 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2003 Hyundai Sonata
43 complaintsBody and structure
38 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsWheels
10 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsTires
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Hyundai Sonata
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology