2003 Hyundai Sonata Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 5%of 199 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 117,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Hyundai Sonata, 5% of the 199 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 117,000 miles. 2 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.
“We purchased a 2003 Hyundai Sonata (base model) and the vehicle pulled to the right. I took the vehicle to the dealer and a alignment was performed. We got the vehicle back and again noted that it still pulled to the right. Returned to the dealer and this time they stated they could not confirm our complaint. We were told that vehicle normally pulled to the right upon acceleration and that the design of the roads caused it to pull to the right as well.”
NHTSA complaint #10049093, filed 2003-12, 52 miles“While driving I realized the steering was getting more and more difficult to turn upon pulling aside I noticed a fluid leaking near the right axel upon further investigation I realized the power steering fluid reservoir was empty. I refilled it and turned the steering and the fluid just gushed out. If I continued driving this could have been fatal if I did not have the strength to steer the vehicle correctly as the steering wheel got stiffer and stiffer, the entire power steering line failed in new york due to rusting. The replacement part was $120 and labor an additional $200. …”
NHTSA complaint #10304070, filed 2010-02, 78,289 miles“03 Hyundai Sonata gls (v6). Driving 55mph hit pothole and lost steering. Pulled over, removed rf wheel to discover control arm bolts ripped out of the subframe from rust. Heard about recall and investigated. Car was inspected for recall in 2010 passed then at dealer in marlton, nj. Waiting for call back from different dealer to find out the procedure to file a claim. Dealers in se pa are not customer oriented so making complaint here to document incident.”
NHTSA complaint #10705546, filed 2015-04, 160,500 miles“Merged into left lane on highway going about 65mph. Car spun to face opposing way. Hit wall on passenger side, spun back around and went across highway to hit opposite wall. Car had been totaled as I walked away with.”
NHTSA complaint #10403969, filed 2011-06, 125,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle began to veer to the right without warning and the power steering failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front subframe was corroded. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 117,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11115140, filed 2018-08, 117,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 4% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 7 | 4% |
| 2019 | 6 | 4% |
| 2018 | 9 | 2% |
| 2017 | 173 | 23% |
| 2016 | 33 | 5% |
| 2015 | 74 | 6% |
| 2014 | 65 | 9% |
| 2013 | 342 | 18% |
| 2012 | 301 | 19% |
| 2011 | 1,171 | 35% |
| 2010 | 15 | 4% |
| 2009 | 26 | 6% |
| 2008 | 6 | 1% |
| 2007 | 12 | 2% |
| 2006 | 35 | 3% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 13 | 6% |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% |
| 2002 | 24 | 8% |
| 2001 | 10 | 5% |
| 2000 | 8 | 3% |
| 1999 | 6 | 5% |
| 1998 | 2 | 4% |
| 1997 | 1 | 2% |
| 1996 | 1 | 4% |
| 1995 | 2 | 3% |
| 1993 | 3 | 12% |
| 1992 | 2 | 9% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
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 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsTires
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Hyundai Sonata
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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