2003 Hyundai Sonata Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 5%of 199 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,300miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Hyundai Sonata, 5% of the 199 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,300 miles.
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.
“The transmition slips and then sometimes it just revs up while doing this. Only had about 2600 miles on it. Dealer can not find the problem. I told him he has to drive it like I do. I have had 35 years in bein a mechanic and I know it's the transmission. This problem should get resolved very soon as I need my car to be dependable.”
NHTSA complaint #10069448, filed 2004-01, 2,600 miles“Car seems to lose power and then jerks back on. Only lasts about 1 second. I purchased this car used with around 13000 miles. This has happened about 10 times during the 8 months I have owned the car. Dealer says without a trouble light/error code there is nothing they can do.”
NHTSA complaint #10171904, filed 2006-10, 14,000 miles“My car is 8 months old with 9300 miles, and I had to put another transmission in..the Hyundai service manager claimed he put a new transmission in, when in fact he put a rebuilt transmission in. This happened 2 weeks ago. Then yesterday (04-13-04) my speedometer stopped working, brought it into the shop again, and was told they had to order a new speed sensor. What gives? Don't they keep parts in stock. I phoned the parts department and asked if they had this sensor in stock and they said yes. I also called another dealer in the next town and was told they also had the part. …”
NHTSA complaint #10066194, filed 2004-04, 9,300 miles“I have a 2003 Sonata bought new in july 2003, now has 11000 miles. 3 weeks ago texaco discovered a leak around the rt. Cv joint. I took it to key Hyundai who said they fixed it. It was still leaking as of yesterday. Yesterday I was driving home from work when I heard a rattle from the rear. My engine started ticking. Suddenly the car shot forward and sounded like something fell out from the back. I was about 100 ft from my driveway (thank goodness this did not happen on the interstate) so I pulled in with a trail of red fluid following me. My driveway is now covered with this fluid. …”
NHTSA complaint #10056177, filed 2004-01, 11,000 miles“You can not fill gas tank pass half with out the smell filling the car .the back suspension when you go over 40 tales from side to side .the car was on the highway .”
NHTSA complaint #11362935, filed 2020-10, 150,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10196546May 21, 2021Hyundai approves only the ATF, DCT gear oil and IVT gear oil specified in the vehicleâÂÂs ownerâÂÂs manual. ï· Use of other ATF may result in improper shift quality or…
- 10174807Apr 17, 2020The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following components for both OEM (new) and remanufactured automatic transmissions:
- 10128154Dec 1, 2017This SKU is an Air Conditioning Bypass Pulley. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for potential bracket cracking. Bracket cracks may cause…
- 10128153Dec 1, 2017This SKU is an Air Conditioning Bypass Pulley. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for potential bracket cracking. Bracket cracks may cause…
- 10128119Dec 1, 2017This SKU is an Air Conditioning Bypass Pulley. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for potential bracket cracking. Bracket cracks may cause…
- 10128118Dec 1, 2017This SKU is an Air Conditioning Bypass Pulley. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for potential bracket cracking. Bracket cracks may cause…
- 10082725Sep 2, 2016This bulletin provides information on components, attributes, and precautions of the 7-speed dry-type dual clutch transmission (dct).
- 10082455Aug 9, 2016"the pcm or tcm contains logic to adjust solenoid duty and line pressure as needed to compensate for normal clutch wear over the life of the transaxle. This bulletin provides the…
- 10032908Oct 1, 2009Hyundai: ata solenoid diagnostic trouble codes p0740, p0741, p0742, p0743, p0746, p0748, p0750, p0755, p0760, p0765, p0770. Incorrect operation of the transaxle solenoids may…
- 10030984Jul 1, 2009Hyundai: automatic transaxle range switch diagnostic trouble codes p0705 (range switch signal problems), p0707 (range switch open circuit), and p0708 (range switch short circuit…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 18% |
| 2024 | 6 | 13% |
| 2023 | 17 | 19% |
| 2022 | 24 | 25% |
| 2021 | 25 | 19% |
| 2020 | 24 | 13% |
| 2019 | 8 | 5% |
| 2018 | 40 | 11% |
| 2017 | 56 | 7% |
| 2016 | 59 | 8% |
| 2015 | 135 | 12% |
| 2014 | 55 | 7% |
| 2013 | 94 | 5% |
| 2012 | 97 | 6% |
| 2011 | 173 | 5% |
| 2010 | 21 | 6% |
| 2009 | 41 | 9% |
| 2008 | 14 | 3% |
| 2007 | 9 | 1% |
| 2006 | 22 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 10 | 5% |
| 2003 | 10 | 5% |
| 2002 | 11 | 3% |
| 2001 | 18 | 9% |
| 2000 | 19 | 7% |
| 1999 | 14 | 11% |
| 1998 | 12 | 24% |
| 1997 | 9 | 18% |
| 1996 | 5 | 22% |
| 1995 | 15 | 23% |
| 1993 | 9 | 35% |
| 1992 | 5 | 23% |
| 1991 | 7 | 24% |
| 1990 | 7 | 44% |
| 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 complaintsWheels
10 complaintsSteering
9 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 31, 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