The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at Valvoline for a service appointment, the contact was made aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 09V124000 (Suspension). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the subframe assembly and additional unknown parts were not included in the recall repair. In addition, the contact was informed that the recall could not be performed because other repairs were needed prior to the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
2003 Hyundai Sonata body problems
38 complaints (19% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 95,000. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 38
- of this car's complaints
- 19%
- typical mileage
- 95,000
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Body: door13
- Body9
- Frame and members5
- Frame and members: underbody shields1
- Body: door: hinge and attachments1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Hyundai Sonata body problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Front sub-frame corrosion
In a letter dated april 14, 2009, hyundai-kia america technical center, inc (hyundai) notified the federal safety agency that hyundaiis conducting a safety recall of model year (my) 1999 through 2004 hyundai sonata vehicles manufactured prior to november 20, 2003 that are registered and operated in the following salt belt states and the district of columbia: connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin.hyundai is recalling the vehicles to remedy a condition where internal corrosion of the front subframe may lead to separation of the lower control arm at the forward mounting point and/or separation of the axle from the transaxle.this could result in a loss of vehicle control and/or vehicle disablement. The subframes will be inspected in the recalled vehicles using a procedure developed by hyundai to measure metal thickness.parts with perforations from corrosion or with metal below the specified thickness will be replaced with redesigned subframes.if the minimum metal thickness is met, drainage holes and rust proofing material will be added to the existing subframe. Odi's analysis of complaint data revealed that 98% of the consumer complaints were from vehicles either originally sold or operated in saltbelt states. Similarly 99.7% of the warranty claims were from vehicles originally sold or operated in saltbelt states.odi identified 105 reports of lower control arm detachment and/or axle separation from the transaxle through analysis of warranty and complaint information and consumer interviews.one hundred three (103) of the 105 incidents involved vehicles in states covered by the recall.in addition to the subject vehicles, hyundai also noted in the april 14, 2009 letter that my 2001 through 2004 xg300 and xg350 were also being recalled as they were manufactured with subframes similar in design the subject vehicles.based on hyundai's decision to conduct a safety recall this engineering analysis is closed.
EA08016
What 2003 Hyundai Sonata owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
the federal safety agency Campaign ID Number: 09V124000 the federal safety agency Action Number: EA08016 Recall calls for repair or replacement of front sub-frame, due to corrosion. Local dealer responded, “ . . . we will not be able to perform recall”. I was told the corrosion was too far gone to repair. They refuse to replace the defective part.
The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while self-inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the subframe was extremely rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,425. The contact stated that no assistance has been offered from the dealership from which the vehicle was purchased from.
Tl* 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 hyundai sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH and making a right turn, there was a loud noise coming from the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle began to shake violently. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the sub frame had fractured due to rust and corrosion. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,000.
2003 hyundai sonata affected by progressive, internal corrosion of the right front sub-frame on the vehicle, and resulting in thinning, rusting or perforation of the sub-frame steel. The corrosion/rust is visible and discovered during inspection & routine maintenance, and also hear noises & notice tire misalignment and steering pull.these signals are detecting the corrosion progressing and the forward mounting of the lower control arm detaching from the sub-frame. The vehicle was bought new in nebraska, and has remained in nebraska its entire life. Nebraska uses salt on its roads in the same capacity as iowa and other "salt states". Such cars should be included in the recall when considering the lack of safety and dangers involved when the subframe deteriates due to defects in the manufacture of said car. Hyundai should honor and extend the recall of said car in the state of nebraska because the defect in the subframe has been affected identically as in other "salt states".
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 the chrome plating on the inboard and outboard surfaces of the handle, which may form a sharp edge. Consequence: this may inflict laceration injuries to anyone using the door handle. Basically when you go to use the inside door handles the peeling chrome is sharp and cuts your fingers. Hyundai recall #93 ended in march 2003, my car was manufactured in may 2003. The problem is identical to the models in recall #93.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 hyundai sonata. When the vehicle was taken to be inspected, the inspector observed that the subframe was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v124000 (suspension). The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 hyundai sonata. The contact stated that the four interior door chrome handles exhibited extremely sharp edges. The contact suffered from a two inch laceration to both fingers on the left hand. The front driver and passenger upper door handles caused the injuries. The contact applied tape to the four door handles to avoid additional injuries. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v171000 (latches/locks/linkages). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 hyundai sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle veered to the left and right independently. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Questions about the 2003 Hyundai Sonata body
Does the 2003 Hyundai Sonata have body problems?
Owners have filed 38 complaints about the body of the 2003 Hyundai Sonata, 19% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2003 Hyundai Sonata body problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 95,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Hyundai Sonata body?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Hyundai Sonata have the most body problems?
The Hyundai Sonata model years with the most body complaints are 2010 (164 complaints), 2000 (109 complaints) and 2002 (88 complaints).
Other 2003 Hyundai Sonata problems
Airbags 43Electrical 19Fuel system 18Engine 17Brakes 15Suspension 15Locks 13Transmission 10Wheels 10Steering 9Seat belts 7Tires 7Visibility 5Acceleration 3Lights 3
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