Check a VIN

2003 Hyundai Sonata electrical problems

19 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 45,000.

owner complaints
19
of this car's complaints
10%
typical mileage
45,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Wiring: front underhood
    1
  • 12v/24v/48v battery
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Hyundai Sonata electrical problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202025

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2003 Hyundai Sonata owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 23, 2021 · Airbags, Electrical · UT

Airbag light came on and stays on. Pulled a code that pointed to the wiring in the passenger seat. Moved wiring around and made sure connectors were properly plugged and the light went away for maybe a week. Light is back on again. Removed seat bolts to gain better access, used tubing and electrical tape to straighten any kinked wiring I could find underneath passenger front seat, disconnected and reconnected connections. Airbag light blinked once and still remains on with the code still pointing to the passenger seat wiring. Apparently this issue has been reported many times in online forums with no meaningful response from the company though this clearly affects proper airbag deployment.

Filed Jun 6, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · 136,000 miles · UT

The air bag light is constantly on, meaning that in the event of an accident, they will not deploy. Incredibly dangerous. This is apparently due to wiring underneath the passenger seat stretching and pinching from moving the seat itself and when things are placed underneath the seat that may disturb the wiring. I know it is the wiring underneath the passenger seat due to checking the trouble code and also being able to temporarily fix the issue for a couple weeks by gingerly moving the wires until the light went away. Now I can't get the light to go away no matter what methods I try. Can't find a replacement set of wires nor can I locate which wire specifically is being affected to try to fix the issue myself. I have seen dozens of people making this same complaint about the airbag light staying on. This needs a recall since this can easily lead to death since the airbag will not deploy to attempt saving methods to passengers. Light was on for the previous owner for I don't know how long and has been on for me for almost a year now.

Filed Aug 11, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · 144,967 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 hyundai sonata. The contact stated that the brake warning light illuminated and the vehicle was leaking brake fluid. The contact also stated that the air conditioner failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the air conditioner compressor failed and the brake sensors were replaced; however, the air conditioning system was not repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 144,967.

Filed Aug 29, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 142,000 miles · MD

My neighbors informed me that my brake lights were stuck on. One of them researched and read that it may be the m48 stop lamp switch. We found the plastic backing portion from the contact plate that pushes the switch in. It was broken in pieces and laying on the floor mat below the brake pedal. He replaced it with something that is temporarily doing the job. I will be taking my car into the hyundai dealer next week to have this fixed. They will also be replacing my gas tank that got punctured while they were replacing the valve-canister cl, canister assy., and valve-purge contr. Back in feb. 2014 when I could not easily get fuel into the vehicle. I believe the fuel issue should be a recall as well from all of the people I have seen on the internet searching for resolutions to the same problem with their hyundai's.

Filed May 7, 2014 · Electrical, Fuel system · OH

Car quits running when I put fuel in it, I have tried changing fuel pump ,filter nothing works was goin down the freeway car dies for no apparent reason came so close to having an accident because I was in fast moving lane. So I pulled over and took around 10 min, finally started. Stop atgas station to fill up with gas had to set for 30 min before my car would start , I need to no what is wrong with this car before someone is seriously hurt .

Filed May 18, 2010 · Electrical · 123,289 miles · KY

Air bag light stays on, was intermittent at first but now stays on all the time. Have an appointment at the dealer to check to see if the system is working properly. Also the check engine light is intermittent. Also the antenna has now stopped going up and down.

Filed Apr 14, 2010 · Airbags, Electrical · 28,000 miles · CA

Air bag indicator light remains on all the time, per hyundai not covered under extended warranty as it is caused by the cable and harness assembly which wears out. It started as intermittent but now never turns off. When intermittent they said it was not fixed as it never was on when taken to dealer. It started during the new car warranty period, but did not remain on until it went into extended warranty. Then they said it would cost between 700 and 1200 to replace, not covered by warranty, even though it apparently disables the airbag system. They say it is a "maintenance item", subject to normal wear such as wiper blades. Extended warranty contract explicitly states every thing covered by new car warranty is included. Cable and harness is not in the list of excluded or maintenance coverage.

Filed Oct 15, 2009 · Electrical · 98,000 miles · GA

Car loose power momentarily while driving, does not shut off. Dealer cannot find the problem.

Filed Jan 23, 2008 · Electrical · 63,000 miles · LA

Car has just over 62,000 miles and has had all maintenance completed on time. Leaving the gym I unlocked my doors using the remote and got in. I started the car and fiddled with the radio for a couple minutes before pulling out. When I got on the road the locks all locked (as if I had pressed the remote locking button!). I pressed the "unlock" button on the drivers side door panel, only to have the alarm go off and the hazard lights come on as I drove down the road. I pulled over and used the remote to lock the car back and unlock it again, and the alarm stopped. I turned off the car and it will not start. The engine will not even turn over or try to turn when I try to start. The dome lights stay on so I know it's not the battery (which is brand new). I tried leaving it for a few minutes and starting again, but still nothing happened. I will have it towed to the dealership in the morning to find out what the problem is.

Filed Sep 12, 2007 · Electrical · 45,000 miles · TX

One morning the car would not unlock with the keyless remote, I unlocked it with the key, then went to the store and locked it. Came out of the store then I unlocked it with the key again and started driving down the street. About 5 min into the drive, my doors automatically locked. At this point I was a little shocked because my doors never lock. Then all of a sudden the alarm started to sound. I was very afraid that the car would lock up. I finally kept pressing the unlock button on the key ring and it shut off. No problems till after work. The car door unlocked with the electric unlocker, as soon as I got in the alarm went off and the car would not start. I started pressing the button again, the alarm went off. No problem for about a week, took it to the shop, nothing could be found once again. I had told them the last time I took it in that the doors sometimes do not unlock right away. After picking it up from the shop I drove about 10 miles to a store and when I came out, the car would not start. I had to have it jumped. The car worked again, it is an on and off issue that I have had for a I would also like to let you know that on more then one occasion I have also let hyundai of el paso know that there is something wrong with my car because it is making ticking noises, and the central locking/unlocking system. I forgot to mention this on the previous occasion. Each time the service rep took my car in, he told me nothing could be found. My car at times will not unlock. Right before the last time I brought it to the shop something very strange happened. I told the service clerk the story and once again, they could not find anything wrong. Again this seems to me to be an electrical problem. I am since my car has a little over 60,000 miles this is in four parts sorry that I had to break this up into parts there are 4 complaints filed

Questions about the 2003 Hyundai Sonata electrical

Does the 2003 Hyundai Sonata have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the electrical of the 2003 Hyundai Sonata, 10% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Hyundai Sonata electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 45,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Hyundai Sonata electrical?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Hyundai Sonata have the most electrical problems?

The Hyundai Sonata model years with the most electrical complaints are 2011 (444 complaints), 2013 (261 complaints) and 2012 (235 complaints).

Other 2003 Hyundai Sonata problems

Airbags 43Body 38Fuel system 18Engine 17Brakes 15Suspension 15Locks 13Transmission 10Wheels 10Steering 9Seat belts 7Tires 7Visibility 5Acceleration 3Lights 3

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2003 Hyundai Sonata?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history