While driving car just stops. It has done this several times but starts back up once you put in park. However this time it stop while driving and did not start back up. The first it happen I took it to the shop and they said they could not find anything wrong. Even though the "check engine" light was on. Now it will not start at all.
2003 Hyundai Sonata: won't start
6 of the 199 complaints about the 2003 Hyundai Sonata describe won't start.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- typical mileage
- 45,000
- recalls
- 0
Won't start by model year
What owners say
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.
The car seemed to be doing ok for a little while. Then.... I took the car to get the yearly inspection done and it failed. The back passengers brake light was on non- stop. I am going to explain exactly what I mean. The back brake light is on when the car is driving but when you hit the brakes the secondary light is suppose to come on and make it brighter. The light bulb in the brake area had both low and high light on. I changed out the bulb twice that day thinking maybe the bulb is bad. When I looked at the part that holds the bulb it looked black like it was burning. Still the two lights stayed on. I talked to my friend in michigan who is a mechanic and he told me it sounds an electric problem. Then the car also started to die after driving it for a while. I had to have it jumped a couple of times and when I had the battery checked it was fine. I took it to the hyundai dealer again and told him what was going on, and that the car was having electric issues. I told him I changed the bulb twice and that the part that was holding the bulb was black and looked like it was burning. Guess what... They kept it for two days. I called that same day and the next and was told they were not able to get to it because they were to busy. When they finally did get to it the guy told me that it was just the bulb. I asked him about the burning part and was told that was fine. (car had about 59000 miles on it) now please tell me how it was just the bulb when I put two not just one but two in and it did not change. I asked if he had checked the electric system and was told all was fine. He also said they could not find anything wrong with the car and there was no reason found as to why it would not start.
Two weeks ago I drove down the street to the store, was in there for about 15 min and when I came out the car would not start. I have learned and now own my own jumper cables. I asked someone to jump it for me. Then I drove to the light and while waiting for the light to turn green the stereo went off, then the clock went off, then the lights in the dash went out, then the air conditioner when out, and last but not least the airbag light came on. The car was still running though. As soon as the light turned green and I started to drive everything started working again. I got back to the house and turned it off. Waited a few minutes turned it back on and it started.
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
After driving my car and shutting engine off for as little as five minutes the car would not start again. This has happen several times and it has been in the shop for repair eleven times. On one occasion my car lost power, engine died and would not start again. Car would have to be towed to the dealership. I have been through three alternators and one battery. They is a major electrical problem with the car. Hyundai will not replace this lemon. Car is in the shop now.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Higher-than-expected engine oil consumption
- Higher-than-expected engine oil consumption
- This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.
- Follow the guidelines outlined in
- This bulletin provides the service procedure for engine connecting rod bearing clearance testing
- This bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain vehicles listed below.
- Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system diagnosis
- 2003-2004 sonata 2.4L/2.7L TCM reprogramming instructions for driveline bump between 2-10 mph
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2003 Hyundai Sonata won't start
Is won't start a common problem on the 2003 Hyundai Sonata?
6 of 199 owner complaints about the 2003 Hyundai Sonata (3%) mention won't start. The model year with the most reports is 2011.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 Hyundai Sonata?
There are 0 recalls and 18 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2003 Hyundai Sonata
Airbag light 31Door locks 27No deployment 8Stalling 7Check engine light 6Ball joint 5Seat belt 5
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