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2003 Hyundai Sonata fuel system problems

18 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 138,000.

owner complaints
18
of this car's complaints
9%
typical mileage
138,000
crashes
0
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • Storage: tank assembly
    2

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 fuel system problems in other years

1990200020052010201520202025

Related recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: storageReported July 26, 2004 · 919 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity" a valve on the fuel tank assembly may not close properly. If a vehicle rolls over and the fuel tank assembly valve is not properly closed, fuel spillage may occur.
Risk
Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install an additional fuel tank assembly valve. The recall began on october 5, 2004. Owners should contact hyundai de puerto rico at 1‑800‑981‑0188.

Recall number 04V369000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assemblyReported April 9, 2004 · 263,968 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Some passenger vehicles contain a fuel tank assembly valve that may not close properly. If a vehicle with a fuel tank assembly valve that is not properly closed were to roll over, fuel spillage may occur.
Risk
Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install an additional fuel tank assembly valve. Owner notification began on june 30, 2004. Owners should contact hyundai at 1‑800‑633‑5151.

Recall number 04V178000 · Recall details

What 2003 Hyundai Sonata owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 5, 2020 · Fuel system, Suspension · 150,000 miles · PA

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 .

Filed Mar 27, 2018 · Fuel system · 180,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 hyundai sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, there was smoke emitting from the front of the vehicle. In addition, there was an abnormal odor of fuel inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure could not be determined. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v178000 (fuel system, gasoline). A local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000. *tt

Filed Feb 2, 2016 · Fuel system · 106,111 miles · IL

Took car to dealer for oil change, front brakes and check engine light... Was told tech wouldn't touch evap canister or purge valve because fuel lines were too corroded in the vicinity of the needed repair that they may fracture... This car is only 12 years old... Coincidently my mother-in-law had a 2004 hyundai xg350l in which the fuel tank and fuel lines were corroded to the point that they were leaking and she had to replace the vehicle d/t the cost of repairs... I too am now faced with replacing my vehicle d/t high repair costs... I have driven many automobiles, of note a 1967 vw beetle (during the years 1997 thru 2002) in chicago with the snow and salt and never had issues with corrosion of any lines and I did all the work on that car! It was clean... What materials is hyundai using for it's fuel lines and fuel tanks that they are corroding/rusting out... My car, the 2003 hyundai sonata was 100% garage kept!

Filed Nov 3, 2015 · Fuel system · 80,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 hyundai sonata. The contact stated that gasoline spilled out of the contact's vehicle while refueling. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The dealer stated that the fuel pump assembly valve would have to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v178000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Nov 24, 2014 · Body, Fuel system · 162,000 miles · SC

In 2005, I purchased a 2003 hyundai sonata. After purchasing my car, I found out that it had a recall on the fuel valve that the company had to re-install. This recall information was not on my carfax report. Later, the manufacturer had a recall on interior door handles that peeled and cut hands. Their solution was to wrap my handles with electrical tape; after my objection, they installed the same recalled handles. I've had my interior handles replaced three times because the manufacturer didn't make the handles out of a different material and chooses to reinstall the same recalled handle. On november 22nd, I went to capitol hyundai to have them replace the recalled fuel valve, and interior door handles on my 2003 hyundai sonata. A service rep informed me that once the company replaces any recalled items the first time, it is the customer's responsibility to pay for them if they fail again. Surely, this cannot be correct! Recalls do not expire and as long as the owner has the vehicle, the manufacturer/dealership should be responsible if their materials are continuously failing to meet safety requirements. What are folks making payments or can't afford another vehicle now supposed to do? Drive around in a dangerous vehicle? Be it 1 time or 1 million times, I want capitol hyundai to indefinitely honor their recalls--at their expense.

Filed Nov 13, 2014 · Fuel system · FL

I was informed this vehicle has a one-way safety valve in the fuel filler neck that when working properly will prevent fuel from escaping should there be a roll over. This valve must be stuck in the partially open position since if causes a significant restriction when fueling the car. When fueling the car, fuel does not flow properly and only accepts half gallon at a time before the fuel handle shuts off. Then I must wait for the gas in the filler neck to drop before I can continue to fuel vehicle and then continually repeat this process. Though very time consuming to fill it up, this is a safety issue since the valve does not operate as designed. I was informed it would cost over $600 to replace this valve and I would think it should be a manufacturer's defect. The consumer has no control that would influence the valve's proper functionality.

Filed Aug 29, 2014 · Fuel system · 138,000 miles · MD

I was having great difficulty getting fuel into the vehicle. I took it to the hyundai dealership in annapolis, md. They replaced the valve-canister cl, canister assy., and valve-purge contr. When I picked up the vehicle, the issue had not been resolved. I took it back and I'm not sure what other parts they may have replaced because I never again received any paper work. When I picked it up again, I was able to put gas in it, but it was leaking fuel all over the road afterwards. They had punctured a hole in my gas tank while working on it. It took approximately a month & four trips to the dealership to get this all resolved. And then on aug. 4, 2014 I filled my gas tank up & fuel started leaking in the driveway again. Whatever they patched the hole in the gas tank with instead of replacing it, had blown. I contacted the dealership on aug. 5, 2014. When the new serv. Mngr. Finally agreed to look at the vehicle on aug. 12, 2014, he told me that it was in fact their fault & that he would order a new gas tank & it would arrive in 3-5 business. He also told me that they needed to replace all of the parts that I had already paid for back in feb. I told him they already replaced them & he simply said ok & scratched them off the estimate of which he will not provide me a copy of. I have contacted them numerous times, but they still have not replaced the gas tank. I emailed the serv. Mngr. & copied the ceo yesterday hoping this might incite a response. The assist. Serv. Mngr. Emailed me this morning & asked me if I could drop it off next wed. I told him I had 2 appt.'s that day & could only do so if they could provide me with a vehicle. I have not heard back. I believe the issue of not being able to get fuel into the vehicle should be a recall as well from all of the people that 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 Sep 30, 2013 · Fuel system · 148,000 miles · FL

I was informed this model has a safety valve in the gas filler neck that will prevent the gas from leaking out should the vehicle overturn. My valve must be stuck in the partially open position since I can only fill the gas tank every one-third of a gallon before the gas dispenser shuts off. Then I have to wait 10 seconds for it to seep into the tank before I can continue to pump. Filling my 17 gal tank takes about 10-12 minutes with most of the time just waiting for the gas to seep into the tank. Hyundai wants over $600 to repair. Unacceptable since it appears to be a design flaw.

Filed Mar 12, 2013 · Fuel system · MD

Like many other complainants, for the past month, I have experienced problems filling up my gas tank. After only 1 gallon or less, the pump automatically shuts off as if the tank is full. It has taken me approximately 10 minutes just to put 1/4 tank of gas in my vehicle. When this first happened, gas overflowed and spilled on my shoes, my car, and the ground. Thinking there was a problem with the gas pump, I went to a different gas station and had the same problem. In viewing forums throughout the internet, this appears to be a problem that's been ongoing for several years now for this car model. It is a safety hazard due to the potential for gas to overflow onto a person and the outside of the vehicle, which could lead to a fire under certain circumstances.

Questions about the 2003 Hyundai Sonata fuel system

Does the 2003 Hyundai Sonata have fuel system problems?

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Hyundai Sonata, 9% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Hyundai Sonata fuel system problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 138,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Hyundai Sonata fuel system?

Yes, 2 recalls: 04V369000, 04V178000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Hyundai Sonata have the most fuel system problems?

The Hyundai Sonata model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2013 (213 complaints), 2011 (135 complaints) and 2012 (117 complaints).

Other 2003 Hyundai Sonata problems

Airbags 43Body 38Electrical 19Engine 17Brakes 15Suspension 15Locks 13Transmission 10Wheels 10Steering 9Seat belts 7Tires 7Visibility 5Acceleration 3Lights 3

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