The chrome on the interior door handle of driver side exhibited a crack and separated. My wife cut her finger on the cracked chrome plating. I contacted hyundai customer assistance center at 1‑800‑633‑5151 and was told that my vehicle was not included in the door handle recall (I.e., the federal safety agency campaign id number: 09v171000). I don't understand how one vehicle can be recalled while others of the same year and model are not.
2003 Hyundai Sonata locks problems
13 complaints (7% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 54,000.
- owner complaints
- 13
- of this car's complaints
- 7%
- typical mileage
- 54,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Doors: latch5
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Hyundai Sonata locks problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Hyundai Sonata locks
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
- What is wrong
- Hyundai is recalling 82 model year 2002-2003 sonata vehicles. Repeated use of the interior door handle may cause wear of the chrome plating. 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.
- Risk
- A sharp edge could lacerate or otherwise injure a vehicle occupant.
- Remedy
- Dealers will repair the chrome plated interior door handle free of charge. The recall began on september 16, 2009. Owners may contact hyundai of puerto rico at 1‑787‑999‑3333.
Recall number 09V317000 · Recall details
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
- What is wrong
- Hyundai is recalling 91,350 my 2002-2003 hyundai sonata vehicles. 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.
- Risk
- This may inflict laceration injuries to anyone using the door handle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will repair the chrome plated interior door handle free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during june 2009. Owners may contact hyundai customer assistance center at 1‑800‑633‑5151.
Recall number 09V171000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Interior door handle laceration hazard
The manufacturer has issued a safety recall notification as a result of this investigation.the recall affects 91,202 my 2002-2003 subject vehicles produced from january 28, 2002, through march 22, 2003.the vehicle recall population was defined by the manufacturer's use of a new supplier for the chrome plating process beginning in january 2002, and a production change in march 2003 to improve adhesion of the plating to the door handle.vehicles being recalled represent 59 percent of the total my 2002-2003 production, but account for 91 percent of the consumer complaints received.the process change for my 2002 vehicles resulted in a dramatic increase in complaints (1200 percent on a per unit rate basis).my 2003 vehicles built after march 2003 production change showed a similar decline in the complaint rate.based on the manufacturer's action, this investigation has been closed.
PE08071
What 2003 Hyundai Sonata owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Vehicle had been recalled in 2009 (pe08071) due to defective chrome on door handles. This vehicle had been taken to dealership, chrome was repaired as it had caused a small laceration. Chrome is again defective, caused laceration on hand again today when attempted to open door. This occurred on the passenger side door which is very rarely used. Chrome is also peeling off of emergency brake handle, risking further laceration. Contacted dealership (go hyundai - 104th & federal, westminster, co), dealership said this is no longer covered as they do not warranty the work done as part of a recall. In addition, car is too old for it to be covered under warranty. Car does continue to be covered under warranty for powertrain only. I have never experienced this type of problem on any model of car regardless of age. This appears to be unique to hyundai.
Chrome on interior - drivers side door handle has erupted in one spot producing a piercing sharp needle-point which can pierce the finger or hand when opening the door. Care is required to avoid skin piercing injury.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 hyundai sonata. The contact stated that the driver side door started to deteriorate and became sharp to the touch. He received injuries to his fingers after opening the door. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who stated that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
I have a 2003 hyundai sonata. The chrome plates on interior door handle of driver and passenger side exhibited a crack and began to separate. My wife and I have both cut our fingers on the cracked chrome plate. When I brought my vehicle to the dealer, service manager told me that my vehicle was not included in the door handle recall. Hyundai recall only vehicle produce in 2002- 2003 march, but my vehicle was produce in 2003 april. I don't understand how one vehicle with a problem can be recalled, and the other in same year and model with same problem is not included.
My wife and I have both cut our hands on the chrome inside door handles of our 2003 hyundai sonata. When I questioned the dealer , lafontaine automotive group , in dearborn,mi. I was told that my vehicle was not included in the door handle recall. I don't understand how one vehicle with a problem can be recalled, and another with of the same year and model is not included. Please explain to me. I have pictures that I will try to send to the web site, if I can't I do have them for future reference.
I truly believe the safety of my entire family is at risk after finding out that the door locks in the 2003 sonata lx failed to respond to signals from my remote. I discovered the problem one night after locking my car and then sending my friend to retrieve an item from the vehicle. I forgot to give my friend the key to unlock the car and as a result I was surprised when he returned with the item. I inquired how he did this his response was the left rear door was open. Upon further investif=gation and attempting to lock the car with the remote it was realized that the lock was not responding. This situation was scary to know because my family drives the car at different times and this can endanger them if someone comes into the vehicle while they are away from the car. Living in ny and environs most of the times our cars are parked on the street and a prospective thief can access the car easily. The dealership changed the left rear door actuator after many calls to the manufacturer. I had to pay a reduced cost of $50 to get it foxed after hyundai agreed to supply the necessary part since the car had just crossed 60000 miles/ 5 years . They said the reason the actuator becomes faulty is their inability to distribute current evenly to the system. Now the right rear door actuator has become faulty at 70000 plus miles and both parties, the dealership and hyundai, refuse to fix the problem although it was acknowledge to be a known and possible defect in these vehicles. The door now stays in the lock position but again it is a safety issue if I'm trying to gain access to the car in an emergency....please advise hyundai to stand by their product....and replace all defective actuators in their line of vehicles.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 hyundai sonata. He received recall 09v171000 pertaining to rust on the frame. He was not satisfied with the method used to correct the recall repair. He stated that the manufacturer placed stickers on the door handle and that they were unfolding due to the temperature in his state. He also stated that since the stickers were metallic, they could possibly cut you if handled incorrectly. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were willing to assist any further and advised the contact to simply remove the stickers. The contact was not satisfied with their response. There were no failures at this time. The current mileage was 47,782.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 hyundia sonata. The vehicle was parked when the contact observed that the interior front driver and passenger chrome door handle exhibited a crack and began to separate. There was also a sharp edge on the chrome plate surface. A passenger in the front seat sustained an injury to a finger on the defective door handle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number 09v171000 (latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch). The recall remedy was insufficient and did not address the recall defect. The contact had concerns of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 30,000. The current mileage was 96,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 hyundai sonata. During a routine oil change the dealer repaired recall #09v171000, component: latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch hyundai recall# 093. The repair consisted of placing a plastic cover on the door handle. The mileage was 42,193.
Questions about the 2003 Hyundai Sonata locks
Does the 2003 Hyundai Sonata have locks problems?
Owners have filed 13 complaints about the locks of the 2003 Hyundai Sonata, 7% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2003 Hyundai Sonata locks problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 54,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Hyundai Sonata locks?
Yes, 2 recalls: 09V317000, 09V171000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Hyundai Sonata have the most locks problems?
The Hyundai Sonata model years with the most locks complaints are 2017 (17 complaints), 2003 (13 complaints) and 2004 (12 complaints).
Other 2003 Hyundai Sonata problems
Airbags 43Body 38Electrical 19Fuel system 18Engine 17Brakes 15Suspension 15Transmission 10Wheels 10Steering 9Seat belts 7Tires 7Visibility 5Acceleration 3Lights 3
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