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2003 Hyundai Sonata transmission problems

10 complaints (5% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 9,300.

owner complaints
10
of this car's complaints
5%
typical mileage
9,300
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    7
  • Manual transmission
    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 transmission 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 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 Nov 24, 2009 · Transmission · 98,000 miles · NJ

When coming to a stop car feels like its going to take off.

Filed Oct 26, 2006 · Transmission · 14,000 miles · VA

Car seems to lose power and then jerks back on. Only lasts about 1 second. I purchased this car used with around 13000 miles. This has happened about 10 times during the 8 months I have owned the car. Dealer says without a trouble light/error code there is nothing they can do.

Filed Aug 11, 2004 · Transmission · 200 miles · AZ

While driving at steady highway speeds, car experiences quick power surges. Visited dealership on two occasions now they tell me that they can not duplicate the problem, that their computers find no problem. Mechanic says " perhaps there is a part trying to go bad, but hasn't committed itself yet" what the hell does that mean? If you are just browsing this site, do not buy hyundai!

Filed Apr 14, 2004 · Transmission · 9,300 miles · FL

My car is 8 months old with 9300 miles, and I had to put another transmission in..the hyundai service manager claimed he put a new transmission in, when in fact he put a rebuilt transmission in. This happened 2 weeks ago. Then yesterday (04-13-04) my speedometer stopped working, brought it into the shop again, and was told they had to order a new speed sensor. What gives? Don't they keep parts in stock. I phoned the parts department and asked if they had this sensor in stock and they said yes. I also called another dealer in the next town and was told they also had the part. So why did my dealer lie to me..

Filed Feb 18, 2004 · Transmission · MI

About once a month I will be driving down the highway and the car jerks like it comes out of gear for a split second for no apparent reason.. It only happens above 55 MPH or more.

Filed Jan 30, 2004 · Transmission · 11,000 miles · FL

I have a 2003 sonata bought new in july 2003, now has 11000 miles. 3 weeks ago texaco discovered a leak around the rt. Cv joint. I took it to key hyundai who said they fixed it. It was still leaking as of yesterday. Yesterday I was driving home from work when I heard a rattle from the rear. My engine started ticking. Suddenly the car shot forward and sounded like something fell out from the back. I was about 100 ft from my driveway (thank goodness this did not happen on the interstate) so I pulled in with a trail of red fluid following me. My driveway is now covered with this fluid. The key hyundai of jacksonville had someone bring me a loaner car and said they'd clean up the spill. I had the car towed to them. No word yet. I travel the interstate before dawn daily and home again sometimes very late. I can't imagine what would have happened if this occured during those times. I will never trust this car again and refuse to drive it again. It scares me. I want my money back.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Transmission · 2,600 miles · ND

The transmition slips and then sometimes it just revs up while doing this. Only had about 2600 miles on it. Dealer can not find the problem. I told him he has to drive it like I do. I have had 35 years in bein a mechanic and I know it's the transmission. This problem should get resolved very soon as I need my car to be dependable.

Filed Dec 18, 2003 · Transmission · 8,000 miles · PA

Transmission continually slips between 2nd and 3rd gears. Had vehicle into dealer numerous times. Transmission was replaced at 11,000 miles and within 8,000 miles second (rebuilt -because that's what hyundai replaces new transmissions with) transmission also began slipping. Slippage is more pronounced in the colder temps. On one occasion, regional service manager drove vehicle and acknowledged slip. He then scheduled an appointment to further diagnose vehicle including electrical system, but this was cancelled the day before appointment when they realized that I had filed a lemon law complaint. From that day on, hyundai has refused to service the transmission and I am now awaiting lemon law hearing. Most recently, in the cold weather, transmission not only slips but makes loud metallic popping noise when it shifts into 3rd gear.

Filed May 19, 2003 · Transmission · 500 miles · NY

Transmission made loud clunking noises, brought into dealer, "couldn't duplicate" (typical response), then I found the transmission to be leaking, transmission was replaced at 1500 miles, still had bad shift patterns and hang ups in gears, more so after the transmission was replaced. Also had all sorts of front end noise that naturally got worse after they tore half of the front end out to change the transmission.

Questions about the 2003 Hyundai Sonata transmission

Does the 2003 Hyundai Sonata have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 10 complaints about the transmission of the 2003 Hyundai Sonata, 5% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Hyundai Sonata transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 9,300 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Hyundai Sonata transmission?

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

What year does the Hyundai Sonata have bad transmission?

The Hyundai Sonata model years with the most transmission complaints are 2011 (173 complaints), 2015 (135 complaints) and 2012 (97 complaints).

Other 2003 Hyundai Sonata problems

Airbags 43Body 38Electrical 19Fuel system 18Engine 17Brakes 15Suspension 15Locks 13Wheels 10Steering 9Seat belts 7Tires 7Visibility 5Acceleration 3Lights 3

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