NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Hyundai Sonata. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATES. HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND STATED THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE INSTALLED A HARNESS TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. INSTEAD, THEY ONLY RECONNECTED SOME WIRING AND CLEARED THE AIR BAG INDICATOR. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. AFTER TWO TO THREE WEEKS, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE HYUNDAI MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY ARE REVIEWING THE ISSUE AND WILL CALL THE CONTACT BACK. HE HAS NOT YET RECEIVED A RETURN PHONE CALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,800.
AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ILLUMINATED. ON A SIDE NOTE, MY WIFE WAS USING THE CAR IN 2008 AND THE WHOLE CAR UST SHUT DOWN ON HER WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING, SHE COULD NOT START IT AND AFTER A FEW TRIES IT STARTED AGAIN. IT SEEMS TO BE ON OR AFTER A VERY WET/RAINY DAY? *TR
MY 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS HAS A DASH AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUALLY ON. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS @ 70,000 MILES. HE SAID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WOULD BE NEEDED TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE LIGHT STAYS ON AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS, I NOTICED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB SITE. HAS HYUNDAI DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? *TR
IN 2007, I HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY AIRBAG LIGHT REPEATEDLY COMING ON. I WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT INVOLVING ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. WHEN I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS WIRING PROBLEMS AND AT THAT TIME IT WAS STILL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. A FEW MONTH LATER IT CAME ON AGAIN AND THIS TIME I WAS TOLD THE SENSOR HAD TO BE RESET. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP I WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPLETE MOTHERBOARD CIRCUIT HAS FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE, RUNNING ALMOST $800. *TR
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. *TR
I FORGET THE DATE, HOWEVER, IT WAS IN AUGUST OF 2008. IT WAS HEAVILY RAINING AND AS ME AND MY FRIENDS WERE ABOUT TO TAKE OFF FOR RANDOM SHENANIGANS, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. *TR
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON TOOK TO DEALER HAD REPLACE CIRCUIT BOARD 2 WEEKS LATER LIGHT CAME BACK ON DEALER SAID NEEDED NEW WIRING HARNESS. *TR
PROBLEMS DUE TO RUST. SERVICE AT COLUMBIA HYUNDAI ON 8/4/08 TO REPLACE POWER STEERING LINE AFTER POWER STEERING FAILED DUE TO LINE RUSTING OUT. *TR
I TOOK MY 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA IN FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION AND FOUND OUT THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD TO BE REPLACED, WHICH IS NO SMALL FEAT ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS AND KNOW IT'S UNDER INVESTIGATION, BUT WANTED TO LOG MY COMPLAINT AS WELL. *TR
I AM THE ONE-OWNER OF A 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA, 4 CYL., SEDAN. TWO MONTHS AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRED, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE YET TO HAVE IT CHECKED, BUT THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I AM HESITANT TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH THIS INDICATOR WILL COST TO DIAGNOSE. *TR
WITHIN ONE YEAR OF BUYING MY HYUNDAI 2003 SONNTA, I CUT MY FINGER ON THE SILVER COATED INSIDE DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE SILVER COATING OF THE DOOR HANDLE SOMEHOW SPLINTERED AND CUT MY FINGER LIKE A STRAIGHT RAZOR BLADE. THE CUT WAS VERY DEEP AND MY FINGER BLED PROFUSELY FOR ABOUT 10 OR 15 MINUTES. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE HANDLE WAS REPLACED. A SHORT TIME AFTER, MY HUSBAND SLICED HIS FINGER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. AGAIN THE CUT WAS VERY DEEP; IT WAS LIKE A STRAIGHT RAZOR CUT. HIS FINGER BLED PROFUSELY FOR 10 - 15 MINUTES. AGAIN THE DEALER REPLACED THE HANDLE. BACK IN NOVEMBER OF 2007, SOMEONE WAS GETTING OUT OF THE BACK SEAT, AND THEN THIS PERSON CUT HER FINGER ON THE SILVER COATED INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. THIS TIME I CONTACTED HYUNDAI HEADQUARTERS AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM..THE REP. I SPOKE TO SAID SHE DID NOT HEAR OF ANY SIMILIAR PROBLEMS. THEY CONTACTED THE CAR DEALER AND THE HANDLE WAS REPLACED. NOW A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, I CUT MY HAND ON THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE (THIS WAS A HANDLE THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED). I CONTACTED HYUNDAI AGAIN AND AM AWAITING DISPOSITION ON THIS. THERE IS SOMETHING VERY WRONG WITH THESE DOOR HANDLES. THE CUT IT CAUSES IS LIKE A STRAIGHT RAZOR CUT. IT SLICES DEEP AND IT BLEEDS VERY BADLY. I TOLD HYUNDAI THAT I AM SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO EXPERIENCE THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. IN FACT, I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THESE DOOR HANDLES. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT I THINK THE GOV. NEEDS TO GET INVOLVED WITH. THANK YOU MARIA FACCHIN THANK YOU MARIA FACCHIN *TR
I HAVE A 2003 SONATA GLS. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND STEADY FOR ABOUT A YEAR, NOW WITH THE NEW STATE INSPECTIONS IN MASSACHUSETTS MY CAR WILL NOT PASS AND I AM AN OUTSIDE SALES REP USING MY OWN CAR. I ASKED HYUNDAI ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND IF THERE HAS BEEN COMPLAINTS OR A RECALL AND SHE SAID NO. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THIS PROBLEM, I OWE MORE MONEY THAN THE CAR IS WORTH AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND I DID NOT RECEIVE A CAR FAX FROM THE DEALER SO I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO ME BUY IT. *TR
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. *TR
SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE, AIRBAG HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS, NEVER DEPLOYED WHEN IN ACCIDENT, FIRST ISSUE WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, SAID THEY HAD TO REWIRE IT, A FEW MONTHS LATER LIGHT COME ON AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY TELL ME THE CIRCUIT MOTHERBOARD HAS CRASHED, COMPLETELY DISABLING THE AIRBAG. SECOND INCIDENT WAS WITH ALTERNATOR, LIGHT CONTINUED COMING ON, DEALERSHIP SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH CAR. CAR EVENTUALLY BROKE DOWN IN TRAFFIC, ALTERNATOR HAD WENT OUT COMPLETELY AND IT WAS ONLY A FEW DAYS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. I WAS FORCED TO COME OUT THE POCKET, NOW THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE. THE SHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAS FAILED AND MY CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY CAR, AND I USE IT FOR TRANSPORTATION FROM SCHOOL AND WORK LOCALLY. *TR
CHROME ON INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES PEELS AND CREATES LACERATION HAZARD. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A RECALL TO REPLACE AFFECTED HANDLES BECAUSE OF A STATED LACERATION HAZARD. THE DEALER REPLACED HANDLES UNDER THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT HANDLES ARE NOT AN IMPROVED PRODUCT AND THE CHROME PEELS LIKE THE ORIGINALS. THE DEALER ONLY ALLOWS ONE REPLACEMENT UNDER THE RECALL, WHICH CREATES A CONTINUING HAZARD TO THE OWNER AND PASSENGERS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT'S WIFE OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE BATTERY EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR HOOD DAMAGE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,000.
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.
I PURCHASED MY 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA IN APRIL 2004. SINCE THEN I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MY AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED OFF A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT CONNECTORS PINS WERE NOT MAKING GOOD CONTACT, HE RE-POSITIONED IT AND STATED IT SHOULD BE FINE. IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED SOON. *TR
CUT FINGERS ON SHARP CHROME LAMINATION ON DOOR HANDLES. *TR
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
WHILE DRIVING, UNDER MANY DIFFERENT CONDITIONS, MY HYUNDAI SONATA STALLS. IT HAS HAPPENED OVER A DOZEN TIMES. AFTER PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I LET THE CAR SIT FOR A WHILE AND IT STARTS RIGHT BACK UP AGAIN. OCCASIONALLY I HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED. IT DOES NOT SEEM TO OCCUR WHILE THE CAR HAS CRUISE CONTROL ON, EVEN WITHOUT IT BEING ENGAGED, JUST POWERED ON. *TR
TWO OF THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES HAVE A SILVER METALLIC FOIL THAT HAS SPLIT AND COME LOOSE. MY SON CUT HIS FINGER OPENING THE DOOR. NOW THE DRIVER DOOR INSIDE HANDLE ALSO HAS THE SILVER FOIL COMING LOOSE. WE HAVE HAD TO PUT TAPE ON IT TO PREVENT GETTING ANOTHER CUT FINGER. *TR
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.
PURCHASED 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA BRAND NEW. DEFECTIVE RADIO REPLACED 1 MONTH AFTER PURCHASE. BATTERY DEAD AFTER 2 YEARS AND 8,500 MILES. NO REASON. BATTERY REPLACED BY MYSELF. BATTERY DEAD AGAIN IN AUGUST OF 2006. REPLACED AGAIN. BATTERY DEAD AGAIN ON DECEMBER 30TH 2006. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP STATED THE BATTERY WAS BAD. REPLACED AGAIN AT MY EXPENSE. I SAID THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRAINING 3 BATTERIES WITH LESS THAN 10,00 MILES. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE RADIO!?! AND THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE RADIO AT MY EXPENSE BECAUSE THE RADIO RAN OUT OF WARRANTY 5 MONTHS PRIOR! I BELIEVED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING ELECTRICAL WRONG WITH THE CAR AND I DO NOT THINK I CAN TRUST THE VEHICLE NOW.*JB
PROBLEMS DUE TO RUST. STATEMENT FROM KEY HYUNDAI SERVICE ON 12/11/06 INDICATES EXCESSIVE RUST CAUSED REAR BRAKE PADS TO STICK AND WEAR DOWN PREMATURELY. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUB FRAME HAD FRACTURED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
I BOUGHT MY HYUNDAI USED BECAUSE OF ALL THE GREAT RATINGS IT GOT. IT HAD ABOUT 30,000 MILES ON IT. NOT OLD AT ALL FOR ME. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK MY CAR TO DEALER IT WAS BECAUSE OF BACK WINDOW BRAKE LIGHT STAYING ON, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING. THEY KEPT MY CAR FOR TWO DAYS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS FIXED BUT ON MY WAY HOME THE CRUISE CONTROL STILL DID NOT WORK. TWO DAYS AFTER I PICKED UP MY CAR, THE CRUISE CONTROL MYSTERIOUSLY STARTED WORKING AGAIN. THEN A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND MY CAR STARTED TO ACT UP AND WAS HESITATING WHILE DRIVING. I HAD IT TOWED TO HYUNDAI AND IT WAS KEPT FOR TWO DAYS AGAIN. I ALSO LET THE DEALER KNOW AT THAT TIME THAT THE CAR HAD ISSUES AND WAS ACTING UP, TOLD HIM ABOUT THE LIGHT ISSUE AGAIN AND THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKED ON AND OFF. THE DEALER SAID HE CHANGED THE SWITCH OUT, TUNED UP THE CAR, HAD THE INSIDE GAS FILTER CHANGED BECAUSE I ASKED FOR IT, AND WANTED TO SELL ME A $600 BELT. I ASKED HIM IF THE BELT WAS BROKEN HE TOLD HE THAT MANUFACTURE SUGGESTS CHANGING IT OUT AT 60000 MILES. I TOLD HIM THAT THE CAR DID NOT HAVE THAT MANY MILES YET AND AGAIN ASKED IF THE BELT WAS BAD. HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT BUT AGAIN SAID THAT THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTS IT BE CHANGED. WELL I PERSONALLY DON'T SEE PAYING $600 FOR A BELT THAT WAS NOT BROKEN. IF ITS NOT BROKEN IT SHOULDN'T NEED TO BE FIXED.
RADIO DISPLAY GOES OUT FREQUENTLY. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO READ RADIO STATION FREQUENCY. HAVE TO CONSTANTLY TAP ON THE RADIO NEAR THE DISPLAY TO GET IT TO FUNCTION FOR A SHORT TIME. NOTIFIED THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIO WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED THE WEEK BEFORE. SERVICE TECH SAYS HIS SONATA DID THE SAME THING. *JB
HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. HAD BOTH FRONT BRAKES REPLACED COSTING ABOUT $200. THEY STILL SQUEAK WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL , AND SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING. ALSO, PANT HAS COMPLETELY COME OFF THE DOOR HANDLES, AND THERE WAS RUST ON DIFFERENT SPOTS OF THE CAR HOOD. I HAD THE DOOR HANDLES REPLACED INSIDE THE CAR BECAUSE THE SILVER WAS PEELING, CAUSING US TO CUT OUR HANDS, BUT THAT DIDN'T COST ME ANYTHING. *AK
DRIVER DOOR ALARM KEEPS ALARMING. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER ONCE ALREADY TO BE REPAIRED. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THIS TIME TOLD ME THAT ON THIS MODEL THE DOOR NEEDS TO BE TIGHTENED/ADJUSTED. NOW 2 MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING ONLY WORSE. NOW THE DOOR LIGHT IS COMING ON AND THE LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD IS COMING ON. MAYBE THE DOOR IS DEFECTIVE AND GOING TO FALL OFF. *NM
2003 HYUNDAI SONATA 4 DOOR SEDAN. CHROME IS PEELING FROM METAL INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES AT RANDOM SUCH THAT PASSENGER OR DRIVER WILL GRASP HANDLE TO OPEN DOOR AND SEVERAL LACERATIONS TO HANDS AND FINGERS WILL RESULT. LACERATIONS ARE DEEP ENOUGH TO RELEASE BLOOD. I WAS A DRIVER AND PASSENGER ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS IN SAME VEHICLE AND CUT RIGHT AND LEFT HANDS ON BOTH INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES. UPON FIRST ENCOUNTERING PEELING CHROME ON DRIVERS SIDE HANDLE, THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AT 3675 SHERIDAN DRIVE AMHERST, NEW YORK (716) 835-8500. SAID DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE HANDLE BUT DID NOT REPLACE ANY OTHERS. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHEN OPENING THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ON AUGUST 13, 2006, I CUT MY RIGHT HAND IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS RESULTING IN A RELEASE OF BLOOD. MY WIFE HAD ALSO CUT HER HAND ON THE DRIVER SIDE HANDLE. APPARENTLY HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE WHICH IS A SAFETY RELATED MANUFACTURING DEFECT RESULTING FROM A DEFECTIVE PLATING / CLEANING PROCESS PRIOR TO PLATING. HYUNDAI HOWEVER, HAS NOT ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL OF ALL VEHICLES FOR THIS REASON. PLATING DEFECTS SUCH AS THIS ARE PROCESS RELATED AND WILL BE PRESENT IN THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES ASSEMBLED. I AM A EXPERIENCED QUALITY ENGINEER AND DIRECTOR AND AM KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE PLATING PROCESS. MY CLAIM IS BASED UPON THE FACT THAT THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP MAINTAINS STOCK REPLACEMENT HANDLES AND OTHER CLAIMS POSTED ON WWW.EDMUNDS.COM AS FOLLOWS: CHROME ON INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES PEEL OFF AND CAUSES MAJOR CUTS ON HANDS WHEN OPENING DOOR. ... 03/10/2004, REVIEW OF A 2003 SONATA 4 CYLINDER SEDAN BY JBS... WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/USED/2003/HYUNDAI/SONATA/100188028/RATINGS_CONSUMER.HTML - 124K - CACHED - SIMILAR PAGES. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN 45-50 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE SWITCH LINES, CUTTING OFF THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WENT INTO THE LEFT LANE AND HIT A GUARD RAIL ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD IMPACTING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN SPUN AROUND ACROSS BOTH LANES AND HIT THE GUARD RAILS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD HEAD ON. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN ALERTED. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE INJURIES SUSTAINED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. UPDATED 07/17/06. *JB
2003 HYUNDAI SONATA, RIGHT REAR DISC BRAKE BROKE AT 24,000 MILES - WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WE WERE TOLD THAT BECAUSE WE DID NOT HAVE THE CAR SERVICED AT THE DEALER THAT THE WARRANTY WAS VOID - VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED EVERY 5000 MILES PLUS A YEARLY NY STATE INSPECTION PERFORMED - THE DEALER ADVISED THAT BECAUSE THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUE TO HAVE THE BRAKE 'SLIDERS' GREASED EVERY 15,000 MILES THAT THE WARRANTY WAS VOID - OUR SERVICE MANUAL FOR OUR VEHICLE DOES NOT STATE THAT THIS IS NEEDED - THE ON LINE SERVICE INFORMATION DIRECT FROM HYUNDAI DOES NOT INDICATE THAT THIS IS NEEDED NOR IS IT EVER RECOMMENDED TO HAVE THAT SERVICE DONE - THE DEALER SAID THAT WE WERE TO BLAME BECAUSE WE FAILED TO HAVE THE BRAKE 'SLIDERS' GREASED EVEN THOUGHT IT IS NOT MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED ANYWHERE THAT ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC CAN VIEW. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. WHILE INSPECTING UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRES WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALER DETERMINED THE WIRES WERE DAMAGED BY RODENTS. THE WIRING HARNESS IS BEING REPLACED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE AIRBAG WIRING LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE FRONT SEATS WAS DISLODGED INDICATING AN AIRBAG FAILURE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED KEEPING THE SPACE UNDERNEATH THE FRONT SEATS CLEAR OF ANY DEBRIS.
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. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, ANOTHER VEHICLE ENTERED AND STARTED SPINNING. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE TO THE FAR LANE, BUT THE OTHER VEHICLE STILL HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS, BUT THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES INCLUDING A BROKEN FINGER. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.
I AM EXPERIENCING THE VALVE STEM/TIRE ISSUES IN MY 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED. I HAVE HAD 2 FLAT TIRES SINCE JULY AND BOTH TIMES I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE VALVE STEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A HYUNDAI ISSUE AND THAT WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP THE HUBCAP SPINS AND EVENTUALLY "SNAPS" OFF THE VALVE STEM. I HAVE CALLED 2 DIFFERENT HYUNDAI DEALERSHIPS AND THEY BOTH DENIED THAT IT WAS A HYUNDAI ISSUE. THEY BOTH CLAIMED THAT I PROBABLY HAVE THE WRONG SIZE TIRE ON THE CAR. I FELT LIKE MY ISSUE WAS DISMISSED BOTH TIMES. THE TIRES ON THE CAR ARE THE EXACT SIZE AS REFERENCED IN MY OWNERS MANUAL. I WAS TOLD THAT REPLACING THE TIRES TO A "SPECIFIC BRAND" WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. SO YESTERDAY, I BOUGHT 2 NEW TIRES AFTER I COULD NO LONGER KEEP AIR IN THE FRONT TIRES FOR MORE THAN 6 HOURS. WHEN THEY REMOVED THE HUBCAPS, THEY SAID THAT THE TIRES DEFLATED ON THEIR OWN, THROUGH THE VALVE STEMS. I CAME ONLINE TO RESEARCH THIS ISSUE AND SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THE ISSUE AND SAW AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION THAT HAS JUST BEGUN AND THOUGHT IT BEST TO LODGE A COMPLAINT. I HAVE RECEIPTS FOR ALL OF THE REPAIRS AND NEW TIRES IF THIS IS NEEDED. *JB
WHILE DRIVING SOUTH ON US68, AN ONCOMING NORTHBOUND CONCRETE TRUCK TURNED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF US. WHEN WE HIT, THE PASSENGER'S SHOULDER HARNESS OF MY 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA FAILED TO "LOCK". I WAS THROWN AGAINST THE DASH AND THEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED DIRECTLY AGAINST MY CHEST. MY WIFE'S AIRBAG (SHE WAS DRIVING) DEPLOYED SLIGHTLY FASTER, BUT LATE ENOUGH THAT IT OPENED UNDER HER CHIN AND POPPED HER HEAD BACK. SHE HAS THREE DAMAGED DISKS IN HER NECK (TWO HERNIATED AND ONE BULGING). MY SHOULDER HARNESS WAS NO HELP, AND MY AIRBAG ACTUALLY INJURED ME BY FIRING LATE AND IN CONTACT WITH MY CHEST. MY WIFE'S AIRBAG, ALTHOUGH SLIGHTLY FASTER, CAUSED HER INJURY BY DEPLOYING SLOWLY. *NM
CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF US TO TURN LEFT WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS AND NO BLINKER. WHEN WE REALIZED HE WAS STOPPED WE IMMEDIATELY HIT THE BRAKES. THE SURFACE (CONCRETE) ON THE BRIDGE WAS SLICK AND DID NOT ALLOW US TO HAVE TRACTION. WE SKIDDED APPROX 65 FEET AND REAR-ENDED THE CAR AT APPROX. 40-45 MPH. PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAD FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVERS SIDE DEPLOYED. *NM
I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE WIRING PROBLEMS, AND FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO DEALER TWO OF WHICH CAR DIED WHILE IDLING AND WAITING FOR GREEN LIGHTS. *NM
THE CHROME PAINT ON THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES SPLIT AND BECAME VERY SHARP. THEY CUT MY HAND ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. *JB
HUBCAPS ON 2003 SONATA SLIDE AROUND PINCHING VALVE STEMS. THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED WHEN I REPLACED TIRES FROM MICHELIN TO BF GOODRICH . TIRES ARE PROPER SIZE .THIS PROBLEM OF THE HUBCAPS SHIFTING HAPPENS DAILY AS I HAVE TO REMOVE HUBCAPS AND STRAIGHTEN. HAVE NOW REMOVED HUBCAPS PERMANENTLY FOR SAFETY REASONS. HAVE HAD ONE BLOW-OUT DUE TO STEM BEING TWISTED. NUMBER OF FAILURES BELOW ARE ESTIMATED BUT THE HUBCAPS UNTIL RECENTLY WERE OUT OF POSITION DAILY. DATE OF BLOW-OUT BELOW IS ESTIMATED SOMEONE AROUND THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST. *JB
IN 2005 WHILE DRIVING MY GIRL FRIENDS 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA, I WENT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN OF A MAIN STREET IN OAKLAND, CA. AND WAS HIT BY A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ OWN THE PASSENGER SIDE. NO AIR BAGS WHERE DEPLOYED AT ALL. $8.000 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE WAS DONE. HYUNDAI CORPORATION NEVER CAME OUT TO LOOK AT THE CAR, BUT RULED THAT THE SENSORS ACTED PROPERLY. THE CAR WA EQUIPPED I BELIEVE WITH FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS. *NM
I HAVE A 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA. A PROBLEM HAS DEVELOPED RECENTLY IN WHICH MY HUBCAPS ARE ROTATING ON THE WHEEL AND CUTTING THE TIRE STEMS THUS RESULTING IN BOTH OF MY FRONT TIRE GOING FLAT AT ONCE. I REPORTED THIS THRU THE HYUNDAI COMPLAINT HOTLINE. THEY THOUGHT I WAS NUTS. I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND FOUND OTHER SONATA OWNERS WITH SIMILIAR PROBLEM. THEY ALSO REPORTED THIS TO THE HYUNDAI COMPLAINT HOTLINE WITH SIMILAR UNSATISFACTORY RESULTS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THE LAST OCCUARANCE THAT THIS HAPPENED WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE 75 IN OHIO. AFTER A "HARD BRAKE" BOTH FRONT HUBCAPS ROTATED AND CUT BOTH HUBCAPS AT ONCE RESULTING IN A DUAL FLATS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.
THE WHEEL COVERS ON MY 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA ARE MOVING ON THE RIMS OF MY TIRES CAUSING THE TIRE VALVE STEMS TO FLATTEN AND EVENTUALLY WEAR THROUGH CAUSING SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE. I HAVE HAD TWO (2) SUDDEN TIRE VALVE FAILURES SINCE PURCHASING FOUR NEW UNIROYAL TIGER PAW 205/65R15 TIRES FROM B.J.'S WHOLESALE CLUB ON MAY 7. 2005. THE TIRES I BOUGHT WERE THE EXACT SIZE SPECIFIED FOR MY CAR IN THE B'J'S TIRE CATALOG AND MY OWNER'S MANUAL. THE HYUNDAI DEALER TRIED PUTTING ON NEW WHEEL COVERS BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP. LATER THEY SAID THAT THE TIRES WERE STICKING OUT TOO FAR OVER THE RIMS, CAUSING THEM TO BE IN CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL COVER, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL COVERS TO MOVE AND FLATTEN THE VALVE STEMS. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE TIRES WERE THE RIGHT SIZE BUT SAID THEY WERE SOMEHOW DIFFERENT FROM THE TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE HYUNDAI OWNER'S MANUAL WHICH SPECIFIES ANY PARTICULAR TIRE OR BRAND OF TIRE, OR WHICH STATES THAT CERTAIN TIRES CANNOT BE USED. THE ONLY SPECIFICATION IS THE SIZE, WHICH IS 205/65R15, EXACTLY WHAT I PURCHASED. THE PROBLEM IS ONGOING. AT THE DEALER'S SUGGESTION, I AM DRIVING WITHOUT THE WHEEL COVERS. EVEN IF I BUY ANOTHER SET OF TIRES, HOW DO I KNOW THEY WON'T CAUSE THE SAME PROBLEM? *NM HYUNDAI ADMITTED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE THIS PROBLEM BUT WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *SC
2003 HYUNDAI SONATA HAD TO FLAT TIRES DUE TO THE WHEEL COVERS ROTATING AND CUTTING OR PIERCING THE VALVE STEMS. *TS *JB
ON 03/26/05, I PURCHASED BF GOODRICH TOURING T/A PRO SERIES (SIZE P205/65R15) FOR MY 2003 SONATA AT SAM'S CLUB. IN A MONTH AND A HALF, I HAD 4 FLAT TIRES AND 10 VALVES REPLACED BECAUSE THE HUB CAPS SPIN AND SLICE THE VALVES. I LOST 7.5 HOURS OF WORK AND RECEIVED A BACK INJURY WHILE TRYING TO CHANGE ONE OF THE TIRES. I'VE SPOKEN TO HYUNDAI AND BF GOODRICH - BOTH OF WHICH SUGGESTED GETTING THE H RATED TIRES INSTEAD OF THE S RATED. I DID THAT, BUT IT DIDN'T WORK. I ALSO PAID $75 FOR A DIAGNOSTICIAN TO TELL ME THAT I HAD THE WRONG BEAD ON THE TIRES BUT WHOM COULDN'T SUGGEST A SOLUTION. MY OWNERS MANUAL SIMPLY STATES, ALWAYS REPLACE YOUR TIRES WITH THOSE OF THE RECOMMENDED SIZE LISTS THE TIRE SIZE SPECIFICATIONS AS P 205/65R15. THERE IS NO RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT BRAND NAMED AND NO MENTION ABOUT HAVING THE CORRECT SIZE BEADING. I TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER DEALER AND LEARNED THAT THE BF GOODRICH TIRES HAVE A BEAD PROTECTANT WHICH CAUSE THE HUB CAPS TO REST DIRECTLY AGAINST MY TIRES THUS CAUSING THEM TO SPIN. THERE SHOULD BE A GAP BETWEEN THE HUBCAP AND TIRE. I SWITCHED TO A GOODYEAR TIRE AND HAVE NOT HAD PROBLEMS SINCE. THE PROBLEM WITH SLICING VALVE STEMS ONLY OCCURS ON THE 15 INCHES TIRES WITH HUBCAPS (AS OPPOSED TO THE 16 INCHES TIRES ON ALUMINUM WHEELS.)
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 NHTSA 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.
I PURCHASED A 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA IN JUNE 2003. AT 18,000 I HAD TO REPLACE MY FRONT TIRES DUE TO WEAR. I HAD THE CORRECT SIZE MOUNTED AND IT WENT FLAT APPROXIMATELY 5-6 TIMES. MY DEALER KEPT SAYING IT WAS THE TIRE DEALERS FAULT HOWEVER, IF THE CORRECT SIZE TIRE IS USED IT COULD NOT BE THEIR FAULT. CAR DEALER REFUSED TO LOOK AT UNTIL ABOUT THE FIFTH TIME. I BECAME IRATE AND THEY TOOK IT IN. I WAS TOLD MY CAR WILL ONLY USE THE EXACT SAME TIRE THAT CAME ON IT FROM FACTORY. THIS IS NOT IN ANY OF THE CAR INFORMATION OR OWNERS MANUAL. ANY OTHER TIRE USED CAUSES FRICTION ON THE WHEEL COVER CAUSING IT TO MOVE AND CUT THE TIRE VALVE. I FEEL THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IF THE TIRE HAD GONE FLAT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR AT HIGHER SPEEDS IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL ACCIDENT. LUCKILY, IT KEPT GOING FLAT AFTER IT WAS PARKED. I JUST HAD TWO MORE TIRES PUT ON, THE EXACT SAME ONES THAT CAME ON THE CAR STANDARD. WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS. *JB