Door problems of the 2003 Hyundai Sonata

Nine problems related to door have been reported for the 2003 Hyundai Sonata. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Hyundai Sonata based on all problems reported for the 2003 Sonata.

1 Door problem

Failure Date: 09/15/2014

The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the chrome covering on the interior door handle was corroded and cracked, which created sharp edges on the handle. When using the door handle to exit the vehicle, the contact experienced scratches and small lacerations due to the sharp edges. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09v317000 (latches/locks/linkages). The failure mileage was 105,000.

2 Door problem

Failure Date: 09/01/2013

The interior door handles of my 2003 Hyundai Sonata went under a recall in July 2009 because the chrome plating was splitting open and cutting people. Three door handles were replaced and one was rewrapped to fix the problem. In September 2013 the same issue arose when my wife and brother-in-law cut their hands on the door handles, whose chrome plating has again begun to split. Hyundai has said that no repairs will be made, since the handles were treated and the 2009 recall has finished.

3 Door problem

Failure Date: 05/09/2013

The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the four interior door chrome handles exhibited extremely sharp edges. The contact suffered from a two inch laceration to both fingers on the left hand. The front driver and passenger upper door handles caused the injuries. The contact applied tape to the four door handles to avoid additional injuries. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09v171000 (latches/locks/linkages). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

4 Door problem

Failure Date: 02/13/2013

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. , NHTSA campaign id number: 09v171000). I don't understand how one vehicle can be recalled while others of the same year and model are not.

5 Door problem

Failure Date: 04/27/2012

I took my car in to have a faulty door handle replaced which I cut my hand on. It had already been replaced once during a recall. Obviously the same faulty part was put on again. I was advised that I would have to pay $125. 00 for a new handle because they only perform a recall once. I thought that recall parts were replaced with different parts that are not faulty and the parts were guaranteed. I should not have to pay for this service due to another faulty handle that they replaced. I never expect to open my car door and cut my hand nor should I have to wrap my door handle as they suggested. I am so upset over this and will never purchase another Hyundai and even have my car serviced there again. All I am asking is for Hyundai to take responsibility and replace this handle with one that will not chip.

6 Door problem

Failure Date: 06/03/2010

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.

7 Door problem

Failure Date: 07/05/2008

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.

8 Door problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2007

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.

9 Door problem

Failure Date: 10/02/2006

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.


Other Structure related problems of the 2003 Hyundai Sonata


Safety Ratings of Sonata Cars
Fuel Economy of Sonata Vehicles
Sonata Service Bulletins
Sonata Safety Recalls
Sonata Defect Investigations