Two problems related to noises during shifting 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.
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.
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.
| Automatic Transmission problems | |
| Noises During Shifting problems | |
| Power Train problems | |
| Manual Transmission problems | |
| Transmission Fluid Leaking problems |