2003 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.7L

Summary:

Buy it, you'll love it

Faults:

Rotors have been replaced more frequently than normal.

Crystals in the radio readout are not working properly, making it hard to know what station you're on.

Starting to have transmission trouble at 145,000 miles.

General Comments:

I'm 6 foot three inches, and there is plenty of leg room for the driver.

Decent gas mileage on highway, about 27 MPG.

Car still looks good after 5 years, still very stylish.

Stock stereo has great sound.

Cruise control always holds your desired speed.

Air conditioner never serviced, and it's still as cold as day one.

Power sunroof is a great option, adds fun and functionality.

All driver controls are in very easy to reach.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd November, 2008

2003 Hyundai Sonata 2.1

Summary:

I won't buy another one

Faults:

I was told that at 60,000 miles my car would need to have the timing belt replaced to keep my warranty in force. Well, I had this done 2 years ago, and have had nothing but trouble since this work was done. Altogether, I have paid for my 2nd timing belt and had to have a 2nd set of serpentine belts, along with new plugs, and I'm sad to say, my car vibrates so bad when I stop at a stop light in gear, it's embarrassing...

If anyone has had this problem fixed, please tell what caused it..

General Comments:

I love the styling and handling, and it gets good gas mileage.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 2nd June, 2008

5th Jan 2010, 15:15

This engine is a "world" engine designed and developed by Mitsubishi with Chrysler and Hyundai, so the same in all the different car companies, in Chrysler you need not worry about belt change till 100,000, not sure why. This engine has TWO belts; one for the balance shaft to smooth the engine, and one for the double overhead cam, BOTH should be replaced, but you can go cheap and ignore the balance one. As with any precision dual overhead cam engine, the belt must be placed and tensioned exactly to specifications, or the engine will not run properly, be it a Mitsubishi Gallant, Dodge Stratus, or a Sonata.

2003 Hyundai Sonata V6 LX

Summary:

Won't' buy another one, that's for sure

Faults:

Paint Chipping door handles, constant brake service, hesitation when stopping, rumbling in wheel when braking.

General Comments:

I purchased my vehicle brand new and searched long for the color I wanted. Although I have had problems with the brakes and constant repairs I do feel most of it is due to my commute. The problem I have with my vehicle is the paint chipping off my outside door handles and inside. All four outside handles have chipped and it started two months after my warranty was up, and I barely use the back doors or passenger doors. Hyundai would not fix it at their expense because it was out of warranty. I did a consumer review check before purchasing the vehicle and did see a few write ups from buyers that had this problem, but I thought maybe out of the thousands of vehicles they sell that it was minimal. Well I was wrong. I have found a lot of people with this problem and I feel it is a manufacturer's defect. But trying to get anyone to cover the repair is a mute point.

I don't think I will purchase another one I will purchase a vehicle where the company stands behind customer satisfaction.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 11th February, 2008

7th Sep 2009, 18:30

While I had the same problem, I have nothing bad to say about the car. I absolutely love it and wish they had kept the 2003 style and had just added the dual exhausts. I will not buy a brand new Hyundai Sonata because I feel the style is too boxy. I now own a 2008 Hyundai Tuscon and once again, Hyundai has hit a real homerun!

5th Jan 2010, 15:25

If you buy an inexpensive car, these were thousands less than comparable models, and the main problem is paint chipping off door handles in 101,000 miles I'd be happy. There are things that can go wrong that are far more expensive than brakes and paint chips.