2003 Hyundai Sonata GLS V6 from North America

Faults:

Have a 2003 Hyundai Sonata. Had problems with the windshield wipers bouncing across the windshield. Dealer replaced arm and motor.

Inside door handles are peeling resulting in sharp edges. Have cut my fingers a few times.

This car seems to "eat" my tires. Vehicle came with Michelin tires on it, and they didn't last more than 13,000 miles!!

The LED screen on my radio is all screwed up and is unreadable. Have to press on it so I can see what channel my radio is on. This went bad right after the 36,000 mile warranty.

Not sure if I'd buy another Hyundai or not.

Seem to be going through headlamps too often. I've replaced the bulbs 5 times within two years - both sides. Even use the "grease" that is suggested to be used.

Those bulbs are quite expensive!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th September, 2010

2003 Hyundai Sonata Base 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

It almost killed me!

Faults:

Car totally blew after 8 months.

From the start it always had this high pitch squeaking noise, I was told it was the serpentine belt, but I beg to differ.

The paint was already badly chipped on every single run of my handles.

It vibrated when idling, smoked when it was cold.

The steering wheel got stuck quite often.

Always seemed to be low on oil.

Alignment was AWFUL!

When I was driving on the hwy one day to school, it just stopped running and I had to be towed.

The timing belt snapped and severely damaged the engine. It was in pieces and would be $2000 to fix, regardless of the fact I just paid $2500 to fix it with a rebuilt engine! Instead of wasting the money, I just got a different car that is a 1993, but a THOUSAND times better performance wise.

Would not get another Hyundai unless it was a brand new model with a year warranty!

General Comments:

I loved the way the car looked, it was so cute! Reminded me of a Mercedes. Made me sad when it died =(

It was pretty, but I realized looks aren't everything. It was partially my fault for not putting oil in it often enough, but I also didn't know much about cars.

It only lasted 8 months, and I found out that the 2003 has an interference design. Didn't give me any mechanical problems really until it just totally died. Was very unexpected!

I wasn't going to spend 2k to have it repaired on a scrap yard engine with already 95k miles on it, not worth it.

I ended up getting a 1993 Nissan Altima, which isn't as pretty as my old Hyundai, but I got it for $1550 and it drives great! It's a GXE and I love the wood on the inside.

It drives fast, gets good gas milegage, and it only had 88k miles on it when I got it!

I'm constantly checking the oil and putting new in.

Hopefully this one will last longer!

I just wish Hyundais weren't such crappy cars. Can't really go wrong with Toyotas, Hondas, and Nissans though!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 11th May, 2010

11th May 2010, 15:09

The timing belt snapped after over 100,000 miles. Not the car's fault. Somebody should have told you or you should have read the manual that the belt needs to be changed every 60,000 miles. Plus you said you didn't change the oil enough. You can't blame the car for bad maintenence.

11th May 2010, 16:16

Where in here did the car almost kill you? It basically just sounds like your typical review of somebody who bought a used car with unrealistic expectations.

12th May 2010, 22:27

Hyundai doesn't make crappy cars! I had a 2002 Sonata for 3.5 years and almost abused it and it never had a problem. I bought it off lease with 55000 miles, and just a few months ago switched to a Santa Fe.

I'm sorry, but you need much more luck with a Nissan, specially considering their dealers...

1st Jan 2013, 18:19

Sounds like an abused/neglected car. Smoking? That's burning oil. Somebody hasn't been taking care of it.

Timing belts do need to be changed on them often, or else the engine will grenade. If the timing belt goes, good bye.

22nd Apr 2015, 05:09

You nailed it right on the head. I had thought the same thing, then read your comment.