KnownCarProblemsHome › Hyundai › Sonata › 2004
2004 Hyundai Sonata Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 202 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Hyundai Sonata, most often about the suspension (28% of complaints, typically around 105,000 miles). It is 17th of 27 Sonata model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2004 Hyundai Sonata problems
Suspension
56 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 105,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
Severe rust affecting undercarriage. Vehicle was part of recall for sub frame assembly and had to have entire engine cradle replaced. Remaining sections of undercarriage not included in recall, fuel lines, brake lines, suspension are also severely corroded as well as large portions of the passenger rear side body…
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while having a routine check at an independent mechanic, the mechanic noticed the front sub frame was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer superior Hyundai north 5665 dixie hwy, fairfield, oh 45014…
Body and structure
47 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 98,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The car was parked in a residential parking area. It had been backed into the space. After starting the car and putting the transmission in drive, the car accelerated uncontrollably. This occurred so quickly the driver was unable to control the vehicle. Brakes did not stop the vehicle. It appeared that the accelerator…
The frame to the car has a hole rusted thru the lower control arm bolt and is no longer drivable. The car was stranded on the highway and someone could have been killed Hyundai says its not covered under the recall but its the exact same problem as all the rest.
Air bags
46 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Was in a car accident on june 21, 2009. I had significant front end damage to my vehicle due to someone running a stop sign. However, my airbags did not deploy on the passenger or driver side.
Airbag light stays on. Has been in to dealer and other mechanics several times and has always been blamed on under the seat issues. We have spent several hundred dollars getting connections cleaned and wires reinforced. Light on again and now we have been quoted >$2000 to replace airbag assembly front passenger seat…
Electrical
17 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 98,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, horn.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The wires under the hood were melting in the climate control assembly. This is the second time that the climate control assembly has been replaced. As a result, the insulation is melting from the wires and causing them to become bare. The current mileage was 136,000 and failure…
Drove car 3 miles from point a to point b. It was parked at point b for approx 45 minutes. Then driven 300ft to point c. When I got out of the car, I smelled something unusual but I thought it was the auto shop next door. When I went into the store, an employee looked through the glass window and shouted "someone's…
Brakes
16 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, supply.
Backing into the garage, my foot on brake, the engine suddenly revved to high RPM, the car shot backwards, propelling a heavy rubber mat on which the car is normally parked out of the garage and into the driveway. The vehicle then impacted and crashed through the rear garage wall before coming to a stop. I managed to…
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed to the floor but the brakes failed. The vehicle stopped when the emergency brake was applied. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the hydraulic rear brake line…
Wheels and tires
15 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 126,000 miles. Parts named most often: hub, rim.
I was driving at 35 MPH on himilaya &came to a slight curve in the road when all of a sudden my car pulled hard to the left almost hitting the car in the left lane next to me, it dropped to the ground and I heard a very loud scraping noise.I got out of the vehicle to find the front passenger side tire completely…
The right side of the engine cradle broke (due to corrosion); the result of this broke the right front half axle, and detroyed right front tire.
Steering
13 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 132,000 miles.
The right side of the engine cradle broke (due to corrosion); the result of this broke the right front half axle, and detroyed right front tire.
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance due to steering issues and front end noise an independent mechanic diagnosed that there was extensive rust and corrosion concerning the front cradle frame near the front passenger side tire and near the concentrix brake…
Doors and locks
12 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 58,500 miles. Parts named most often: doors.
I have a 2004 Hyundai Sonata - same problem as with the 2002-2003 listed below - this should not have been closed. Recall campaign 09v171000 has 1 related investigation(s) NHTSA action number: pe08071 vehicle make / model: model year(s): Hyundai / Sonata 2002 manufacturer: Hyundai motor company component…
Emergency flashers began flashing for no apparent reason and would not be turned off. Then trying to use the keyless entry door opener, the locks began locking and unlocking. When the car was running this stopped. We took it to the dealer and they replaced the etac module, then the entire fuse box. After returning…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Hyundai Sonata recalls
Suspension
Risk: If that happens, the vehicle may lose drive power to the wheels, and the front wheel may make contact with the fender or wheel well, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will measure the thickness of the front sub-frame and inspect the front sub-frame for corrosion damage and, if necessary, the front sub-frame will be replaced with a new sub-frame that incorporates additional holes in the upper and lower panels. If the front sub-frame does not require replacement, the dealer will add drainage holes to the sub-frame and will treat the sub-frame with rust-proofing material to stop the corrosion process. This procedure will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during april 2009. Owners may contact the hyundai customer assistance ce
Full defect summary
Hyundai is recalling 188,282 my 2001-2004 sonata and my 2001-2004 xg300 and xg350 vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. Road salt applied in these jurisdictions during the winter months may result in progressive, internal corrosion of the front sub-frame on the vehicles, and may result in thinning or perforation of the sub-frame steel. The corrosion is frequently visible and often discovered during inspection or routine maintenance, and owners may also hear noises or notice tire misalignment and steering pull. If these signals are undetected or unheeded, the corrosion may progress and the forward mounting of the lo
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Front sub-frame corrosion
Summary
In a letter dated april 14, 2009, hyundai-kia america technical center, inc (hyundai) notified NHTSA that hyundaiis conducting a safety recall of model year (my) 1999 through 2004 hyundai sonata vehicles manufactured prior to november 20, 2003 that are registered and operated in the following salt belt states and the district of columbia: connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin.hyundai is recalling the vehicles to remedy a condition where internal corrosion of the front subframe may lead to separation of the lower
Questions about the 2004 Hyundai Sonata
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Hyundai Sonata?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (56 complaints, typically around 105,000 miles); body and structure (47 complaints, typically around 98,000 miles); air bags (46 complaints, typically around 74,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Hyundai Sonata have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 16, 2009 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Hyundai Sonata?
- It is 17th of 27 Sonata model years by number of complaints, with 202 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.