2004 Hyundai Elantra
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 182
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2004
Opened by NHTSA
64% of complaints
Complaints per year
2004: 182 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 29 |
| 1993 | 24 |
| 1994 | 78 |
| 1995 | 112 |
| 1996 | 100 |
| 1997 | 115 |
| 1998 | 55 |
| 1999 | 128 |
| 2000 | 197 |
| 2001 | 315 |
| 2002 | 342 |
| 2003 | 234 |
| 2004 | 182 |
| 2005 | 137 |
| 2006 | 155 |
| 2007 | 266 |
| 2008 | 315 |
| 2009 | 253 |
| 2010 | 380 |
| 2011 | 433 |
| 2012 | 652 |
| 2013 | 1,312 |
| 2014 | 385 |
| 2015 | 262 |
| 2016 | 293 |
| 2017 | 769 |
| 2018 | 284 |
| 2019 | 251 |
| 2020 | 253 |
| 2021 | 132 |
| 2022 | 102 |
| 2023 | 100 |
| 2024 | 56 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
64% · 116 reportsMost commonly citing sensor/control module and frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicle 2004 Hyundai involved in accident on the street, this vehicle owner was belted when the accident occurred, the airbags deployed, this vehicle owner sustained severe injuries including fractured vertebrate of lumbar 1 and 2 and fractured...
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-06-14
From stop sign proceeded to cross intersection, was struck on front end of drivers side panel and bumper, spun around and hit again on driver back side panel and rear wheel, ripped half of the front bumper and crushed drivers front side against...
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-03-29
Also filed under Structure
The Elantra was stopped at a red light. The light turned green and when in the intersection was t-boned by a tractor tailor who ran the red light at est 25 MPH.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-02
Seat belts
7% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing rear/other and retractor.
Engine and engine cooling
6% · 11 reportsMost commonly citing engine and cooling system.
Service brakes
5% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Vehicle speed control
4% · 7 reportsSafety timeline
5 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
2003-08-12Air bags03V322000 On certain vehicles, if the front passenger seat is unoccupied or is occupied by someone lighter than 56.4 pounds, the passenger air bag is deactivated and will not deploy if a crash occurs.…
Remedy: The occupant classification sensor will be reprogrammed.
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I
2004-04-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-07-13 Post-crash fuel tank leak
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R
2004-05-24Fuel system, gasoline04V208000 During an insurance institute for highway safety (Iihs) offset frontal barrier impact test on certain passenger vehicles, fuel spillage occurred as a result of fuel tank damage caused by contact…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the position of the vapor tube hose clamp and correctly position the clamp, if necessary. Owner notification began on May 24, 2004. Owners should contact Hyundai at…
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2004-10-05Fuel system, gasoline04V370000 During an insurance institute for highway safety (Iihs) offset frontal barrier impact test, it was determined that fuel tan damage could occur. On certain passenger vehicles, a vapor tube hose…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the position of the vapor tube hose clamp ears and correctly position the clamp, if necessary. The recall began on October 5, 2004. Owners should contact Hyundai de puerto…
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2005-10-31Air bags05V395000 Certain vehicles equipped with an advanced air bag system. The occupant classification system (Ocs) installed in the right front seat of the vehicle may misclassify a child restraint seat (Crs)…
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the vehicle's ocs electronic control unit (ECU) to remove the feature that may cause the crs to be recognized as an adult. The recall began on October 31, 2005. Owners may…
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2005-11-15Air bags05V479000 Certain vehicles equipped with an advanced air bag system. The occupant classification system (Ocs) installed in the right front seat of the vehicle may misclassify a child restraint seat (Crs)…
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the vehicle's ocs electronic control unit (ECU) to remove the feature that may cause the crs to be recognized as an adult. The recall began on November 15, 2005. Owners may…
Buy-smart checklist
2004 Hyundai Elantra — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 116 reports on file for this year.
- Seat belts: 13 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 11 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 03V322000 · Air bags
- Recall 04V208000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 04V370000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 05V395000 · Air bags
- Recall 05V479000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2004 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Hyundai Elantra is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Hyundai Elantra?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 64% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2004 Hyundai Elantra have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.