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 PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 29 |
| 1993 | 24 |
| 1994 | 76 |
| 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 | 314 |
| 2009 | 247 |
| 2010 | 378 |
| 2011 | 431 |
| 2012 | 649 |
| 2013 | 1307 |
| 2014 | 379 |
| 2015 | 258 |
| 2016 | 286 |
| 2017 | 759 |
| 2018 | 274 |
| 2019 | 242 |
| 2020 | 240 |
| 2021 | 128 |
| 2022 | 95 |
| 2023 | 90 |
| 2024 | 52 |
| 2025 | 20 |
| 2026 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
31% of complaints: air bags — 57 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20190614
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, 20140329
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, 20120802
19% of complaints: air bags — 34 distinct reports on file.
10% of complaints: air bags — 18 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WHILE DRIVING 35-45 MPH AND TURNING TO THE LEFT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH. SEAT BELT DIDN'T HOLD THE DRIVER, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS ISSUED.*AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20040315
WHILE DRIVING ON A RAINY DAY AT 50 MPH, THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN THE SPEED, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20040311
4% of complaints: seat belts — 8 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY4% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 7 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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. HOWEVER
Remedy: THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR WILL BE REPROGRAMMED.
Campaign 03V322000 — check if this car was fixed
POST-CRASH FUEL TANK LEAK
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 BETWE
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 1-800-633-51
Campaign 04V208000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CLAMP
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 RICO
Campaign 04V370000 — check if this car was fixed
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) AS
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 CO
Campaign 05V395000 — check if this car was fixed
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) AS
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 C
Campaign 05V479000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2004 Hyundai Elantra — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (57 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (34 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (18 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 03V322000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V208000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V370000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V395000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V479000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
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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 31% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Hyundai Elantra have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.