2004 Hyundai Elantra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 182 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 19th highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 24 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 26 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bagsOct 17, 2005
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 AN ADULT. THIS MAY OCCUR IF THE CRS IS INSTALLED AFTER AN ADULT HAS BEEN SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. IF THERE HAS NOT BEEN A 'KEY ON' ' KEY OFF' CYCLE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT EMPTY PRIOR TO INSTALLATION OF THE CRS.
THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF A CRS AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG OR SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT.
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 CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.
Campaign 05V479000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsSep 12, 2005
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 AN ADULT. THIS MAY OCCUR IF THE CRS IS INSTALLED AFTER AN ADULT HAS BEEN SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. IF THERE HAS NOT BEEN A 'KEY ON' ' KEY OFF' CYCLE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT EMPTY PRIOR TO INSTALLATION OF THE CRS.
THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF A CRS AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG OR SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT.
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 CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 05V395000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsJul 30, 2004
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 THAT IS LOCATED NEAR THE FUEL TANK MAY NOT BE POSITIONED PROPERLY AND COULD CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE.
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
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 AT 1-800-981-0188.
Campaign 04V370000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsMay 3, 2004
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 BETWEEN A VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EAR AND THE FUEL TANK. THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EAR WAS FOUND TO BE MISPOSITIONED AND FACING TOWARD THE FUEL TANK.
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE COULD CAUSE THE MISPOSITIONED CLAMP TO PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 04V208000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsAug 26, 2003
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, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR MAY INCORRECTLY INTERPRET THAT A SEATED ADULT IS AN INFANT SEAT AND DEACTIVATE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IF SOMEONE HEAVIER THAN 56.4 POUNDS WHO IS SEATED WITH ONE LEG RESTING ON THE OUTBOARD OR INBOARD EDGE OF THE SEAT; WITH LEGS SPREAD; OR POSITIONED OFF-CENTER TOWARD THE CENTER CONSOLE AND WITH HIS OR HER ARM LEANING ON THE CONSOLE.
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER.
THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR WILL BE REPROGRAMMED.
Campaign 03V322000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
114 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Oct 12, 2004
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS SUPPOSED TO BE ACTIVATED WHEN A PASSENGER >56.4 POUNDS IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN MY DAUGHTER (ABOUT 110 POUNDS) IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE INDICATOR LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG GOES ON AND OFF WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING, AND SHE IS NOT MOVING. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AND I HAVE CONTACTED THEIR DISTRICT OFFICE AND I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. I AM WORRIED THAT I WILL HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG WILL NOT BE ACTIVATED. *NM
Air bags, Oct 6, 2004
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR FAILED TO FUNCTION. WHEN A PASSENGER WHO WEIGHT MORE THAT THE CLASSIFIED 50 LBS WAS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR STILL READ OFF. DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE.*AK
Air bags, Sep 24, 2004
THE AIR BAG SENSOR WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN SITTING IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION WITH FEET PLACED FLAT NEAR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THE SENSOR WILL ACTIVATE. HOWEVER, IF CONSUMER MOVES FEET THE SENSOR WILL DEACTIVATE, AND THE LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE. *AK
Air bags, Sep 24, 2004
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY APARTMENT'S PARKING LOT. MY WIFE AND I ENTERED THE VEHICLE. I STARTED THE ENGINE. WE BOTH BUCKLED OUR SEATBELTS AND I TOOK OFF THE PARKING BRAKE. AS I WAS REACHING FOR THE GEARSHIFT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING.*AK
Air bags, Sep 22, 2004
PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. WHEN AN OCCUPANT WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS OFF. THIS SHOULD ONLY OCCUR IN THE UNOCCUPIED SEAT. RECALL O3V322000 WAS ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Air bags, Sep 20, 2004
CONSUMER'S WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT THING THAT WAS DESCRIBED ON THE INTERNET ONLY FOR RENT A CAR BUSINESS. FRONT AIR BAG SENSOR INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING THAT NO ONE WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS SOMEONE THERE.*AK
Air bags, Sep 15, 2004
2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, WHEN A PASSENGER IS RIDING THE LIGHT ON THE DASH KEEPS COMMING ON WITH THE MESSAGE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" THE CAR WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER, AND HE SAYS THE PERSON IS NOT HEAVY ENOUGH FOR THE SEAT SENSOR TO PICK UP. THE PERSON WEIGHS 140-155 POUNDS. WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY.*AK
Air bags, Sep 14, 2004
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NOT ACTIVATED WHEN MY WIFE OF 120# IS SEATED IN MY 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THIS HAS OCCURRED FROM THE TIME I ACQUIRED THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE CAR IN AND WAS GIVEN THE RUN-AROUND IN THAT THERE WAS NOT A FIX. ON YOUR SITE YOU STATE THAT THE REMEDY IS A RE-PROGRAMING BY THE DEALER. THE MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR AT THE DEALER HAS NOT HEARD OF THAT. I ACQUIRED THIS CAR AS A RESULT OF MY 2001 ELANTRA BEING TOTALED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT ACTIVATED BOTH OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS, WHICH I CONSIDER PREVENTED SERIOUS INJURY TO ME AND MY WIFE. MY LAST CONVERSATION WITH THE SUPERVISOR AT THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS A POSIBLE FIX IN THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WOULD BE MODIFIED TO ENABLE DEPLOYMENT AT ALL TIMES. HE ALSO STATED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO SIGN A WAIVER IF THEY WERE TO DO SO. THIS IS BEYOND ME. I DON'T KNOW HOW ANYONE COULD DESIGN A SYSTEM WITHOUT THE MEANS TO CALIBRATE IT FOR PEOPLE WITH NARROW REARS. THE AIR BAG SENSOR IS SUPPOSED TO BE ENABLED FOR WEIGHTS GREATER THAT 56# AS STATED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. A 60# INDIVIDUAL IS NOT VERY WIDE.
Air bags, Sep 10, 2004
PASSENGER'S ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILED TO WORK AND SHUT OFF WHEN AN ADULT SAT IN THE SEAT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Air bags, Sep 8, 2004
FRONTAL AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN A PASSENGER WAS SEATED. ALSO, SENSOR FAILED TO ACTIVATE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED
Air bags, Aug 28, 2004
I BOUGHT A NEW HYUNDAI ELENTRA IN JUNE 20TH, 2004. EVERY SINCE I GOT IT, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR CONTROL SYSTEM HAS NOT WORKED. I AM A FULLY GROWN ADULT FEMALE WHO WEIGHS 128LBS. WHEN I AM SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS TURNED OFF MEANING THAT IT WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR INTO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE WITH NO RESULTS. HYUNDAI KEEPS TELLING ME THAT THE SENSOR SYSTEM IS WORKING PROPERLY AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE DEALER HOWEVER, ADMITS THAT THEY REALIZE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM BUT THAT THEY CAN NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE UNLESS HYUNDAI AMERICA GIVES THEM PERMISSION. THIS ISSUE REALLY CONCERNS ME BECAUSE IT IS A REAL SAFETY PROBLEM THAT COULD LEAD TO DEATHS. PLEASE NOTE THAT EVERYTIME SOMEONE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF THE VEHICLE, THE SENSOR HAS FAILED. *JB
Air bags, Aug 24, 2004
WHEN AN ADULT SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT ADVANCED AIR BAG WOULD SHUT OFF. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Air bags, Aug 19, 2004
THE RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. THE DEALER SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT IF A PERSON'S WEIGHT WAS OVER 50 LBS. THE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON AS LONG AS THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. *JB
Air bags, Aug 6, 2004
MY HUSBAND BOUGHT A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA END OF FEBRUARY AND SINCE THEN WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR. WHEN I AM SITTING IN THE SEAT (I WEIGH APPROX 120 LBS) THE LIGHT INDICATING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF IS ILLUMINATED 99% OF THE TIME. WHEN WE NOTICED IT I TRIED TO BE AWARE OF THE WAY I WAS SITTING AND ALSO HAD OTHERS SIT THERE INSTEAD OF ME. WHEN READING THE OWNERS MANUAL ABOUT THE SENSOR WEIGHT BEING 56 LBS AND NOTICING THE PROBLEM PERSISITING NO MATTER HOW STILL OR CORRECT I SAT WE CALLED THE DEALER. THE FIRST TIME THEY PHYSICALLY LOOKED AT IT TO "DIAGNOSE" THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS OK (6/04) AND I WASN'T SITTING RIGHT; OF COURSE IT STILL OCCURED. SO WE HAD TO GO DOWN AND DEMONSTRATE THAT I SAT IN THE SEAT EXACTLY LIKE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO AND THE LIGHT NEVER WENT OFF. THIS PROMPTED THEM TO ORDER A NEW SENSOR. IT TOOK APPROX 40 DAYS FOR THE PART TO ARRIVE AND WE JUST RECEIVED THE VEHICLE BACK YESTERDAY AND IT IS STILL MALFUNCTIONING.*AK
Air bags, Aug 4, 2004
I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 ELANTRA IN APRIL 2004. AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR AND HAVING DRIVEN IT FOR A FEW MILES, I REALIZED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS DISABLED. SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THE CAR, I HAVE RIDDEN IN THE PASSENGER SEAT SEVERAL TIMES, AND REGARDLESS OF THE POSITION, THE AIRBAG REMAINS DISABLED. WHEN THE ODOMETER READ 1,000 MILES, I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND I REQUESTED A CHECK OF THE PASSENGERS AIRBAG SENSOR. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR, I WAS TOLD THAT EVERYTHING LOOKED NORMAL; HOWEVER, THE SERVICE MANAGER EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THIS FEATURE WAS PART OF THE DESIGN FOR THE NEW 2004 MODEL. HE OFFERED ME TO TEST DRIVE A BRAND-NEW ELANTRA TO COMPARE IT TO MINE. THE OTHER CAR HAD THE SAME DESIGN FLAW. I AM DISAPPOINTED AND FRUSTRATED. I DO NOT CONSIDER THE CAR TO BE SAFE. ON JULY 14/04 I SENT A LETTER TO THE DEALER AND TO THIS DATE I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY THEM. *AK
Air bags, Jul 30, 2004
WHILE DRIVING THE ADVANCE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, LETTING THE CONSUMER KNOW THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE TURNED OFF. THIS CAUSED A PROBLEM BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS WERE OFF WHEN THEY MAY HAVE BEEN NEEDED TO BE ON. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK *NM
Air bags, Jul 27, 2004
2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN MAY OF 2004. SINCE THEN ON TWO OCCASIONS WITH ADULTS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT HAS COME ON. THE HYUNDAI DEALER SAYS THEY CAN'T RECREATE IT AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. *AK
Air bags, Jul 26, 2004
THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHILE SOMEONE WAS OCCUPYING THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIMES, AND MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK TWO MECHANICS HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE, WITH THE CONSUMERS WIFE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, AS THE LIGHT STAYED ON, GOES OFF, THEN HAD COME ON AGAIN. THE PROBLEM HAVE NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *SC
Air bags, Jun 30, 2004
NUMEROUS INCIDENTS WHERE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR DOES NOT WORK . IT IS DEFECTIVE. STILL DOES NOT WORK. DEALER, HYUNDAI MANUFACTURER, WERE NOTIFIED AND CLAIMED THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING RELATED TO THIS. WAS IN REPAIR SHOP TWICE. NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT THIS. CAR IS UNSAFE. PASSENGER IS AT GREAT RISK OR SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH DUE TO AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING WHILE ADULT IS IN PASSENGER SEAT. NO ONE RETURNS OUR CALLS. WE MADE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO NO AVAIL.*AK
Air bags, Jun 29, 2004
I HAVE A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH 1500 MILES. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION IS NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THE ELANTRA HAS A DASHBOARD LIGHT BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER THAT LITES UP WHEN NOBODY IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND TURNS OFF WHEN A PASSENGER 50 POUNDS OR MORE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. WHILE SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT (I.E., MY WIFE-110 POUNDS) THE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES DURING A TRIP. IT HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED AND STILL DOES NOT WORK. FREEHOLD OF HYUNDAI OF FREEHOLD, NJ SAID TO CONTACT THEIR HEADQUARTERS, THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DO.
Air bags, Jun 24, 2004
WHILE DRIVING PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. AS A RESULT AIR BAGS BECAME INOPERATIVE, AND WOULDN'T DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. FINALLY, TECHNICIAN URGED THE CONSUMER NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THAT LIGHT, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTED.*AK
Air bags, Jun 23, 2004
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC CLAIMED THAT VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED. *AK
Air bags, Jun 23, 2004
SINCE WE GOT THE 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IN DECEMBER 2003, THERE HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT REMAINING ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A PERSON SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT.*AK
Air bags, May 19, 2004
PASSENGER AIR BAG INTERMITTENLY IS ENABLED/DIABLED WITH PROPER EIGHT PASSENGER SITTING PROPERLY IN THE SEAT. *AK
Air bags, May 11, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC PLACED THE VEHICLE ON DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. THEN, DETERMINED THAT COMPUTER REGISTERED THE VEHICLE AS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AND PROBLEM COULD NOT BE RESOLVED.*AK