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: engine and engine cooling
11 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 25, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A CRANK SHAFT SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 11, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN SHE ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE STALLED FOLLOWED BY THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 20, 2010
SUDDEN ACCELERATION INCIDENT I AM THE SON OF THE CAR OWNER. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 8:30 AM ON JUNE 17, 2010, IN BETHESDA, MD. I WAS EXITING THE GIANT FOOD PARKING LOT AND STOPPED FOR TRAFFIC ALONG OLD GEORGETOWN ROAD. THE CAR STOPPED BUT THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN INCHED AHEAD. I PUSHED DOWN HARDER ON THE BRAKE; HEARD THE ENGINE RACING; SAW THE TACHOMETER GO PAST 6000 RPMS. I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING. I TURNED OFF THE CAR. I STARTED THE CAR AND THE SAME THING OCCURRED, THE TACHOMETER WENT PAST 6000 RPMS. I TURNED OFF THE CAR. I ROLLED THE CAR TO A PARKING SPACE. I CALLED MY WIFE. A FEW MINUTES PAST, AND I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN. THIS TIME IT OPERATED PROPERLY. I TOOK THE CAR TO FITZGERALD AUTO MALL THAT EVENING, FOR NEXT DAY SERVICE. THE TECHNICIAN REPORTED HEARING OF SUCH INCIDENTS WHEN "AFTER MARKET OIL FILTERS WERE USED ON BOTH HYUNDAI'S AND ON SUBARU'S." I RECENTLY HAD AN OIL CHANGE ON THAT CAR. THE GASKETS ARE APPARENTLY NOT THE SAME AS ON THE FACTORY OIL FILTERS. SO THE OIL AND FILTER WAS CHANGED. THEY ALSO FOUND A MIS-FIRE CODE IN THE COMPUTER. SO THE PLUGS AND WIRES WERE CHANGED. THERE WAS NO VACUUM LEAK CODE IN THE SYSTEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 24, 2008
CAR BROKE DOWN AT A LIGHT ON MY WAY TO WORK ON FRIDAY JUNE 6. IT WOULD NOT START BACK UP. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALER. THEY SAID THE CAR OVER HEATED. REPAIRS WERE MADE AND CAR WAS GIVEN BACK TO ME ON JUNE 11 OR 12. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON LESS THAN AN HOUR AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR. DEALER WAS CLOSED SO CALLED THEM THE NEXT DAY AND TOOK IT BACK. DEALER KEPT IT ANOTHER DAY OR TWO TO CHECK EVERYTHING OUT MADE SOME MINOR REPAIR AND GAVE IT BACK. ON SATURDAY JUNE 21, THE CAR OVER HEATED AGAIN AT AN OUT OF TOWN LOCATION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 20, 2008, crash
ON 11/26/07 THE CAR GOT OVERHEATED, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY, COOLANT LEAKED OUT, CAR TOWED IN. BRIDGEPORT KEY HYUNDAI REPLACED COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR ON 04/11/08 THE CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON, COOLANT LEAKED OUT, ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE BACK. THE CAR WAS TOWED IN, IT NEEDS ENGINE REPLACEMENT. WE BELIEVE THE COOLANT REPAIRS TO BE DEFECTIVE. DEALER DENIES OUR CLAIM AND BLAMES ENGINE FAILURE ON POOR MAINTENANCE. I HAVE READ A NUMBER OF REPORTS ABOUT HYUNDAI ENGINE STALLING/COOLANT LEAK. IN ADDITION ABS/TCS LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATING AND MAKING NOISE. CAR WOULDN'T STOP AS REQUESTED ESPECIALLY ON WET, ICY SURFACE. DEALER CANNOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM PLEASE INVESTIGATE BOTH DEFECTS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 1, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT COMPLETELY OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CONTACT NOTICED FLUID AND DEBRIS ON THE GROUND NEAR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE ENGINE SIZE, POWERTRAIN, AND # OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 17, 2005
DT: CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR VARIOUS RESAONS. AFTER GETTING OUT OF SHOP,THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH STALLING. WHILE DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFFIC THE STALLING BEGAN. . TODAY HOWEVER WHEN GOING THROUGH INTERSECTION VEHICLE STALLED, STOPPED AND LOST POWER, AND WAS ALMOST STRUCK FROM BEHIND. THE CAR DEALER WAS NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY AND WAS TOLD TO BRING CAR IN MONDAY BUT OWNER WAS PLANNING TO CALL MANUFACTURER TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS THROUGH DEALER TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED THERE BECAUSE CONSUMER FELT IT WAS NOT SAFE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AS OF YET INVOILVING THE STALLING. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 13, 2004
OIL FILTER GASKET WAS STUCK TO THE ENGINE CLOCK. AS A RESULT, A LEAK DEVELOPED, AND OIL BEGAN TO SPRAY ALL OVER THE VEHICLE, AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 17, 2004
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE TEN TIMES AND STILL COULD NOT PIN POINT THE PROBLEM. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 20, 2004
I WAS DRIVING A HYUDAI ELENTRA RENTAL CAR AND I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WITH THE CAR IN DRIVE AND MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND THE BRAKE WAS NOT HOLDING THE CAR BACK AND THE CAR WAS DRIFTING FORWARD A LITTLE INTO THE INTERSECTION. I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND YOU COULD HEAR THE ENGINE REVVING VERY FAST EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. I TOLD THE ATTENDANT WHEN I RETURNED THE RENTAL CAR THAT THE BRAKE WASN'T HOLDING THE CAR BACK AT A RED LIGHT, BUT TOLD HER THAT I DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. SHE SAID THAT SHE WOULD TAKE THE CAR OUT OF SERVICE TO BE CHECKED. THE FOLLOWING WEEK IN THE MARCH 9 USA TODAY THERE WAS AN ARTICLE REPORTING THAT SOME TOYOTA CAMRYS, CAMRY SOLARAS, AND LEXUS ES 300S SURGED FORWARD WITH NO REASON. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS WHAT OCCURRED IN THE HYUNDAI THAT I WAS DRIVING. I HAVE CALLED AVIS TO GIVE THEM THE CAR NUMBER THAT I WAS DRIVING SO THAT THEY CAN TAKE THE CAR IN TO BE CHECKED. I HAVE LISTED THE CAR BELOW AS A 2004 MODEL. I BELIEVE THAT IT WAS A 2004 BECAUSE IT WAS NEW AND HAD LOW MILEAGE. A QUESTION BELOW ASKS WHETHER IT HAD CRUISE CONTROL, BUT I DON'T KNOW. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 17, 2004
CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR...MY CAR HAS 650 MILES AND IS 2 WEEKS OLD. MY SECOND CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED THIS MORNING. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PART TO HAVE GO AS IT CAUSES THE VEHICLES ENGINE TO SUDDENLY STOP, LEAVING YOU COASTING WITHOUT POWER STEERING TO "HOPEFULLY" A SAFE PLACE TO WAIT FOR THE 10-15 MINUTES IT TAKES BEFORE YOUR CAR WILL START AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED NO LESS THAN 10 TIMES BETWEEN THE 2 SENSORS THAT I'VE HAD GO. EACH TIME I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER WITHIN 24 HRS OF MALFUNCTION. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FIRST ONE, BUT THEY WERE OUT OF STOCK THIS MORNING, NOW I HAVE TO DRIVE IT FOR ANOTHER 24 HRS IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION, THE LOANER VEHICLES WERE ALREADY IN USE. A SEARCH OF THE WEB TOLD ME THAT CRANKSHAFT SENSORS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM FOR HYUNDAI FOR MANY YEARS. THE DEALERSHIP WILL REPLACE IT AGAIN AT NO CHARGE. HAVING THIS HAPPEN IN A PLACE WHERE THERE IS NO BREAKDOWN LANE COULD BE LIFE THREATENING. *NM