2004 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 202 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 17th highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 22 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 32 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
SuspensionApr 16, 2009
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 LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY DETACH FROM THE SUB-FRAME.
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.
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 CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 09V124000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
46 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Nov 30, 2023, crash
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated her fiance was driving 20-25 MPH on a steep hill with her in the front passenger's side seat. The contact stated that her fiance depressed the brake pedal to come to a complete stop at the stop sign, but the brake pedal went down to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact's fiance veered to the left and intentionally hit a telephone pole to avoid crashing into a parked vehicle, and to prevent a more severe accident from occurring as the road was significantly steep. The brake warning light was illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a seatbelt mark. The contact's fiance was not wearing a seatbelt and hit his head against the windshield. The contact's fiance sustained a concussion, a laceration on the chin, a chipped front left upper tooth and bruises on the bottom teeth. The ambulance transported both the contact and her fiance to the hospital, where they received medical assistance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.
Air bags, Feb 3, 2023
Air Bag autolight is on.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Apr 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated and the fog lights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to the dealer. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Apr 27, 2019
SUBFRAME
Air bags, Mar 20, 2019
THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT HAS GONE ON AND IS ALWAYS ON AT JUST 117,780 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS INFORMED ME THAT WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THIS HAS DISABLED ALL MY CAR AIRBAGS. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE RED AIR BAG LIGHT. I ASKED MY PASSENGER TO READ ABOUT THIS IN MY USER MANUAL WHILE DRIVING.
Air bags, Aug 8, 2017
I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEING ON AND A COWORKER HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH HERS. WITH THE LIGHT BEING ON IT PREVENTS ME FROM GETTING AN INSPECTION STICKER IN MY STATE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AND THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS ON NEWER SONATAS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS.
Air bags, Jun 22, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO ANY TIME TOWING LOT IN LEWISTON, MAINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Air bags, May 11, 2017
I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA AND AIR BAG LIGHT SUDDENLY WENT ON THEN OFF. THEN IT WENT BACK ON A FEW MINUTES LATER AND HAS BEEN ON FOR 2 YEARS NOW.
Air bags, Jan 12, 2017, crash, fire
MY FOOT SLIDE OFF THE BREAK, AND HIT MY VAN IN THE BACK BUMPER IN MY DRIVEWAY AND TWO WEEKS LATER MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND NEVER WENT OFF. AT MY HOME, NO REPORTS, OR DAMAGE OTHER THEM CUT ON MY BUMPER DUE TO THE HAUL ON THE VAN.
Air bags, Oct 1, 2016
10-01-2016 AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON,WHILE STATIONARY AND STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING.
Air bags, Sep 16, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. I AM TOLD THAT IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, IT WILL COST NEARLY 2300 DOLLARS SINCE THE PASSENGER SEAT MUST BE REPLACED
Air bags, Jul 5, 2016
MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I WAS DRIVING, THE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF, UNTIL I TURN THE CAR OFF.
Air bags, May 22, 2016
AIR BAG LIKE ON
Air bags, Apr 9, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND CAN'T BE CLEARED.
Air bags, Jul 23, 2015, crash
MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER AT SOUTHTOWNE HYUNDAI IN RIVERDALE GEORGIA AND THEY DIDN'T CALL THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT MY CAR. MY CAR WAS HIT T-BONE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT HEAD LIGHT AND THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.I ASKED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO CALL BECAUSE MY AIRBAG LIGHT SHOULD NOT COME ON BY ITSELF. THE DEALER JUST WANTED ME TO PAY OVER $500.00 TO GET IT REPAIRED. I WANTED TO KNOW AT ANYTIME WAS THE AIRBAG MODEL FOR MY CAR RECALLED AND HYUNDAI KEPT IT A SECRET.THIS IS THE SECOND HYUNDAI I HAVE PURCHASED. I CALLED MY CAR MY JAGUAR.
Air bags, Apr 1, 2015
THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STARTED OUT INTERMITTENTLY FOR ABOUT 15 STARTS IT WAS OFF AND ON. THEN AROUND 03/11/2004 IT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. *TR
Air bags, Mar 27, 2015
AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. AN INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH 2014 SONATAS, BUT HYUNDAI HAS FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL. THERE IS, HOWEVER, A RECALL FOR THE 2013 SONATAS. DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL. I PURCHASED MY CAR EARLY IN 2004 YEAR. MANY PARTS ARE CARRYOVERS FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Jan 29, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Dec 31, 2014, crash
WE OWN A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA (109,000 MILES) WE HAD A FRONT END COLLISION WITH SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. ME AND MY WIFE SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE FOUND OUT ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE ARE FREQUENT COMPLAINTS IF THIS FAILURE AROUND THE NATION AND ALSO IN MANY HYUNDAI MODELS ACROSS MULTIPLE YEARS. WE ARE FILING THE COMPLAINT SINCE THE ERROR IS CRITICAL AND SEEMS TO BE SYSTEMIC IN HYUNDAI VEHICLES. WE DO NOT KNOW IF NHTSA HANDLES CARS THAT ARE OVER 100,000 MILES BUT WE FELT A COMPLAINT WAS WARRANTED SINCE THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE ERROR IS SO EXTREME. WE FEAR FOR OUR SAFETY WITH THIS VEHICLE NOW! BEING A DISABLED VETERAN, ON A FIXED INCOME, WE FIND IT DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT THAT HYUNDAI TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. ITS NOT EASY FOR US TO REPLACE THE CAR. *JS
Air bags, Jul 26, 2014
ALL OF SUDDEN THE AIR BAG ICON IS CONTINUOUSLY ON. ALL FUSES FOR AIR BAGS HAVE BEEN CHANGED AND PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THE COMPANY STATES THAT THEY HAVE NOT HEARD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THERE IS NO RECALL. BUT READING INTERNET BLOGS THERE APPEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES OCCUR ON THIS MODEL WHEN IT REACHES THE 100,000 MILE LIMIT. WHAT IS MY RECOURSE TO HAVE THEM CORRECT THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT FINANCIAL PROBLEM. THANKS *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Structure, Jul 12, 2014
MY WIFE SOMEHOW GOT HER FOOT CAUGHT IN HER SANDAL AND TRYING TO GET IT UNSTUCK HIT A CONCRETE LIGHT POLE. THE AIRBAG SHOT WHITE POWDER OUT ,LIGHT WENT ON TO SHOW AIR BAG WENT OFF BUT IT NEVER DEPLOYED. HAD IT BEEN A WORSE ACCIDENT FATAL INJURY COULD HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF FAULTY AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING YET SHOWING IT DID BY ALL SYMPTOMS SUCH AS THE LIGHT, WHITE POWDER AND THE SEAT BELT CANNOT BE MOVED AND WILL NOT OPERATE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NO MATTER IF UNDER WARRANTY OR NOT. *TR
Air bags, May 8, 2014
THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OUT. AFRAID TO CALL DEALER SINCE REPAIR COULD COST CLOSE TO $500.00. *TR
Air bags, Mar 13, 2014
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, CALLED THE DEALER TO ASK ABOUT A RECALL THEY SAID NONE WERE ISSUED, HOWEVER IT NEEDED TO GET LOOKED AT BECAUSE THERE COULD BE A DEFECT. AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE AIR BAGS COULD DEPLOY ON THEIR OWN AT ANY TIME OR NOT DEPLOY AT ALL IN AN ACCIDENT. THE COST TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM LOOKED AT WOULD BE AROUND $125.00 WHICH WOULD BE SUBTRACTED FROM THE COST OF THE REPAIR IF YOU CHOSE TO GET IT FIXED BY THE DEALER THE TOTAL COST COULD RUN AT LEAST $500.00 I WAS WONDERING IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Mar 16, 2013
THE AIR BAG LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON, AND HAS STAYED ON. LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN AN AIR BAG RECALL FOR THE 2003 SONATA. WE (ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS) ARE HOPING THAT ONE WILL BE ISSUED FOR THE 2004 MODEL, AS WELL. THANKS! *TR
Air bags, Service brakes, Feb 27, 2013, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CHAIN REACTION COLLISION ON I-10 INTERSTATE. MY VEHICLE RE-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND NEITHER THE DRIVER'S NOR THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. FRONT END DAMAGED AND INSURANCE HAS TOTALED MY CAR. BRAKES DID NOT SEEM TO STOP WITH SUFFICIENT FORCE. *TR