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
Air bags, Dec 25, 2011
8 YR. LONG CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH AIR BAG LIGHT COMING ON... BEST DESCRIPTION WE GET IS A HARNESS ISSUE UNDER PASSENGER FRONT SEAT... LAST EPISODE 12/19/11 DEALER ADVISED HYUNDAI NO LONGER HAS REPLACEMENTS PARTS FOR THIS SYSTEM... THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THESE MODELS STILL IN SERVICE HOW CAN MFG. NOT CONTINUE TO PROVIDE CRITICAL SAFETY PART... AS OF THIS MOMENT THE LIGHT IS OFF BUT GIVEN THE HISTORY THE DEALER SAID HE EXPECTS IT TO BE BACK ON SOON ... *TR
Air bags, Dec 6, 2011, crash
WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON DECEMBER 04 2011. I HAD SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE DUE TO SOMEONE RUNNING A STOP SIGN. HOWEVER, MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON FRONT!! ONLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND WAS NOT FULL OPEN , VERY CONCERN ON SAFETY! *TR
Air bags, Jul 2, 2011
AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. HAS BEEN IN TO DEALER AND OTHER MECHANICS SEVERAL TIMES AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN BLAMED ON UNDER THE SEAT ISSUES. WE HAVE SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS GETTING CONNECTIONS CLEANED AND WIRES REINFORCED. LIGHT ON AGAIN AND NOW WE HAVE BEEN QUOTED >$2000 TO REPLACE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT (HIGH RESISTANCE NOTED). NOT SURE I TRUST THE DIAGNOSIS OR BELIEVE THE SOLUTION. AM HESITANT TO INVEST ANY MORE IN THIS ISSUE WHEN THEY NEVER SEEM TO FIX IT. WOULD LIKE TO HAVE FUNCTIONING AIRBAGS. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT REQUIRE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR AS THE AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED AND THE CAR IS RELATIVELY NEW. I URGE AN INVESTIGATION OF THIS ISSUE WHICH SEEMS TO HAVE RECALL MERIT. *TR
Air bags, Mar 5, 2011
THE 'AIRBAG ON' SIGN HAS BEEN ON FOR A WHILE. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I TRIED TO ALERT THE MANUFACTURER. THEY DO NOT WANT TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY SINCE THE RECENT RECALL EXCLUDES CARS MANUFACTURED IN 2004, AND THE CAR IS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY PERIOD AS WELL. I PUT AN INTERNET SEARCH AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINS ON HYUNDAI SONATA AIRBAG ISSUES.
Air bags, Feb 10, 2011
AIRBAG LIGHT STAY ON AND DEALERSHIP CLAIMS NOT A WARRANTY OR RECALL ISSUE. LIGHT IS STILL ON AND WIFE AND KIDS ARE IN VEHICLE. POSSIBLE DEATH COULD OCCUR IF AIRBAG FAILS. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Equipment, Dec 19, 2010
AIRBAG SAFETY LIGHT. *TR
Air bags, Jul 28, 2010
I ENTERED MY CAR AND STARTED UP THE IGNITION AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON. MY CAR IS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. I TOOK MY CAR TO A MECHANIC AND HE USED A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL IN AN ATTEMPT TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE TOOL REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, HOWEVER, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS STILL ON. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL HYUNDAI REPAIR DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THE PPD SENSOR WAS BAD. MY CAR HAS 53, 965 MILES ON IT. I WAS CHARGED $375 TO REPLACE THE PPD SENSOR. WHEN I WENT ONLINE TO READ ABOUT THE SENSOR, I LEARNED IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE SONATA AND ELANTRA MODELS MANUFACTURED BY HYUNDAI MOTOR CO. *TR
Air bags, Jan 26, 2010
AIR BAG LIGHT. PLEASE HELP ,I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO YOU BEFORE. MY AIR BAGS ARE DEFECTED. THE DEALER SUPPOSE TO HAD REPAIRED THEM AT LEAST 7 TIMES. EVERYTHING HAS BEEN REPLACED EXCEPT THE AIR BAGS ITSELF. I CAN NOT GET MY CAR INSPECTED BECAUSE OF THIS.SOMEBODY IS GOING TO DIE BECAUSE OF THE AIRBAGS.*TR
Air bags, Jul 15, 2009
AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN DRIVING CAR. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE ITS OVER FIVE YEARS OLD AND HAS 53,704, IS THIS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE? AND COVERED BY LAW? *TR
Air bags, Jun 30, 2009, crash
WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON JUNE 21, 2009. I HAD SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE DUE TO SOMEONE RUNNING A STOP SIGN. HOWEVER, MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON THE PASSENGER OR DRIVER SIDE. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Jun 12, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED IN HER VEHICLE AND DOES NOT TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS LOOSE OR A SHORTAGE WAS PRESENT. HYUNDAI STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,700.
Air bags, May 15, 2009
THERE IS SOMETHING REALLY WRONG WITH THE AIR BAGS WITH THE 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. IF YOU READ THE COMPLAINTS, I HAD THE MOST PROBLEMS. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR A RECALL., FOR SOMEONE TO LOSE THEIR LIFE. DO THE RIGHT THING BECAUSE PEOPLE LIVES DEPEND ON YOU. *TR
Air bags, Nov 14, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS WERE COMPLETELY SMASHED IN AND THE FRAME WAS BENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES TO HER LEFT SHOULDER. THE PASSENGERS IN THE OTHER VEHICLE WERE UNINJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS OPERATED IN THE MANNER THEY WERE DESIGNED; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,000.
Air bags, Aug 25, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE IS STILL OCCURRING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Air bags, Aug 18, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED ON, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A MALFUNCTION WITH THE SENSOR DEVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE, BUT NO REMEDY WAS FOUND. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Air bags, Jun 4, 2006, crash
I WAS GOING ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR AND REAR ENDED A ANOTHER VEHICLE AND MY DRIVERS AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS NOT HURT, BUT MY DAUGHTER IN THE BACK SEAT WAS. *NM
Air bags, Apr 17, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BROAD SIDED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BETWEEN BOTH DOORS. BOTH PASSENGERS OF THE VEHICLE WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS AND RECEIVED ONLY MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE SCENE. THE POLICE WERE AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT AND PROVIDED A WRITTEN REPORT; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. UPDATED 5/2/2006- *NM
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 2, 2005, crash
DT: THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. UPON IMPACT, FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO, THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN THE CONTACT AND HER PASSENGER IN THE SEATS. THE CONTACT WAS THROWN INTO THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THE PASSENGER HIT THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES AND BROKEN BONES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN, AND AN INSURANCE REPORT WAS FILED. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.*AK UPDATED 2/21/2006 - *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 20, 2004, crash
CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BECAME UNATTACHED IN THE COLLISION.*AK THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL BY CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Air bags, Nov 8, 2004, crash
2004 HYUNDAI SONATA WAS INVOLVED IN A SEVERE SIDE IMPACT, STRUCK BY A DODGE DURANGO. IMPACT WAS CENTERED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND RESULTED IN AN APPROXIMYATE 1 FOOT OF INTRUSION. MAX CRUSH OCCURRED JUST FORWARD OF THE B-PILLAR. B-PILLAR WAS PUSHED INTO THE SEAT AND THE LEADING EDGE OF THE DOOR WAS PUSHED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE HEAD/THORAX BAG LOCATED IN THE DRIVERS SEAT DID NOT DEPLOY. NHTSA SHOULD INSPECT THIS TO SEE WHY THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE TYPE OF IMPACT IN WHICH THE SIDE AIR BAGS WERE DESIGNED FOR. DRIVER SUSTAINED NUMEROUS FRACTURES TO THE PELVIC REGION, A LACERATED SPLEEN THAT RESULTED IN 2 SURGERIES AND ALMOST 2 MONTHS OF HOSPITALIZATION, MOST OF IT IN INTENSIVE CARE AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT.*AK
Air bags, Sep 14, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING ON I97, A VW CABRIOLET CHANGED FROM 2/3 OF EXIT TO RIGHT TO PULLING DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME PERPENDICULAR. I VEER TO LEFT, JAMMED ON BRAKES BUT HIT HIS DRIVER SIDE DOOR (ORIGIN SPEED 50-55 MPH) THEN CONTINUUED INTO A STEEL GUARDRAIL HEAD ON, THEN PULLED OUT MOST OF THE RAIL AND JOLTED TO A STOP AT AN ANGLE ABOVE A DROP OFF. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NOT FRONT OR SIDE AIRBAGS. WE WERE LUCKY TO WALK AWAY WITH BRUISES, CUTS, AND EMOTIONAL TRAUMA. ANOTHER FAMILY MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY