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: electrical system
17 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 19, 2023
UNKNOWN, I recently purchased it from a dealership in Lemon Grove Cailfornia. Ever since I bought it,it has never had a catalytic converter and only one muffler. It is a 2.7L motor DOHC and requires 2 catalytic converters and dual exhaust due to the double overhead cam. It has cause motor oil into my engine block and has coughed my heater core. Also blown head gasket. I have hired certified ASE mechanics to replace parts and then I run into another problem.
Suspension, Electrical system, Feb 20, 2021
I ENTERED MY VIN NUMBER ON THE HAS BUDDY APP AND IT SAYS THAT I HAVE A RECALL FOR SUSPENSION BUT CALLED A DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT IT DOESN'T. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE WIRING TOO BECAUSE MY DOORS LOCK AT RANDOM TIMES MY SEAT GOES FORWARD AND BACK RANDOMLY MY SPEAKERS DON'T WORK. WHEN I HIT A BUMP JT FEELS LIKE MY TIRES ARE GONNA FALL OFF
Suspension, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 8, 2019
SUB FRAME ON FRONT PASSENGER RUSTED AND CORRODED. CAUSED DAMANGE TO CV AXLE ON SAME SIDE. CAUSED ALIGNMENT ISSUES ON FRONT END. CAUSES TIRES TO WEAR QUICKLY, WITHIN A WEEK. ANTI THEFT SYSTEM LOCKS THE CAR WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSES ALARM TO SOUND WHILE DRIVING AND MUST OPEN OTHER DOORS AND STOP DRIVING TO STOP THE ALARM FROM GOING OFF, HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS COME ON WHEN BRAKE IS PRESSED AND GO OFF WHEN BRAKE IS RELEASED BUT THIS PROBLEM ONLY HAPPENS WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT IN USE
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 27, 2019
LEAKING VALVE COVER IS ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK DOWN ONTO THE ALTERNATOR. CAR CAN BE STATIONARY OR RUNNING. MOST NOTABLE WHEN CAR ENGINE IS RUNNING. OIL LEAKING ONTO ALTERNATOR CAN CAUSE ALTERNATOR TO SHORT. ALTERNATOR FAILED AND CAR BATTERY COULD NOT CHARGE BATTERY. CAR DIED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND SHE HAD TO PULL QUICKLY OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.
Suspension, Power train, Electrical system, Apr 30, 2017
SUSPENSION FAILURE JULY 2016-BOTH ENGINE MOUNTS AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS FAILED. REPLACED 2016 JULY. APRIL 2017 BOTH ENGINE MOUNTS AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS FAILED AGAIN. IN ADDITION VIOLENT JERKING WHILE DRIVING,THEN LOSS OF POWER. USUALLY OCCURRED GOING UP HILLS,COMING OFF FROM MAKING A TURN OR DRIVING SPEEDS UNDER 25MPH.BRAKE LIGHTS REMAIN ON UNABLE TO INDICATE STOPPING TO OTHER CARS.UNABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE AND MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. BRAKE LIGHTS REMAIN ON WHETHER DRIVING OR IN PARK. JERKING DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN GEAR,BUT WHILE DRIVING SPEED DECREASES RAPIDLY AND CAR BECOMES DIFFICULT TO STEER. SUSPENSION FEELS LOSE IN ADDITION THERE ARE NOISES AS IF BOLTS ARE BROKEN. PER A RECALL SEARCH CAMPAIGN 089 IS OPEN MEANING UNDER BODY ISN'T COATED. UPON FURTHER READING OF THE CAMPAIGN SUSPENSION FAILURE CAN OCCUR AND OTHER ISSUES. UNSURE IF ALL RELATED,BUT THE BRAKE LIGHTS,AND JERKING OCCURRED THE SAME TIME AS SUSPENSION FAILED,WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED.HUGE SAFETY ISSUES FOR THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS AROUND,ESPECIALLY WHEN JERKING OCCURS. IT SHOULD BE NOTED,PER AN INTERNET SEARCH THESE ISSUES ARE KNOWN ISSUES WITH THIS MAKE MODEL AND YEAR. ALL ISSUES SEEN ONLINE HAPPEN WITH CARS AT OR AROUND THE 130,000 MILE MARK.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER BULBS ON FOUR OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/08/15*LJ
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.
Electrical system, Aug 22, 2014
THE HORN STARTED SOUNDING FOR NO REASON IN OUR DRIVEWAY. THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THAT THE HORN SWITCH IN THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY IS BROKEN AND IN THE CLOSED POSITION. THE PART COST IS A RIDICULOUS $1,000.00. ALL AIRBAG ASSEMBLIES IN ALL THE LOCAL WRECKING YARDS ALSO HAVE BROKEN HORN SWITCHES. HOW CAN THIS BE ALLOWED? THE HORN IS A VERY NECESSARY SAFETY DEVICE THAT SHOULD LAST THE ENTIRE LIFE OF A VEHICLE. WHY HASN'T A RECALL NOTICE BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS CONDITION? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Mar 5, 2014
I CALLED HYUNDAI REGARDING THE BRAKE LAMP RECALL ISSUE IN MY CAR. I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE OF MY BRAKE LAMPS. WHEN YOU DEPRESS THE BRAKES THE LAMPS ARE ALWAYS ILLUMINATED IT ONLY GOES OFF WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. THIS CAUSES SEVERAL PEOPLE TO MISTAKE IF I AM BRAKING OR NOT. I HAVE READ SEVERAL PEOPLES COMPLAINTS ON THE RECALL WEBSITE, AND ALL OF US ARE TOLD THAT " THE RECALL HAS NOT AFFECTED YOUR CAR" AFTER GIVING THEM THE VIN. WELL I SAY IT IS. I HAVE THE VERY PROBLEM SPOKE OF IN THE RECALL. SECOND THE RECALL DOES NOT SAY THE CAR MUST ALSO BE UNABLE TO COME OUT OF PARK. THERE ARE THREE SEPARATE ISSUES. I WANT THIS CAR LOOKED AT HOW CAN SEVERAL CARS IN DIFFERENT STATES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, WITH THE SAME YEAR CAR???? *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 15, 2012
EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON MY 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA BEGAN FLASHING FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF (IGNITION WAS OFF), THIS CONTINUED FOR 15-30 MINUTES FROM THE TIME IT WAS NOTICED (NEIGHBORS KNOCKED AT THE DOOR TO REPORT THAT THE FLASHERS HAD BEEN LEFT ON). THE OCCURRENCE REPEATED SEVERAL TIMES THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT AND THE NEXT DAY. ACCESSING THE VEHICLE USING THE KEYLESS ENTRY, THE DOORS RE-LOCKED THEMSELVES, AND THIS REPEATED EACH TIME I UNLOCKED THEM. THE FLASHERS STOPPED WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPEN OR THE CAR WAS TURNED ON, BUT WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE IN THE DASH (AT THE SAME RATE AS THE FLASHERS HAD BEEN FLASHING). WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AND THEY SAID IT IS THE EMERGENCY FLASHER 4-WAY SWITCH (PART #937903C000) -- WHICH IS ON NATIONAL BACK-ORDER FOR ONE MONTH! THIS PART IS APPARENTLY NOT COVERED ON THE GOLD PLUS PROTECTION PLAN! *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Equipment, Dec 19, 2010
AIRBAG SAFETY LIGHT. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Oct 14, 2010, crash
THE AC/HEATING ELECTRIC [FAN] CONTROL COMES ON WHEN IT WANTS TO BUT WILL NOT ACTIVATE WHEN TURNED ON. WHEN TAKEN TO A MECHANIC ON 3 OCCASIONS, IT ACTIVATES AND REMAINS ON FOR DAYS THEN STOPS AND WILL NOT COME ON AGAIN. MECHANICS DO NOT WANT TO WORK ON IT UNLESS IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. EVERYONE WANTS TO "INVESTIGATE" AND CHARGE ME ACCORDINGLY BUT NO ONE WANTS TO TELL ME THE ACTUAL PROBLEM. THIS HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR MANY MONTHS ON MY CAR, AS WELL AS OTHER HYUNDAI MODELS. THE UNRESOLVED SITUATION REMAINS DANGEROUS BECAUSE OF WINDOW FOGGING AND LACK OF AIR FLOW THROUGH THE VENT SYSTEM IN THE FRONT AND REAR. LAST WINTER A PARTIALLY FOGGED WINDOW, WHILE THE FAN WAS RUNNING, CONTRIBUTED TO AN ACCIDENT DURING A VERY HEAVY RAIN STORM. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 3, 2009
04 HYUNDAI HORN BLOWING ALL THE TIME. *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.
Electrical system, Sep 27, 2008, fire
DROVE CAR 3 MILES FROM POINT A TO POINT B. IT WAS PARKED AT POINT B FOR APPROX 45 MINUTES. THEN DRIVEN 300FT TO POINT C. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, I SMELLED SOMETHING UNUSUAL BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS THE AUTO SHOP NEXT DOOR. WHEN I WENT INTO THE STORE, AN EMPLOYEE LOOKED THROUGH THE GLASS WINDOW AND SHOUTED "SOMEONE'S CAR IS ON FIRE." I LOOKED AND SAW IT WAS MY VEHICLE. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. THE CAR NO LONGER STARTS. I WILL WRITE AGAIN TO UPDATE ON DIAGNOSIS FROM HYUNDAI. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 1, 2008
BATTERY, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACE IN 12/05/05, THEN AGAIN IN 10/05/06, ON 7/31/08 THE BATTERY THIS TIME DIE WITH NO WARNING, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE VERY BUSY INTERSECTION. BOTH TIME THE BATTERY WAS REPLACE BY RICK CASE HYUNDAI, STATED BAD BATTERY. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 2, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE WIRES UNDER THE HOOD WERE MELTING IN THE CLIMATE CONTROL ASSEMBLY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE CLIMATE CONTROL ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACED. AS A RESULT, THE INSULATION IS MELTING FROM THE WIRES AND CAUSING THEM TO BECOME BARE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.