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: suspension
56 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Apr 24, 2018
MY CAR HAS FAILED THE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO A RUSTED SUB-FRAME. HYUNDAI HAS RECALLED MAY OF THESE CARS (SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL) DUE TO THIS ISSUE YET REFUSES TO COVER MINE AS THEY SAY IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. IT HAS THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AS THOSE THAT WERE RECALLED. I HAVE TRIED TWICE UNSUCCESSFULLY TO HAVE THEM CORRECT THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THERE ARE 2 CASE NUMBERS, 11190286 & 100927.
Steering, Suspension, Oct 26, 2017
THE 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA HAS A RECALL FOR THE FRONT SUB FRAME RUSTING TO THE POINT WHERE THE FRONT SUSPENSION MOUNT RUST TO THE EXTENT THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATES FROM IT'S MOUNTING BRACKET WHICH CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS FOR CARS THAT WERE SOLD OR REGISTERED IN THE SALT BELT STATES. EVERY STATE IN MY AREA ARE LISTED EXCEPT MY STATE OF VIRGINIA. MY CARS SUB FRAME COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH TO WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATED FROM IT'S BRACKETS WHILE MOVING ENTERING AN EXIT ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY I95 CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE WHICH ISN'T COVERED. THE RECALL IS 09V124000. I BELIEVE VIRGINIA SHOULD BE ADDED TO THIS RECALL DUE TO IT BEING IN THE SAME AREA AS THE OTHER STATES WITH THE SAME WEATHER PATTERN.
Suspension, Aug 15, 2017
MY WHOLE RIGHT SIDE OF MY SUBFRAME IS RUSTED I'VE RESEARCHED A LOT ON THIS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND VERY UNCOMMON IT'S CAUSING MY WHEEL TO PULL AND I CURRENTLY CAN'T DRIVE IT
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.
Suspension, Apr 24, 2017
HYUNDAI RECALLED 2001 TO 2004 SONATAS. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID HYUNDAI DENIED THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER SAID IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL. I WANT THE RECALL EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THIS VIN.
Suspension, Structure, Dec 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERE RUST ON THE SUBFRAME. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V124000 (SUSPENSION). AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REMEDY NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER TOOK TOO LONG TO PROVIDE THE REMEDY. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TR
Suspension, Nov 16, 2016
THIS IS MY SECOND ATTEMPT SUBMITTING THE SAME COMPLAINT. THE HYUNDAI CORP HAS NOT FIXED MY CAR NOR GIVEN ME A LOANER NOR CONTACTED ME AND IT'S BEEN 3 MONTHS.
Suspension, Structure, Sep 26, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SUBFRAME FRACTURED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE FRONT AXLE TO FRACTURE AND SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT AXLE WAS CUT AWAY FROM THE SUBFRAME TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V124000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000.
Suspension, Sep 16, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH FRONT CV AXLES WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE HUB ASSEMBLY WAS BENT AND RUBBED AGAINST THE TIRE, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Steering, Suspension, Other or unspecified, Aug 19, 2016
SEVERE CORROSION ON FRONT SUBFRAME. IT IS A RECALL BUT NO FEEDBACK FROM HYUNDAI. SALT BELT CORROSION (LAWSUIT) AGAIN NO FEEDBACK. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS , COULD RESULT IN INJURY
Suspension, Mar 31, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL VEERED TO THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUB FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V124000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
Suspension, Nov 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V124000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
Suspension, Sep 11, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FRONT END FRAME OF THE VEHICLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT END SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V124000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,400.
Suspension, Structure, Jul 28, 2015
SEVERE RUST AFFECTING UNDERCARRIAGE. VEHICLE WAS PART OF RECALL FOR SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY AND HAD TO HAVE ENTIRE ENGINE CRADLE REPLACED. REMAINING SECTIONS OF UNDERCARRIAGE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL, FUEL LINES, BRAKE LINES, SUSPENSION ARE ALSO SEVERELY CORRODED AS WELL AS LARGE PORTIONS OF THE PASSENGER REAR SIDE BODY PANELS. BRAKE LINES IN REAR PORTION OF VEHICLE CORRODED SO BADLY THEY FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. TOP PORTION OF FUEL PUMP LOCATED IN TOP OF GAS TANK ALSO SEVERELY CORRODED.
Suspension, Mar 25, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V124000 (SUSPENSION), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Steering, Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Jan 26, 2015
TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC FOR FUEL PUMP WORK. HE INFORMED US THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE IS RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR AND IS UN-SAFE TO DRIVE. I FOUND THE RECALL ONLINE AND CALLED HYUNDAI. THEY INFORMED ME THAT REMEDIATION HAD BEEN DONE IN 2009. (A NEW HOLE FOR DRAINAGE HAD BEEN DRILLED IN THE ENGINE CRADLE FRAME AND A SEALANT APPLIED). EVIDENTLY THIS DID NOT STOP THE CORROSION OF THE FRAME AND CAUSED A WEAKENING OF THE FRAME AND A CRACK IN THE STRUCTURAL AREA OF THE FRAME. IS HYUNDAI LIABLE TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT? I CAN SUPPLY PICTURES OF THE DEFECT AND CRACK IN FRAME IF NECESSARY. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Oct 24, 2014
I WAS DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON HIMILAYA &CAME TO A SLIGHT CURVE IN THE ROAD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR PULLED HARD TO THE LEFT ALMOST HITTING THE CAR IN THE LEFT LANE NEXT TO ME, IT DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND I HEARD A VERY LOUD SCRAPING NOISE.I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO FIND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM & THE BOLT & PIN MEANT TO KEEP THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FROM DETACHING WAS GONE. THERE IS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL WELL, FRONT RIGHT PANEL OF THE VEHICLE, FLUID IS LEAKING & THE CAR IS NO LONGER OPERATIONAL/CAPABLE OF DRIVING. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN MARYLAND WHICH IS ONE OF THE STATES INCLUDED IN RECALL #09V124000. *TR
Suspension, Sep 4, 2014
THERE WAS NOT A CRASH, HAVING MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION, HAVE TAKEN TO NUMEROUS MECHANICS FOR INSPECTION AND THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG..FEELS LIKE THE WHEELS ARE GOING TO FOLD UNDER AND WHEN GOING AROUND A CORNER WITH PAVEMENT LEVEL CHANGES, IT PULLED DRAMATICALLY..ITS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, AND SURELY CAUSE FOR RECALL. A RECALL FOR THE SUSPENSION FOR VEHICLES IN THE SALT STATES ONLY...DOES NOT MAKE SENSE WHEN IM READING SOME OF THE ISSUES FOLKS ARE HAVING ISSUES CAN BE CAUSED JUST BY FAULTY WORKMANSHIP, VERY POOR QUALITY. AND AFTER CONTACTING HYUNDAI THEY MENTIONED MINE CAN NOT BE PART OF IT CAUSE IM NOT LOCATED ON THE EAST COAST. THIS SOUNDS ODD, IM HAVING SAME ISSUES .. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Jun 30, 2014
CAR FAILED PA INSPECTION BECAUSE OF RUN ON THE SUB FRAME DEALER SAYS ITS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. *TR
Suspension, May 9, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM WAS CORRODED AND CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Suspension, Feb 27, 2014
MY SUB FRAME IS ROTTING AWAY AND POSES A GRAVE SAFETY ISSUE TO MYSELF AND OTHER MOTORISTS ON THE ROAD IF MY ENGINE SHOULD FALL OUT OF MY VEHICLE
Suspension, Oct 21, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE CORRODED IN THE SUB FRAME. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V124000 (SUSPENSION) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 11/30/13*CN
Suspension, Jul 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR STATE INSPECTION BUT DID NOT PASS BECAUSE THE SU B FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V124000(SUSPENSION) AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Jun 7, 2013
I TOOK MY 2004 SONATA FOR INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD NOT PASS DUE TO A LARGE HOLE FROM CORROSION IN FRONT PASSENGER SUBFRAME NEAR CONTROL ARM BOLT COSTING $1200 TO FIX. AFTER FINDING OUT THAT THIS WAS RECALLED AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED, I CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS COVERED (I AM IN SO-CALLED "SALT BELT"). WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER BACK, I WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER THEN CALLED HYUNDAI AND DEALER CALLED ME BACK STATING THAT HYUNDAI WOULD NOT COVER. THIS HOLE CAN GET LARGER AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING. MY APPROX MILEAGE IS ONLY 42K. WHY IS IT NOT COVERED?!?!?!? I'M GETTING THE RUN AROUND. *TR
Suspension, Jun 6, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, SHE NOTICED A VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V124000 (SUSPENSION) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *TR