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, Structure, Wheels, Sep 27, 2012, crash
DRIVING ON CLEAR PAVED STREET @ APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN LOUD CRACKLING NOISE OF FRONT RIGHT FELL TO PAVEMENT. NO LOSS OF CONTROL, MERELY STEERED VEHICLE OFF MAIN LANE OF STREET. NO STRUCTURE OR OBJECT FOUND ON PAVED STREET FOR APPROXIMATELY 50 YDS TO FINAL POINT OF EXITING OFF OF STREET. WITNESS IN CAR WITH DRIVER CAN ATTEST TO NO POT HOLES OR OTHER NOTED OBJECTS ANYWHERE IN AREA OF TIRE MARKINGS ON PAVED STREET. AUTO REQUIRED FULL TOW TO CLOSEST DEALERSHIP. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Sep 25, 2012
THE FRAME TO THE CAR HAS A HOLE RUSTED THRU THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLT AND IS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. THE CAR WAS STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY AND SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED HYUNDAI SAYS ITS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BUT ITS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS ALL THE REST. *TR
Suspension, Jan 3, 2011
OUR CAR WAS EXCESSIVELY VIBRATING; WE WERE TOLD THAT THE HARMONIC STABILIZER NEEDED TO BE FIXED AND THAT HYUANDI CARS WERE KNOWN FOR HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Suspension, Wheels, Aug 3, 2006
18 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING MY 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA BRAND NEW. THE REAR WHEEL BEARING SEIZED CAUSING MY TIRE TO DRAG WHILE DRIVING AND THE TIRE THEN POPPED. I WAS ABLE TO HAVE THE WHEEL BEARING REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE TIRE. *JB
Suspension, Feb 21, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE ROAD SLANTED TO THE RIGHT, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, AS WELL AS ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, ALIGNED THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS NOT REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 03/15/06
Suspension, Jan 18, 2005
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A FRONT ALIGNMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB