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
202 reports, newest first.
Suspension, Jul 19, 2019
SUSPENSION: I HAVE CHANGED BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND NOW MY STRUTS AND SHOCKS ARE OUT I CALLED AND HAVE BEEN TOLD MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL BUT I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW THAT IS WHEN I HAVE A 2004 SONATA AND THAT IS THE CAR PART OF THE RECALL
Suspension, Jul 14, 2019
SEVERE SUBFRAME CORROSION FOUND DURING INSPECTION OF CAR THAT WAS ORIGINALLY FROM ILLINOIS.
Steering, Suspension, Jul 10, 2019
I HAVE A 04 HYUNDAI SONATA WHICH WAS RECALLED FOR THE SUBFRAME ROT AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT DOESNT COME UP WITH MY VIN BUT IV HAD TO REPLACE 2 TIRED AND A TIE ROD AND THE SUB FRAME IS GETTING WORSE CAUSING MORE DAMAGE MY CAR PULLS BANGS AND ONE DAY MY WHOLE SUSPENSION WILL DETACH AND HOW IS IT NOT UNDER THE RECALL I HAVE A HOUSE AND TWO CHILDREN AND CAN NOT AFFORD A NEW CAR SO PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND
Steering, Wheels, Jun 9, 2019
TAKATA RECALL MY STEERING GET TIGHT WHILE I'M DRIVING WHICH MAKES IT HARD TO TURN WHILE ON THE HIGHWAYS
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.
Suspension, Structure, Wheels, Mar 20, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED, WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER TIRES TO DETACH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RELIABLE HYUNDAI (438 S INGRAM MILL RD, SPRINGFIELD, MO 65802) WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD AND UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE FRONT TIRES WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE SUBFRAME REMAINED RUSTED. THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOUR TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V124000 (SUSPENSION). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 207,000.
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.
Steering, Suspension, Jan 19, 2019
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE DUE TO STEERING ISSUES AND FRONT END NOISE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION CONCERNING THE FRONT CRADLE FRAME NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AND NEAR THE CONCENTRIX BRAKE ADJUSTMENT FOR BOTH REAR TIRES PERTAINING TO THE SUBFRAME. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CONTACT THE LOCAL DEALER FOR THE MANUFACTURER FOR A RECOMMENDATION.DEALER RECOMMENDS THE ENTIRE CRADLE BE REPLACED AS IT WILL NOT LAST MUCH LONGER AND CAN BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS IT IS ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH AND THE REAR BRAKES CANNOT BE ADJUSTED DUE TO RUST. THERE IS A RECALL 09V124000 FOR THIS FOR CARS FROM THE RUSTBELT STATES BUT I AM IN TN AND IT IS NOT COVERED. I AM IN THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTH EAST TN AND IT SHOULD BE COVERED AS WE ALSO GET SNOW AND THEY SALT THE ROADS. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN ITS PRESENT CONDITION AND HYUNDAI NEEDS TO HAVE THIS FIXED AS OBVIOUSLY FROM THE COMPLAINTS THERE IS LOTS OF THIS. MFG IN SEPT OF 2003 SO IT IS WITHIN THE TIME FRAME
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Dec 10, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT HAD TO TAP THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL A FEW TIMES OR SHIFT INTO PARK FOR THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,000.
Suspension, Structure, Aug 27, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION CONCERNING THE FRONT FRAME, REAR FRAME, NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE, AND NEAR THE FRONT REAR TIRE TIE RODS PERTAINING TO THE SUBFRAME. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER FOR A RECOMMENDATION. THE MANUFACTURER HAD KEY HYUNDAI OF SALEM (470 S BROADWAY, SALEM, NH 03079, (603) 841-3099) SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT ON AUGUST 28, 2018 TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08016 (SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V124000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO REMEDY AND ADVISED THAT THE DEALER REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Suspension, Aug 9, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WOBBLE VIOLENTLY AND AN ABNORMAL SQUEALING SOUND WAS HEARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS IT CAME TO A STOP BY THE CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED INVER GROVE HYUNDAI AT (888) 706-5928 (LOCATED AT 1290 50TH ST E, INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MN 55077), BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.
Suspension, Apr 28, 2018
THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY RECALLS RECALL NUMBER 09V124000 BUT, HYUNDAI SAYS MY CAR MISS BY 2 WEEKS CUT OFF IS NOV. 20 2003, MY VEHICLE DATE IS DEC. 19 2003
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 24, 2018
FUEL SYSTEM CANNOT FUEL VEHICLE PROPERLY DUE TO POOR VENT RECOVERY EQUIPMENT.... NONE OF IT IS REPLACEABLE AS REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE NOLONGER AVAILABLE...
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.
Structure, Wheels, Sep 17, 2017
WORN REAR TIRES PROMPTED PURCHASE OF NEW TIRES. TIRE TECHNICIANS NOTED THAT THE FRAME WAS CRACKED AND THAT THE VEHICE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. BOTH REAR TIRES ARE IN JEOPARDY BUT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE IS BY FAR THE WORSE. VEHICLE HAD BEEN MAKING ODD NOISES ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING AND SOME VIBRATION AT SPWEDS OVER 40MPH. FORTUNATELY THE THE TIRES DIDN'T FALL OFF WHILE IN MOTION.
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
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.
Steering, Structure, May 4, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE STEERING WAS UNSTABLE AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRADLE HAD A LARGE RUST SPOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.
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.