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.
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 22, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHROME HANDLE ON THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR PEELED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CUT HIS HAND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V171000 ( LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,500.
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
Structure, Jun 10, 2011
THE INTERNAL FLOOR ON DRIVER SIDE SHOWS OBVIOUS EROSION FROM NORMAL SALT EXPOSURE IN THE WINTER. DEALER IGNORED MY COMPLAINT OF THE EROSION WHEN I WENT TO ADDRESS ANOTHER RECALL REGARDING SALT EROSION. ME AND A FAMILY MEMBER RECEIVED CUTS ON THE FINGER FROM PEELING COVERING ON INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. PAINT NEAR EXTERIOR HANDLES SCRATCHES EASILY AND EVENTUALLY REVEALS THE COLOR OF THE SECOND LAYER OF PAINT WHICH IS A DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT COLOR FROM THE CAR'S EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR. *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
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
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Equipment, Dec 19, 2010
AIRBAG SAFETY LIGHT. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 30, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. AS THE CONTACT APPROACHED A TRAFFIC LIGHT, HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED; HE HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. THE BRAKES SQUEAKED AND MADE A NOISE AS IF PRESSURE HAD LEFT THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.
Structure, Nov 7, 2010
INTERIOR CHROME DOOR HANDLE CRACK, CAUSING THE CHROME PLATING TO SEPARATE. AFTER SEPARATION THE HANDLE BECOMES EXTREMELY SHARP AND CUT MY HAND.
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
Structure, Equipment, Sep 8, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE VEHICLE HAD WATER DAMAGED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE AIR CONDITIONING HOSE SEALANT THAT ALLOWED WATER TO PENETRATE WHICH CAUSED MILDEW TO FORM ON THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL WILL NEED TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE DAMAGED WIRING AND SEALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A YEAR AGO WATER PENETRATED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SEALANT AROUND THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THE VIN INFORMATION WASN'T AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Structure, Aug 22, 2010
INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE CHROME PEELING OFF CAUSING SHARP METAL THAT CAN CUT FINGERS OR HANDS. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 19, 2010
INSIDE DOOR HANDLES THIN COVERING (APPEARS TO BE ALUMINUM) IS PEELING APART AND I HAVE CUT MY HAND ON THE SHARP EDGE WHICH CAME APART. DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE THE HANDLE BECAUSE HYUNDAI HAS NOT RECALLED THE 2004 MODELS WHICH HAS THE ***SAME PROBLEM**AS THE 2003 MODEL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 10, 2010
2004 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS DIES RANDOMLY WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT OR TURNING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, THEN STARTS RIGHT UP AND MAY NOT DO IT AGAIN FOR A MONTH OR A FEW DAYS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON AND VEHICLE RUNS GREAT BESIDES DYING IN TRAFFIC WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 1, 2010
CHROME IS PEELING OFF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES CAUSING CUTS TO HANDS/FINGERS ON MY 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. *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
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 14, 2010
2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. BUILT IIN FEBRUARY 2004, THE CHROME PLATING OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE CAME LOOSE. OUR HANDS HAVE BEEN CUT SEVERAL TIMES BY THE SHARP EDGES OF THE CHROME THAT IS PEELING BACK. FINALLY HAD TO PEEL THE CHROME OFF AND SAND THE EDGES. *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
Exterior lighting, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 14, 2009
EMERGENCY FLASHERS BEGAN FLASHING FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND WOULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. THEN TRYING TO USE THE KEYLESS ENTRY DOOR OPENER, THE LOCKS BEGAN LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. WHEN THE CAR WAS RUNNING THIS STOPPED. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ETAC MODULE, THEN THE ENTIRE FUSE BOX. AFTER RETURNING HOME, THE HAZARD LIGHTS AGAIN BEGAN FLASHING WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. THIS WOULD STOP AND BEGIN AGAIN INTERMITTENTLY. RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND LEFT THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS. FINALLY A SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM CEASED. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 3, 2009
I HAVE A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA - SAME PROBLEM AS WITH THE 2002-2003 LISTED BELOW - THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CLOSED. RECALL CAMPAIGN 09V171000 HAS 1 RELATED INVESTIGATION(S) NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE08071 VEHICLE MAKE / MODEL: MODEL YEAR(S): HYUNDAI / SONATA 2002 MANUFACTURER: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY COMPONENT: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH DATE INVESTIGATION OPENED: DECEMBER 15, 2008 DATE INVESTIGATION CLOSED: MAY 29, 2009 SUMMARY: THE MANUFACTURER HAS ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL NOTIFICATION AS A RESULT OF THIS INVESTIGATION. THE RECALL AFFECTS 91,202 MY 2002-2003 SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JANUARY 28, 2002, THROUGH MARCH 22, 2003. THE VEHICLE RECALL POPULATION WAS DEFINED BY THE MANUFACTURER'S USE OF A NEW SUPPLIER FOR THE CHROME PLATING PROCESS BEGINNING IN JANUARY 2002, AND A PRODUCTION CHANGE IN MARCH 2003 TO IMPROVE ADHESION OF THE PLATING TO THE DOOR HANDLE. VEHICLES BEING RECALLED REPRESENT 59 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL MY 2002-2003 PRODUCTION, BUT ACCOUNT FOR 91 PERCENT OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS RECEIVED. THE PROCESS CHANGE FOR MY 2002 VEHICLES RESULTED IN A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN COMPLAINTS (1200 PERCENT ON A PER UNIT RATE BASIS). MY 2003 VEHICLES BUILT AFTER MARCH 2003 PRODUCTION CHANGE SHOWED A SIMILAR DECLINE IN THE COMPLAINT RATE. BASED ON THE MANUFACTURER'S ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED. *TR
Structure, Nov 10, 2009
RECALL ON 2004 HYUNDAI. I CALLED 5 DEALERS TO HAVE THEM INSPECT MY CAR, DUE TO THE RECALL I RECEIVED ABOUT POSSIBLE FRAME RUSTING. THE WAIT IS ANY WHERE FROM 10 DAYS TO A MONTH, JUST TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE FRAME. I EXPLAINED THAT MY CAR IS SHOWING THE SIGNS OF DAMAGED RUSTED FRAME. I REQUESTED THAT THEY EITHER. PAY FOR MY ROOM OR PAY FOR MY CAR RENTAL. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 3, 2009
04 HYUNDAI HORN BLOWING ALL THE TIME. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 30, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. IN FEBRUARY 2009, THE TOP EDGE OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE DEVELOPED CRACKS. AS A CONSEQUENCE SHE INJURED HERSELF WHILE OPENING THE DOOR. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE INSPECTED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WOULD COST $70.00. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO-DATE. HER MODEL YEAR WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL# 09V171000 & 09V317000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,000.
Structure, Oct 12, 2009
RE: HYUNDAI '04 SONATA - BOUGHT NEW AT KEY HYUNDAI BRANFORD CT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE RE RUSTING SUBFRAMES. ISSUES I'VE HAD OVER LAST 12 MONTHS: STEERING WHEEL PULLING TO ONE SIDE - ALIGNMENT WAY OFF - FIXED, PROBLEM RECURRED. INTERMITTENT NOISES COMING FROM ?WHEELS STEERING COLUMN, ESP.WHEN TURNING CORNERS - SEEMS TO BE TWO SEPARATE DISTINCT NOISES. RECENTLY STEERING WH. WITH RHYTHMIC SHIMMY, INTERMITTENT. TOOK CAR INTO KEY H.FOR INSPECTION - TOLD IT NEEDS NEW SUBFRAME (6 HR.JOB) BUT NO ALIGNMENT WILL BE DONE, NO LOANER OR RENTAL WOULD BE GIVEN. CALLED HYUNDAI CUST. CENTER. TOLD THAT AN ALIGNMENT, RENTAL "..WASN'T PART OF THE DEAL" THEY PUT THE ONUS ON NHTSA - SAYS YOU DIDN'T TELL THEM THEY HAD TO DO ANY MORE THAN REPLACE THE S.F. MY REGULAR MECHANIC SAYS THAT IT IS WORRISOME THAT NO ALIGNMENT WILL BE DONE. "HOW CAN THEY DO ALL THAT FRONT END WORK AND NOT REALIGN THE WHEELS?" REGARDING A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE FOR THE DAY, CONSIDERING THE SUBFR. HAS TURNED OUT TO BE MAJOR 'LEMON', YOU'D THINK AS A GESTURE OF GOOD WILL, HYUNDAI WOULD PAY ANOTHER $25 - 30 FOR A RENTAL. THEIR CUST. ASSIS. CENTRE IS A JOKE. THE GIRL HANDLING CALLS KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT MECHANICS, HAS NO AUTHORITY AND JUST KEEPS SAYING SHE'S SORRY BUT THIS IS NHTSA'S DEAL, NOT HYUNDAI. ANOTHER ISSUE- WITH THE S.F. RECALL NOTICE, I RECEIVED A 2ND NOTICE RE: CHROME HANDLES PEELING ON INSIDE DOOR. MINE PEELED THE FIRST YEAR I HAD THE CAR - ABRASION TO MY FINGER. I TAPED THE HANDLE AND DIDN'T COMPLAIN. THE SERVICE MANAGER LAST WEEK TOLD ME RECALL GOES TO '03 MODELS (WHY DID I GET THE NOTICE?) AND SAYS I CAN PAY $90 FOR CHROME REPLACEMENT. AND BY THE WAY, ALSO HANDED ME $2500 WORTH OF OTHER WORK I NEED - I DON'T, ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. GUESS H. TRYING TO RECOUP MONEY SOME WAY, SINCE THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE S.F.FREE. BOTTOM LINE: THIS IS MY 2ND H. AND MY LAST-LOST FAITH& WORRIED THAT THEY WILL NOT DO PROPER JOB ON RECALL WORK.WILL PAY FOR RENTAL AND ALIGNMENT MYSELF. ANY SUGGESTIONS? *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 30, 2009
THE CHROME PLATING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE AS WORN TO THE POINT WHERE IT HAS CRACKED AND LEFT A SHARP EDGE ON MY 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. THIS CAUSED A RECALL OF 2002-2003 HYUNDAI SONATAS 09V-171. *TR