2004 Hyundai Accent problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
Among the better years
The 2004 Hyundai Accent is among the quieter years of the Accent on NHTSA's books: 40 complaints (55% below the model's median year), no recalls, and no open investigations. Complainants reported 20 injuries in total across these filings.
Airbags leads the complaint categories with 10 reports (25% of the total).
40
NHTSA complaints
0
Recalls
0
Investigations
12
Crash-involved
3
Fires reported
20
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 2004 compare to other Accent years?
What are the most common 2004 Hyundai Accent problems?
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 10 | 25% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 5 | 13% | ▼ down |
| Steering | 4 | 10% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 3 | 8% | ▼ down |
| Brakes | 3 | 8% | — flat |
| Other | 3 | 8% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 3 | 8% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 2 | 5% | — flat |
| Electrical System | 2 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 2 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Body & Structure | 1 | 3% | — flat |
| Speed Control | 1 | 3% | — flat |
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“TAKATA RECALL ON 11/29/2015 DRIVING ON PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE GOING 60-65 MPH VEHICLE IN FRONT STOPPED. IMPACT TOTALED CAR. HOOD CRUMBLED UP, HEADLIGHT WITH COMPLETE HOUSING DESTROYED, RADIATOR SPILLED FLUID, ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND MY HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD. NO WEATHER ISSUES. ACCIDENT OCCURRED…”
“TRANSMISSION STARTED FAILING WITHIN THE FIRST 30 DAYS OF PURCHASE, EVER TIME IT WENT OVER 10 MPH IT LUGGED BACK AND THEN WENT FORWARD. BOUGHT THE CAR USED WITH 42K MILES AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO KEEL THE CAR TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION OR CHANGE A PART. ”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING LEFT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE AN UNKNOWN PART WAS REPLACED BUT…”
“THE HEATER FAN IN THE CAR WOULD ONLY WORK ON HIGH SPEED. IT WAS A CONTINUAL OCCURRENCE, THEREFORE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE INTERIOR HEAT AND DEFROSTER. IT WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME WHAT HAD FAILED ON THE SWITCH WERE TWO RECEPTACLES WHERE THE…”
“THE COMBINATION OF SMALL TIRES AND SOFT SUSPENSION CAUSES A SEVER BODY ROLL PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT. IT GOT WORSE AS MY TIRES STARTED TO SHOW SOME WEAR.”
2004 Hyundai Accent — common questions
Is the 2004 Hyundai Accent reliable?
Its record is better than the model's norm: 40 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Accent year, with 0 recalls and no open investigations.
What are the most common 2004 Accent problems?
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (10 complaints), transmission (5 complaints), steering (4 complaints).
Does the 2004 Hyundai Accent have recalls?
No. NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2004 Hyundai Accent.
Which Hyundai Accent years should you avoid?
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Accent years to avoid are 2012, 2013, 1995, 2002, 2016, 2001, 1996, 2008, 2015, 2014. The cleanest record among Accent years belongs to 1993.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.