VehicleVerdict

2004 Hyundai Elantra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2004 Hyundai Elantra is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 209 owner complaints run below the Elantra median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Complainants reported 34 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 56% of all reports (116 of 209), far ahead of engine at 16.

209

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

32

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

34

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Elantra years?

Elantra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted1,858 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 46 complaints1993: 39 complaints1994: 110 complaints1995: 179 complaints1996: 138 complaints1997: 196 complaints1998: 75 complaints1999: 183 complaints2000: 259 complaints2001: 445 complaints2002: 431 complaints2003: 310 complaints2004: 209 complaints2005: 180 complaints2006: 209 complaints2007: 365 complaints2008: 424 complaints2009: 316 complaints2010: 501 complaints2011: 588 complaints2012: 917 complaints2013: 1,858 complaints2014: 548 complaints2015: 352 complaints2016: 387 complaints2017: 1,070 complaints2018: 397 complaints2019: 322 complaints2020: 324 complaints2021: 213 complaints2022: 135 complaints2023: 146 complaints2024: 93 complaints2025: 27 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Elantra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Elantra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Hyundai Elantra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags11656%
Engine168%
Seat Belts136%
Brakes94%
Transmission73%
Suspension73%
Speed Control73%
Electrical System63%
Steering52%
Tires & Wheels52%
Child Seat42%
Fuel System42%
Body & Structure31%
Seats31%
Lighting21%
Visibility & Wipers10%
Other10%

Does the 2004 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

05V479000AirbagsOctober 17, 2005 · 2,105 units

Defect

CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) INSTALLED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE MAY MISCLASSIFY A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT (CRS) AS AN ADULT. THIS MAY OCCUR IF THE CRS IS INSTALLED AFTER AN ADULT HAS BEEN SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. IF THERE HAS NOT BEEN A 'KEY ON' ' KEY OFF' CYCLE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT EMPTY PRIOR TO INSTALLATION OF THE CRS.

Consequence

THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF A CRS AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG OR SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S OCS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO REMOVE THE FEATURE THAT MAY CAUSE THE CRS TO BE RECOGNIZED AS AN ADULT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.

05V395000AirbagsSeptember 12, 2005 · 231,160 units

Defect

CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) INSTALLED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE MAY MISCLASSIFY A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT (CRS) AS AN ADULT. THIS MAY OCCUR IF THE CRS IS INSTALLED AFTER AN ADULT HAS BEEN SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. IF THERE HAS NOT BEEN A 'KEY ON' ' KEY OFF' CYCLE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT EMPTY PRIOR TO INSTALLATION OF THE CRS.

Consequence

THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF A CRS AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG OR SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S OCS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO REMOVE THE FEATURE THAT MAY CAUSE THE CRS TO BE RECOGNIZED AS AN ADULT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 31, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

04V370000Fuel SystemJuly 30, 2004 · 582 units

Defect

DURING AN INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY (IIHS) OFFSET FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACT TEST, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT FUEL TAN DAMAGE COULD OCCUR. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP THAT IS LOCATED NEAR THE FUEL TANK MAY NOT BE POSITIONED PROPERLY AND COULD CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EARS AND CORRECTLY POSITION THE CLAMP, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.

04V208000Fuel SystemMay 3, 2004 · 44,530 units

Defect

DURING AN INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY (IIHS) OFFSET FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACT TEST ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, FUEL SPILLAGE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF FUEL TANK DAMAGE CAUSED BY CONTACT BETWEEN A VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EAR AND THE FUEL TANK. THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EAR WAS FOUND TO BE MISPOSITIONED AND FACING TOWARD THE FUEL TANK.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE COULD CAUSE THE MISPOSITIONED CLAMP TO PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP AND CORRECTLY POSITION THE CLAMP, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

03V322000AirbagsAugust 26, 2003 · 75 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, IF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED OR IS OCCUPIED BY SOMEONE LIGHTER THAN 56.4 POUNDS, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED AND WILL NOT DEPLOY IF A CRASH OCCURS. HOWEVER, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR MAY INCORRECTLY INTERPRET THAT A SEATED ADULT IS AN INFANT SEAT AND DEACTIVATE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IF SOMEONE HEAVIER THAN 56.4 POUNDS WHO IS SEATED WITH ONE LEG RESTING ON THE OUTBOARD OR INBOARD EDGE OF THE SEAT; WITH LEGS SPREAD; OR POSITIONED OFF-CENTER TOWARD THE CENTER CONSOLE AND WITH HIS OR HER ARM LEANING ON THE CONSOLE.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER.

Remedy

THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR WILL BE REPROGRAMMED.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE DRIVING ON A RAINY DAY AT 50 MPH, THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN THE SPEED, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SHE HEARD A "HIT" UNDER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 2, 2004 · crash

“FROM STOP SIGN PROCEEDED TO CROSS INTERSECTION, WAS STRUCK ON FRONT END OF DRIVERS SIDE PANEL AND BUMPER, SPUN AROUND AND HIT AGAIN ON DRIVER BACK SIDE PANEL AND REAR WHEEL, RIPPED HALF OF THE FRONT BUMPER AND CRUSHED DRIVERS FRONT SIDE AGAINST ENGINE , NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 28, 2014 · crash

“2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA SEAT BELTS BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *MR THE SEAT BELTS BROKE AND TORE OUT. ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE CONSUMER HEAD ON. THE DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER FRONT BUMPER SENSOR WAS INOPERATIVE. *SC *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · January 12, 2005 · crash

“VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE SMELLED SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE VENTS WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 24, 2005 · fire

“I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL ON AND A CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT THE BRAKES AND MY CAR ACCELERATED. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STOPPED. ALSO THE AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT GO OFF WITH AN ADULT IN THE FRONT SEAT.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 23, 2010

2004 Hyundai Elantra — common questions

Is the 2004 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

It is close to typical for the Elantra: 209 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2004 Elantra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (116 complaints), engine (16 complaints), seat belts (13 complaints).

Does the 2004 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Hyundai Elantra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Hyundai Elantra under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hyundai Elantra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Elantra years to avoid are 2013, 2017, 2012, 2011, 2014, 2010, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2018, 2016, 2007, 2015, 2020, 2019, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1994, 1992, 1993. The cleanest record among Elantra years belongs to 2026.

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.