VehicleVerdict

2004 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe sits mid-pack among Santa Fe years: 386 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 297, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 61 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across suspension (71), brakes (45), and airbags (43), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

386

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

40

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

61

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Santa Fe years?

Santa Fe NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted1,231 complaints2001: 293 complaints2002: 219 complaints2003: 390 complaints2004: 386 complaints2005: 300 complaints2006: 143 complaints2007: 981 complaints2008: 718 complaints2009: 506 complaints2010: 331 complaints2011: 268 complaints2012: 474 complaints2013: 806 complaints2014: 679 complaints2015: 331 complaints2016: 288 complaints2017: 1,231 complaints2018: 143 complaints2019: 268 complaints2020: 270 complaints2021: 236 complaints2022: 292 complaints2023: 307 complaints2024: 186 complaints2025: 170 complaints2026: 39 complaints
Santa Fe NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Santa Fe years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension7118%
Brakes4512%
Airbags4311%
Fuel System4010%
Speed Control3910%
Engine3810%
Transmission215%
Electrical System215%
Body & Structure123%
Tires & Wheels113%
Steering113%
Visibility & Wipers92%
Seat Belts82%
Other82%
Latches & Locks51%
Seats21%
Lighting10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?

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

14V435000SuspensionJuly 18, 2014 · 271,773 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model Year 2001-2006 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2000, through February 15, 2006, that are registered and operated, or which were originally sold and registered, in the following 20 “salt belt" states and the District of Columbia: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The affected vehicles may experience front coil spring corrosion from road salt, causing the coil spring to fracture and make contact with the tire.

Consequence

If the front coil spring fractures due to corrosion it could cause the coil spring to make contact with the tire, possibly puncturing the tire and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the coil spring, free of charge. The recall began on October 24, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 124.

04V131000BrakesMarch 16, 2004 · 17,401 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES, 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS (ABS), IF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 3 AND 12 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE PAD FRICTION SURFACES ARE WET, A VIBRATION MAY OCCUR BETWEEN THE BRAKE DISCS AND PADS CAUSING ABS SENSOR ELECTRONIC SIGNAL NOISE TO DEVELOP. AT SPEEDS BELOW 5 MPH, THE ABS SENSOR SIGNAL NOISE MAY CAUSE THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO ACTIVATE THE ABS, EXTENDING THE STOPPING DISTANCE.

Consequence

IF AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 24, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

03V520000OtherDecember 18, 2003 · 249,309 units

Defect

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Consequence

THE TIRE PRESSURE LABELS DO NOT CONTAIN THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECT LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I RESPONDED TO HYUNDAI'S RECALL EMAIL AND WHEN I TRIED TO SIGN UP TO HAVE MY VEHICLE'S ISSUES RESOLVED AND SCHEDULE ELECTRONICALLY I COULD NOT DO SO UNLESS I AGREED TO ALSO SCHEDULE A RECOMMENDED SERVICE SUCH AS AN OIL CHANGE. THE SITE I WAS SENT TO IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 7, 2016

“WAS PULLING INTO PARKING LOT OF SHOPPING MALL, AS I PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE I APPLIED THE ABS BRAKES AND THEY WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING MY VEHICLE. I THEN TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND APPLIED IT AGAIN, WITH THE SAME RESULTS. BEFORE I COULD USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE I STRUCK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 20, 2004 · crash

“WAS ON HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT POSTED SPEED OF 70MPH WHEN WE WERE HIT FROM BEHIND BY A DUI DRIVER. THIS MADE MY CAR GO INTO A SPIN AND ROLLOVER 4 TIMES. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CAR IS TOTAL LOSS. I RECEIVED DISLOCATION OF MY COLLARBONE THAT NEEDED EMERGENCY SURGERY, CONCUSSION, FRACTURED NOSE,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 10, 2016 · crash

“MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE IDLING WHEN A FIRE OCCURRED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE COMPLETELY ENGULFED FRONT OF VEHICLE BEFORE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE BLAZE. VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. CAUSE OF THE FIRE NOT DETERMINED. VEHICLE RECEIVED PERIODIC SERVICE ONE MONTH EARLIER.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 17, 2010 · fire

“WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES INSIDE OF THE PARKING GARAGE THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE DRIVER SKIDDED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. THE DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 27, 2004 · crash

2004 Hyundai Santa Fe — common questions

Is the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

It is close to typical for the Santa Fe: 386 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2004 Santa Fe problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (71 complaints), brakes (45 complaints), airbags (43 complaints).

Does the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Hyundai Santa Fe years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Santa Fe years to avoid are 2017, 2007, 2013, 2008, 2014, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018. The cleanest record among Santa Fe 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.