10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,429 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Hyundai Sonata:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #7

Jan 192022

Sonata

  • miles
I own a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. On 1/19/22, while driving the car, the brakes started failing. I was able to drive the car to my independent mechanic's shop and they repaired the brake issue with a fabrication and installation of the brake line. As my inspection was due, I made an appt with them to bring it back for inspection before the month was over. When I did bring it back however, another mechanic (who apparently had seen underneath the car when they did the brake work) stated that it would never pass inspection as the corrosion was severe. I then made an appt on 2/9 with the dealer who sold me the vehicle. The dealer however stated that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign 09V124000 (Suspension). I believe it should have been included in that recall and that I am entitled to the "Remedy" outlined in the NHTSA recall.

- Franklin Square, NY, USA

problem #6

Feb 192021

Sonata

  • 117,000 miles
Every once in awhile when I press the brake it seems to accelerate for a second before braking. I have double checked and I am not pressing the gas on accident. It has happened right after I start driving (so going under 25 mph) on side streets in town. I am unsure of the exact dates this has happened.

- Mcminnville, OR, USA

problem #5

Jul 042015

Sonata

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, the brake pedal was depressed to the floor but the brakes failed. The vehicle stopped when the emergency brake was applied. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the hydraulic rear brake line and rear cylinders were corroded. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000. The VIN was not available.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #4

Apr 292014

Sonata

  • 98,000 miles
The car was parked in a residential parking area. It had been backed into the space. After starting the car and putting the transmission in drive, the car accelerated uncontrollably. This occurred so quickly the driver was unable to control the vehicle. Brakes did not stop the vehicle. It appeared that the accelerator was stuck. The vehicle hit a car in the next row of cars. Because of rain, the car then skidded 180 degrees and struck two cars in the same line of cars from which it had departed. Only at this time by turning getting the car out of gear and turning the key could the car be stopped. The driver believes this was the result of either a the accelerator sticking on its own or a thick rubber winter mat slid up and jammed the accelerator.

- Montgomery Village, MD, USA

problem #3

Mar 032014

Sonata 6-cyl

  • miles
I called Hyundai regarding the brake lamp recall issue in my car. I have the same issue of my brake lamps. When you depress the brakes the lamps are always illuminated it only goes off when the car is turned off. This causes several people to mistake if I am braking or not. I have read several peoples complaints on the recall website, and all of us are told that " the recall has not affected your car" after giving them the VIN. Well I say it is. I have the very problem spoke of in the recall. Second the recall does not say the car must also be unable to come out of park. There are three separate issues. I want this car looked at how can several cars in different states have the same problem, with the same year car"??"

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #2

Mar 052013

Sonata

  • 85,000 miles
Backing into the garage, my foot on brake, the engine suddenly revved to high RPM, the car shot backwards, propelling a heavy rubber mat on which the car is normally parked out of the garage and into the driveway. The vehicle then impacted and crashed through the rear garage wall before coming to a stop. I managed to pry the gear lever out of reverse, hit drive instead and sent the car, wheels still spinning and laying down rubber, forward out of the garage. On its way out the car swiped along the right side the garage door post before finally coming to a stop in the driveway. Final result, serious damage to both the car and the garage. Fortunately this did not occur in traffic or with pedestrians in the area. On-line research has since shown me that there have been numerous other similar incidents where Hyundai Sonatas have suddenly accelerated on their own. See

- Battle Creek, MI, USA

problem #1

Feb 222013

Sonata

  • 112,000 miles
I was involved in a chain reaction collision on I-10 interstate. My vehicle re-ended another vehicle and neither the driver's nor the passenger's air bags deployed. Front end damaged and insurance has totaled my car. Brakes did not seem to stop with sufficient force.

- El Paso, Texas, TX, USA