10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
76,837 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 #13

Jan 272021

Sonata

  • miles
I entered my VIN number on the has buddy app and it says that I have a recall for suspension but called a dealer and they said that it doesn't. something is wrong with the wiring too because my doors lock at random times my seat goes forward and back randomly my speakers don't work. When I hit a bump jt feels like my tires are gonna fall off

- Maysville, KY, USA

problem #12

Mar 012019

Sonata

  • 207,000 miles
Sub frame on front passenger rusted and corroded. Caused damange to cv axle on same side. Caused alignment issues on front end. Causes tires to wear quickly, within a week. Anti theft system locks the car while driving and causes alarm to sound while driving and must open other doors and stop driving to stop the alarm from going off, headlights and dash lights and tail lights come on when brake is pressed and go off when brake is released but this problem only happens when headlights are not in use

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #11

Feb 272019

Sonata

  • miles
Leaking valve cover is allowing oil to leak down onto the alternator. Car can be stationary or running. Most notable when car engine is running. Oil leaking onto alternator can cause alternator to short. Alternator failed and car battery could not charge battery. Car died while my wife was driving and she had to pull quickly off to the side of the road.

- Newark, DE, USA

problem #10

Apr 292017

Sonata

  • 127,949 miles
Suspension failure July 2016-both engine mounts and lower control arms failed. Replaced 2016 July. April 2017 both engine mounts and lower control arms failed again. In addition violent jerking while driving, then loss of power. Usually occurred going up hills, coming off from making a turn or driving speeds under 25mph.brake lights remain on unable to indicate stopping to other cars.unable to safely drive and maneuver the vehicle. Brake lights remain on whether driving or in park. Jerking does not occur when putting vehicle in gear, but while driving speed decreases rapidly and car becomes difficult to steer. Suspension feels lose in addition there are noises as if bolts are broken. Per a recall search campaign 089 is open meaning under body isn't coated. Upon further reading of the campaign suspension failure can occur and other issues. Unsure if all related, but the brake lights, and jerking occurred the same time as suspension failed, which was previously replaced.huge safety issues for the driver and other motorists around, especially when jerking occurs. It should be noted, per an internet search these issues are known issues with this make model and year. All issues seen online happen with cars at or around the 130,000 mile mark.

- Elkins Park, PA, USA

problem #9

Sep 052014

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 15,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the headlights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced both the driver and the passenger bulbs on four occasions, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Updated 04/08/15

- Shirley, NY, USA

problem #8

Jan 272015

Sonata

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the driver side air bag light illuminated while the seat was occupied. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

- Rockville, MD, USA

problem #7

Jun 252014

Sonata

  • 100,000 miles
The horn started sounding for no reason in our driveway. The Hyundai dealership confirmed that the horn switch in the drivers side airbag assembly is broken and in the closed position. The part cost is a ridiculous $1,000. All airbag assemblies in all the local wrecking yards also have broken horn switches. How can this be allowed" the horn is a very necessary safety device that should last the entire life of a vehicle. Why hasn't a recall notice been issued for this condition" [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Eberett, WA, USA

problem #6

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 #5

Feb 132012

Sonata

  • 99,549 miles
Emergency flashers on my 2004 Hyundai Sonata began flashing for no apparent reason and could not be turned off (ignition was off), this continued for 15-30 minutes from the time it was noticed (neighbors knocked at the door to report that the flashers had been left on). The occurrence repeated several times throughout the night and the next day. Accessing the vehicle using the keyless entry, the doors re-locked themselves, and this repeated each time I unlocked them. The flashers stopped when the door was open or the car was turned on, but when the door was opened there was a clicking noise in the dash (at the same rate as the flashers had been flashing). We took it to the dealer for repair and they said it is the emergency flasher 4-way switch (part #937903C000) -- which is on national back-order for one month! this part is apparently not covered on the gold plus protection plan!

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #4

Feb 152010

Sonata

  • 110,865 miles
Airbag safety light.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #3

Dec 092009

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
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.

- Millersville, MD, USA

problem #2

Sep 272007

Sonata

  • 96,500 miles
Drove car 3 miles from point a to point B. it was parked at point B for approx 45 minutes. Then driven 300ft to point C. when I got out of the car, I smelled something unusual but I thought it was the auto shop next door. When I went into the store, an employee looked through the glass window and shouted "someone's car is on fire." I looked and saw it was my vehicle. There was smoke coming out of the hood. The car no longer starts. I will write again to update on diagnosis from Hyundai.

- Woodstock, GA, USA

problem #1

Jul 312008

Sonata

  • 62,022 miles
Battery, the battery was replace in 12/05/05, then again in 10/05/06, on 7/31/08 the battery this time die with no warning, in the middle of the very busy intersection. Both time the battery was replace by rick case Hyundai, stated bad battery.

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA