Complaints
209
Crashes
32
Fires
3
Injuries
34
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2004 Hyundai Elantra Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#157 complaints
Airbags
Avg mileage:57,688 mi
Crash-related:16
#234 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
Avg mileage:9,069 mi
#318 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:23,523 mi
Crash-related:6
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Hyundai Elantra.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 57 | 16 | — | 57,688 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 34 | — | — | 9,069 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 18 | 6 | — | 23,523 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 8 | 1 | — | 88,264 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 7 | — | 1 | 41,023 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 7 | — | — | 67,167 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 6 | 1 | — | 85,175 mi | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 5 | 1 | — | 29,823 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 5 | 1 | — | 96,489 mi | |
| Child Seat | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Rear/Other | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Brakes | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:On-Off Switch Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — |
Airbags
57
complaints
Crashes
16
Fires
—
Avg Miles
57,688
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
34
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
9,069
Air Bags:Frontal
18
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
23,523
Seat Belt Issues
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
88,264
Engine & Cooling
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
41,023
Unintended Acceleration
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
67,167
Suspension Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
85,175
Air Bags:Side/Window
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
29,823
Engine Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
96,489
Child Seat
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Rear/Other
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:On-Off Switch Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Hyundai Elantra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Hyundai Elantra Years
2004 Hyundai Elantra — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2004 Hyundai Elantra has 209 NHTSA complaints, 32 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 57 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Hyundai Elantra?
Top reported problems: Airbags (57 complaints, avg 57,688 mi); Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module (34 complaints, avg 9,069 mi); Air Bags:Frontal (18 complaints, avg 23,523 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Hyundai Elantra?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 45,075 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Hyundai Elantra include 32 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 34 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2004 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2004 Hyundai Elantra as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2004 Hyundai Elantra?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Hyundai Elantra reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2004 Hyundai Elantra
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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