Complaints
285
Crashes
36
Fires
2
Injuries
44
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2004 Hyundai Sonata Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#152 complaints
Suspension Failures
Avg mileage:112,836 mi
Crash-related:1
#243 complaints
Airbags
Avg mileage:126,210 mi
Crash-related:12
Fires:1
#322 complaints
Body Structure
Avg mileage:105,174 mi
Crash-related:2
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Hyundai Sonata.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension Failures | 52 | 1 | — | 112,836 mi | |
| Airbags | 43 | 12 | 1 | 126,210 mi | |
| Body Structure | 22 | 2 | — | 105,174 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 14 | 1 | 1 | 99,888 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 13 | — | — | 94,785 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 12 | — | — | 109,838 mi | |
| Latches / Locks | 11 | — | — | 62,561 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 10 | 1 | — | 144,121 mi | |
| Brakes | 7 | 3 | — | 101,400 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 7 | — | — | 99,000 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 5 | 1 | — | 115,333 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 5 | — | — | 83,120 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 5 | — | — | 65,999 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 5 | 1 | — | 57,188 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 5 | 2 | — | 67,854 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheels:Hub | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Suspension Failures
52
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
112,836
Airbags
43
complaints
Crashes
12
Fires
1
Avg Miles
126,210
Body Structure
22
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
105,174
Electrical Faults
14
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
99,888
Structural Problems
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
94,785
Steering Defects
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
109,838
Latches / Locks
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
62,561
Wheel Issues
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
144,121
Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
101,400
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
99,000
Engine Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
115,333
Engine & Cooling
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,120
Headlight/Taillight Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,999
Hydraulic Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
57,188
Unintended Acceleration
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
67,854
Gasoline Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheels:Hub
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Hyundai Sonata. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Hyundai Sonata Years
2004 Hyundai Sonata — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2004 Hyundai Sonata has 285 NHTSA complaints, 36 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Suspension Failures with 52 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Hyundai Sonata?
Top reported problems: Suspension Failures (52 complaints, avg 112,836 mi); Airbags (43 complaints, avg 126,210 mi); Body Structure (22 complaints, avg 105,174 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 Sonata?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 106,651 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 Sonata?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Hyundai Sonata include 36 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 44 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 Sonata have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2004 Hyundai Sonata 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 Sonata?
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 Sonata reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2004 Hyundai Sonata
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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