2004 Hyundai Santa FE: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 303 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (21% of complaints); the 2002 and 2006 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 303 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“In transit, it began smoking and the engine light came on. After pulling to the side, flames erupted and it became fully engulfed, followed by a small explosion. The vehicle and it's contents were a total loss.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2023
“This was a recall for hundai santa fe vehicles from 2001-2006. For unknown reasons I was not aware of recall. It was for 15 years or 150 miles. It is a danger as my car leaks gas. I am at 135,000 miles. But my car is a 2004. I purchased the vehicle in the last 2 years. I believe the recall should extend till the repair is complete for the reasons as follows. 1. it can explode. 2. it is a polluter 3. Hyundai acknowledges it as faulty equipment. 4. Corporations must be resonsible or they are irresponsible. 5. Cars are expensive they must maintain as least minimum safety requirements.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that while driving at 70 mph, the sunroof detached from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Mar 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“It had 124 recall NHTSA 14v43500 I call hyundai off government site told them about 124 and broken spring they set up appointment so they only put on brackets but no spring wanted $1004 for the strut spring on they told me on call center they replace spring as it said on NHTSA site they would not do it call back to hyundia as number on government site they made a case number 16604156 amber at 714 594 1764 she said spring was not in recall I send picture of it before up there to dealer she had no clue what was so I dont who right on recall she said government NHTSA site are not correct brown leesburg hyundai leesburg va 20176”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2019
“Bought an used 2004 santa fe in august from a dealer. Two weeks ago I started noticing a strong smell of gas around my vehicle and last week I began seeing a small discolored area on the cement in the garage. Mom checked my vehicle and found that the my fuel tank is leaking. The discoloration of the cement under my vehicle is in fact leaking gas. Tank is corroded and I will need a new tank installed.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2019
“Air bag light keep on this vehicle 15 years old brakes also not like use to be I am own this suv last 15 years I need your help and support I am worry need to be fixed foe my safety [xxx] owner, c [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Wheels · Aug 2019
“The vehicle keeps won't start after pumping gas. It takes awhile, and stalls. Even stalled while driving, which terrifies me. I don't want to be out on the highway possibly risking an accident. I went to pepboys and spent $1800 on trying to figure out what the problem was, and its still doing the same thing. It happened more than once, and continues to happen.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2019
“Air bag warning light would come on during the morning drive then shut off next time the car was started. On/off perodically for about a week. Now the air bag warning light is on all the time. A glimspe online hint simlar owners haveing the same problem and they are saying it has something to do with the wiring.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2019
“Well my vehicle has experienced the ABS issue that has been recalled on other 04 santa fes as well as the corrosion from road salt to the coil springs. They are corroded and have completely snapped. My car is within the years and model for those recalls but it is not included in that recall,but I my vehicle is having those exact issues addressed in the recall”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2018
“Vehicle fuel tank is rotted and leaking fuel. Call hyundai and they say its covered under extended warranty for 15 years or 150000 miles. I am over on mileage. They say not covered. What does mileage have to do with corrosion?”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 32 of these complaints and injuries in 35 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 24, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
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.
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.
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."
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Santa FE by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Hyundai Santa FE reliable?
NHTSA has 303 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Hyundai Santa FE. The most complained-about area is suspension (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Hyundai Santa FE problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 77,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Hyundai Santa FE have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.