2004 Hyundai Sonata: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 202 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 202 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“2004 Hyundai Sonata GLS front sub frame (K Frame) has rusted out but I guess for certain VIN numbers there was a recall. Mine has the same issue and has caused suspension issues with the control arms and axles, subframe has snapped due to rusting in Michigan.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2026
“On February, 16th 2026, I took my vehicle into the Automotive shop for an oil change. They inspected the car as well and they found that the front passenger side of the vehicle subframe has a substantial amount of the metal rusted through. The file attached was a photo of the repair invoice from Luke's Auto in Upper Arlington, OH. I see that there is an open safety recall for this exact issue on the 2004 Hyundai Sonata. Although this recall was sent out in 2009, am I able to take this to a local Hyundai dealership to have this fixed?”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2026
“My 2004 sonata which was manufactured 05/07/04. has front frame corrosion exactly like the 089 safety recall that hyundia issued already for 1998-2003. My car was manufactured a few months later and they are denying the repair because it doesn't fall in their production dates.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2025
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“UNKNOWN, I recently purchased it from a dealership in Lemon Grove Cailfornia. Ever since I bought it,it has never had a catalytic converter and only one muffler. It is a 2.7L motor DOHC and requires 2 catalytic converters and dual exhaust due to the double overhead cam. It has cause motor oil into my engine block and has coughed my heater core. Also blown head gasket. I have hired certified ASE mechanics to replace parts and then I run into another problem.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2023
“The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic, she was informed that the subframe was severely corroded. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V124000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2022
“The front subframe has a hole in it it rusted for some reason and upon research there was a recall on this particular issue but now there isn't one. I went to two dealerships and they informed me that Hyundai had recalls on this issue that's why I'm confused on why when I search by my VIN there isn't any open recalls. Just because they isn't any open recalls on this doesn't mean that people aren't still experiencing this issue.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2022
“The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated and the fog lights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to the dealer. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2022
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 hyundai sonata. The contact stated that while at the local dealer faulkner hyundai (11500 roosevelt blvd, philadelphia) for routine maintenance, it was discovered that the k-frame had sustained severe rusting and corrosion. The cause of the failure was not determined and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,000.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2021
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2021
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2021
When filing, owners marked a crash in 22 of these complaints and injuries in 32 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 188,282 MY 2001-2004 SONATA AND MY 2001-2004 XG300 AND XG350 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE JURISDICTIONS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME ON THE VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT IN THINNING OR PERFORATION OF THE SUB-FRAME STEEL. THE CORROSION IS FREQUENTLY VISIBLE AND OFTEN DISCOVERED DURING INSPECTION OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND OWNERS MAY ALSO HEAR NOISES OR NOTICE TIRE MISALIGNMENT AND STEERING PULL. IF THESE SIGNALS ARE UNDETECTED OR UNHEEDED, THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS AND THE FORWARD MOUNTING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY DETACH FROM THE SUB-FRAME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MEASURE THE THICKNESS OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME AND INSPECT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME FOR CORROSION DAMAGE AND, IF NECESSARY, THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW SUB-FRAME THAT INCORPORATES ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME DOES NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE SUB-FRAME AND WILL TREAT THE SUB-FRAME WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIAL TO STOP THE CORROSION PROCESS. THIS PROCEDURE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2004 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sonata 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 Sonata reliable?
NHTSA has 202 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The most complained-about area is air bags (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Hyundai Sonata problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 89,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Hyundai Sonata have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning suspension. 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.