2004 Hyundai SONATA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
202 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
85,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 154 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 53 of 202 complaints (26.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 27 | 13.4% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 5.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 3.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 3.0% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 3.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 2.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 53 |
| Air Bags | 43 |
| Structure:Body | 22 |
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Steering | 13 |
| Structure | 13 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 11 |
Suspension: 53; Air Bags: 43; Structure:Body: 22; Electrical System: 14; Steering: 13; Structure: 13; Unknown Or Other: 12; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 11
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 19 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 18 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 28 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 28 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 45 |
| 150,000 and above | 16 |
Under 25,000: 19; 25,000 to 49,999: 18; 50,000 to 74,999: 28; 75,000 to 99,999: 28; 100,000 to 149,999: 45; 150,000 and above: 16
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (45). 48 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2009 | 21 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2015 | 17 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2004: 5; 2005: 8; 2006: 11; 2007: 4; 2008: 10; 2009: 21; 2010: 12; 2011: 10; 2012: 6; 2013: 11; 2014: 20; 2015: 17; 2016: 15; 2017: 11; 2018: 6; 2019: 11; 2020: 3; 2021: 4; 2022: 7; 2023: 5; 2024: 1; 2025: 2; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10089442 · 2004-09-21 (September 21, 2004)
WHILE PARKED FUEL FUMES ESCAPED FROM THE VEHICLE. *AK TANK AND SEALS WHERE REPLACED PROBLEM STILL OCCURED. *TC
Owner-reported narrative. 3,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10089442 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090393 · 2004-09-03 (September 3, 2004)
VEHICLE STALLED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE THROTTLE SENSOR THE FIRST TIME, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. CONSUMER HAD A CONCERN OF PICKING THE VEHICLE UP. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 272 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090393 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090956 · 2004-09-14 (September 14, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING ON I97, A VW CABRIOLET CHANGED FROM 2/3 OF EXIT TO RIGHT TO PULLING DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME PERPENDICULAR. I VEER TO LEFT, JAMMED ON BRAKES BUT HIT HIS DRIVER SIDE DOOR (ORIGIN SPEED 50-55 MPH) THEN CONTINUUED INTO A STEEL GUARDRAIL HEAD ON, THEN PULLED OUT MOST OF THE RAIL AND JOLTED TO A STOP AT AN ANGLE ABOVE A DROP OFF. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NOT FRONT OR SIDE AIRBAGS. WE WERE LUCKY TO WALK AWAY WITH BRUISES, CUTS, AND EMOTIONAL TRAUMA. ANOTHER FAMILY MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10090956 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10098455 · 2004-11-08 (November 8, 2004)
2004 HYUNDAI SONATA WAS INVOLVED IN A SEVERE SIDE IMPACT, STRUCK BY A DODGE DURANGO. IMPACT WAS CENTERED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND RESULTED IN AN APPROXIMYATE 1 FOOT OF INTRUSION. MAX CRUSH OCCURRED JUST FORWARD OF THE B-PILLAR. B-PILLAR WAS PUSHED INTO THE SEAT AND THE LEADING EDGE OF THE DOOR WAS PUSHED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE HEAD/THORAX BAG LOCATED IN THE DRIVERS SEAT DID NOT DEPLOY. NHTSA SHOULD INSPECT THIS TO SEE WHY THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE TYPE OF IMPACT IN WHICH THE SIDE AIR BAGS WERE DE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10098455 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10105121 · 2004-12-20 (December 20, 2004)
CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BECAME UNATTACHED IN THE COLLISION.*AK THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL BY CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10105121 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10107487 · 2005-01-18 (January 18, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A FRONT ALIGNMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 95 miles reported. Look up ODI 10107487 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10109755 · 2005-02-03 (February 3, 2005)
AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10109755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10110546 · 2005-02-15 (February 15, 2005)
MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN DECEMBER 2004, WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 HYUNDAI SONOTA. TRAFFICE WAS HEAVY AND A DRIVER, 3 CARS AHEAD, SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES AS ALL THOSE BEHIND HER DID. I HAD AMPLE TIME TO STOP BUT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES REPEATEDLY KEPT TURNING. MY CAR CONTINUED TO HIT THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME AND MY CAR ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB ON THE BACK OF THE OTHER CAR. THE REPETITIVE HITTING OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY CAR. THE BRAKES OF BEEN CHECKED THREE TIMES, THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AT INTERMITTENT T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10110546 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
09V124000 · Suspension
Reported: 2009-04-16 (April 16, 2009)
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.
Consequence: IF THAT HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE MAY LOSE DRIVE POWER TO THE WHEELS, AND THE FRONT WHEEL MAY MAKE CONTACT WITH THE FENDER OR WHEEL WELL, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗