2004 Hyundai Accent problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (5) · Power Train:automatic Transmission (3) · Air Bags:frontal (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Accent model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
23 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (40)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DL · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn). these inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehi
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DCS · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn), that have been identified in u.s. vehicles following prior
Exterior Lighting 2025-11-06 · 25-BD-012H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (drl), or fog lamp. this tsb illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. lamp assembly replacement is not necessary
Visibility/Wiper 2024-02-14 · 24-BD-001H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all models. if the protective cover is not removed correctly, there is a possibility of the rubber insert and rail spring becoming partially separated on the inner side of the wiper blade, w
Showing the 6 most recent of 40 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-04-23 · Vehicle Speed Control · 67,505 mi“sudden acceleration of vehicle while driving on road at regular speed. this has happened now for the third time since october 2017. the latest incident on 4/23/2018.…”
2016-08-15 · Suspension:rear · 95,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2004 hyundai accent. while driving 35 mph, a severe vibration was felt from the rear wheels. the contact pulled the vehicle over and observed that the rear control arm was severely corroded. the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the fai…”
2015-11-30 · Air Bags · 79,000 mi · 💥 crash · 🔥 fire“takata recall on 11/29/2015 driving on pennsylvania turnpike going 60-65 mph vehicle in front stopped. impact totaled car. hood crumbled up, headlight with complete housing destroyed, radiator spilled fluid, engine caught on fire and my head hit windshield. no weather issues. accident occurred around 12:30 pm. police report was filed and car towe…”
2015-08-07 · Steering“tl* the contact owns a 2004 hyundai accent. the contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 mph, the power steering warning light illuminate. the contact stated that while turning left, the steering wheel seized. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where an unknown part was replaced but the failure recurred. the failure mileage was unkno…”
2015-07-09 · Air Bags · 82,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owned a 2004 hyundai accent. while driving approximately 30 mph, another vehicle rear ended the contact's vehicle. the air bags deployed; however, the contact sustained burns on the arm that required medical attention. it was unknown which air bag caused the injuries. the vehicle was destroyed. a police report was filed. the approxi…”
2014-10-09 · Visibility/Wiper · 32,000 mi“wife, 64,was driving our one-owner 2004 hyundai accent gl on private road approx 15 mph when airbags deployed without any impact of any sort to vehicle. wife was badly bruised on arms and face and windshield was shattered by passenger side airbag cover when bags deployed. we were fortunate that she was not on busy street or on interstate as this …”
2014-07-28 · Air Bags · 30,000 mi · 💥 crash“while driving over a speed bump the driver was distracted by children playing in street. the driver veered right striking a telephone pole head on. the air bags failed to deploy. driver not seriously injured, however the vehicle was total. *js…”
2012-09-25 · Wheels · 2,466 mi“at 2,466 miles, car pulls to right, and is difficult to hold steady when turning at high speeds. taken to burlingame hyundai dealer for repair. tires were rotated. problem not resolved. at 4,782 miles car was brought in again for steering difficulty, feels like there is a tire going flat. found that left front wheel was bent. tires rotated agai…”
2011-02-04 · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System · 85,000 mi“the heater fan in the car would only work on high speed. it was a continual occurrence, therefore it was difficult to control the interior heat and defroster. it was repaired by replacing the speed control switch. the mechanic showed me what had failed on the switch were two receptacles where the metal was should have been solid but had gotten so …”
2010-06-30 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 36,000 mi“i own a 2004 hyundai accent. for the past 3 years the transmission has had significant issues. the automatic transmission will randomly slam into a lower gear or will get stuck in a gear. this causes safety issues during winter driving because the vehicle lurches forward at times when shifting. while attempting to enter into traffic, the car wi…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.