2004 Hyundai Elantra problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (51) · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/Control Module (34) · Air Bags:frontal (15)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Elantra model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
112 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (58)
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 58 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-02-01 · Unknown Or Other“rapid rusting of rear subframe cross member. car rarely gets driven in snow or even bad weather. went from minimal signs of rust to looking pretty rotted within the past year. saw recalls on similar hyundai vehicles. maybe possible the same steel was used, or same lack of corrosion preventative.…”
2019-06-14 · Air Bags · 150,000 mi · 💥 crash“vehicle 2004 hyundai involved in accident on the street, this vehicle owner was belted when the accident occurred, the airbags deployed, this vehicle owner sustained severe injuries including fractured vertebrate of lumbar 1 and 2 and fractured ribs, note no other vehicle was involved, this vehicle owner side swiped a tree and sustained minimal dam…”
2019-02-26 · Air Bags · 137,000 mi“srs (airbag) service reminder indicator came on. i went to an auto parts store and they ran an obdii report on a bosch scanner. a b1448 oc (occupant classification) - passenger sensor mat defect came back. this is the same problem that the 2006-2008 hyundai sonatas have a recall on. the front passenger seat sensor, to detect a child seat or adu…”
2018-07-25 · Vehicle Speed Control · 105,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2004 hyundai elantra. while driving various speeds, the throttle positioning sensor failed on more than one occasion. upon deceleration, the vehicle accelerated without warning. the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle accelerated rapidly. in addition, the contact described the brake pedal as having a "dead spot"…”
2018-06-25 · Seats · 154,216 mi“i have contacted customer care and was told it's standard to remove a front seat and give the car back until they get parts for the recall i feel this could cause air bag systems not to be active and also without the seat the cars ability to hold up in a crash is reduced due to missing components that provide some structural support all i have requ…”
2018-02-15 · Steering · 112,790 mi“i was driving to work and suddenly while trying to change lane the steering freezes on me, this happen now for the second time.…”
2018-02-07 · Service Brakes · 68,000 mi“the antilock machine is locking the wheels so much that stops the car completely right in the midle of the traffic and the tires smell like burning tires. i had the car towed twice. i am so afraid that this happens while driving in the highway, that i do not drive there, only the streets. …”
2018-01-01 · Air Bags · 145,000 mi“my 2004 elantra gls has the following problems: 1 - the passenger airbag off sign stays on, even with my wife in the passenger seat. 2 - the airbag light on my dashboard is always on, and my horn is not working, for the last two / three weeks (nov / dec 2017).…”
2017-11-13 · Air Bags“i went to get a safety check and they told me that i couldn't get it because my air bag light was on. i live on a isolated island that doesn't have a hyundai dealership and the car dealership where i bought the car isn't giving me a call back while in the mean time i am riding around with a expired safety check and is fearful of getting cited.…”
2017-11-01 · Air Bags“air bag light is on. this car should be under the 15 year extended warranty for this problem. the hyundai dealer will not look at the car without a fee.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.