Is the 2004 Hyundai Elantra a bad year?
182 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Elantra years.
Keep it. You picked a good year.
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Hyundai Elantra are in line with other Elantra years. Air bags stands out for this year: see below.
3th quietest of 20 Elantra years by owner complaints (years with 7+ years on the road).
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Elantra owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 19,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 114 (63%) | 1k–62k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 14 (8%) | 8k–81k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 8 (4%) | 16k–78k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Speed control | 7 (4%) | 21k–66k miles · ahead | — |
| Suspension | 7 (4%) | 79k–129k miles · ahead | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Steering | 5 (3%) | 40k–149k miles · ahead | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Seat belts | 12 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 19,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 182 complaints: 24 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 18 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Feb 2024.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2004 Hyundai Elantra: 5
Certain vehicles equipped with an advanced air bag system. The occupant classification system (OCS) installed in the right front seat of the vehicle may misclassify a child restraint seat (Crs) as an adult. This may occur if the crs is installed after an adult has been seated in the right front seat. The possibility of misclassification of a crs as an adult may allow the right front airbag or side impact airbag to deploy in a crash and could result in injury to the right front occupant.
Certain vehicles equipped with an advanced air bag system. The occupant classification system (OCS) installed in the right front seat of the vehicle may misclassify a child restraint seat (Crs) as an adult. This may occur if the crs is installed after an adult has been seated in the right front seat. The possibility of misclassification of a crs as an adult may allow the right front airbag or side impact airbag to deploy in a crash and could result in injury to the right front occupant.
During an insurance institute for highway safety (Iihs) offset frontal barrier impact test, it was determined that fuel tan damage could occur. On certain passenger vehicles, a vapor tube hose clamp that is located near the fuel tank may not be positioned properly and could cause fuel leakage. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
During an insurance institute for highway safety (Iihs) offset frontal barrier impact test on certain passenger vehicles, fuel spillage occurred as a result of fuel tank damage caused by contact between a vapor tube hose clamp ear and the fuel tank. In the event of a crash, damage to the vehicle could cause the mispositioned clamp to puncture the fuel tank causing fuel leakage. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
On certain vehicles, if the front passenger seat is unoccupied or is occupied by someone lighter than 56.4 pounds, the passenger air bag is deactivated and will not deploy if a crash occurs. In the event of a vehicle crash, the air bag may not deploy, possibly resulting in serious injury to the right front passenger.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Hyundai: 30
Repair instructions Hyundai sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Hyundai Elantra. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Ata solenoid diagnostic trouble codes P0740, P0741, P0742, P0743, P0746, P0748, P0750, P0755, P0760, P0765, P0770
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Post-crash fuel tank leak
Neighbouring years
2003 Elantra: 234 complaints, keep it · 2005 Elantra: 137 complaints, keep it.
Every Hyundai Elantra year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Elantra years side by side
Other Hyundai models: Hyundai Accent · Hyundai Azera · Hyundai Elantra Touring · Hyundai Entourage · Hyundai Genesis · Hyundai Genesis Coupe · Hyundai Ioniq 5 · Hyundai Kona · Hyundai Kona Electric · Hyundai Palisade · Hyundai Santa Cruz · Hyundai Santa Fe · Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid · Hyundai Santa Fe Sport · Hyundai Sonata · Hyundai Sonata Hybrid · Hyundai Tiburon · Hyundai Tucson · Hyundai Tucson Hybrid · Hyundai Veloster · Hyundai Veracruz · Hyundai XG350. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2004 Hyundai Elantra a bad year?
182 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Elantra years. At 19,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Hyundai Elantra?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: air bags (114), engine (14), brakes (8), speed control (7), suspension (7).
How many recalls does the 2004 Hyundai Elantra have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 05V-479), Air bags (NHTSA 05V-395), Fuel system (NHTSA 04V-370), Fuel system (NHTSA 04V-208) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.