Is the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe a bad year?
303 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Santa Fe years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe are in line with other Santa Fe years. Suspension, air bags, brakes and 1 more stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Santa Fe 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 91,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 69 (23%) | 70k–114k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 43 (14%) | 62k–139k miles · around this mileage | — |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 43 (14%) | 14k–100k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 40 (13%) | 71k–135k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 39 (13%) | 5k–116k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 36 (12%) | 24k–102k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 21 (7%) | 23k–104k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 18 (6%) | 24k–119k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 12 (4%) | 68k–144k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 11 (4%) | 57k–125k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Seat belts | 8 (3%) | 67k–120k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Wheels | 7 (2%) | 64k–167k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Visibility and wipers | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Latches and locks | 5 (2%) | 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 91,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 303 complaints: 32 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 27 report an injury · 6 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Dec 2023.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
This vehicle was driven approx. 1/2 mile from home when power steering and brakes failed. It was pulled off of the road and stopped with the emergency brake.
I've owned 2 santa fe's in a row (2001 & 2004). Both had engine failures around 60,000 miles (Both on freeway).
My pregnant wife was driving down the highway. There was no accident. There were no warning signs before it was to late.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 91,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe: 3
The affected vehicles may experience front coil spring corrosion from road salt, causing the coil spring to fracture and make contact with the tire. If the front coil spring fractures due to corrosion it could cause the coil spring to make contact with the tire, possibly puncturing the tire and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.5 liter V-6 engines, 4-WHEEL drive and antilock braking systems (ABS), if the brake pedal is depressed at speeds between 3 and 12 MPH when the brake pad friction surfaces are wet… If an extended stopping distance occurs, it could result in a crash.
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, "Tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars." The tire pressure labels do not contain the information required by the standard.
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 Santa Fe. 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
Neighbouring years
2003 Santa Fe: 308 complaints, keep it · 2005 Santa Fe: 216 complaints, keep it.
Every Hyundai Santa Fe year
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 Santa Fe years side by side
Other Hyundai models: Hyundai Accent · Hyundai Azera · Hyundai Elantra · 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 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 Santa Fe a bad year?
303 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Santa Fe years. At 91,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: suspension (69), air bags (43), brakes (43), fuel system (40), speed control (39).
How many recalls does the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 14V-435), Brakes (NHTSA 04V-131), Equipment (NHTSA 03V-520). 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.