Is the 2004 Hyundai Sonata a bad year?
202 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Sonata years.
Keep it. You picked a good year.
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Hyundai Sonata are in line with other Sonata years. Suspension, body structure and air bags stand out for this year: see below.
4th quietest of 20 Sonata 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 Sonata 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 106,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 56 (28%) | 78k–148k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 47 (23%) | 74k–123k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 46 (23%) | 54k–110k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 17 (8%) | 28k–110k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 16 (8%) | 14k–108k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Engine | 10 (5%) | 26k–130k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel system | 8 (4%) | 82k–134k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Latches and locks | 12 (6%) | 40k–85k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 10 (5%) | 10k–98k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 13 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 13 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 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 106,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 202 complaints: 22 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 23 report an injury · 4 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Apr 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2004 Hyundai Sonata: 1
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. 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.
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: 31
Repair instructions Hyundai sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Hyundai Sonata. 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
Front sub-frame corrosion
Neighbouring years
2003 Sonata: 199 complaints, keep it · 2005 Sonata: 165 complaints, keep it.
Every Hyundai Sonata 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 Sonata 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 · Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid · Hyundai Santa Fe Sport · 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 Sonata a bad year?
202 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Sonata years. At 106,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Hyundai Sonata?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: suspension (56), body structure (47), air bags (46), electrical system (17), brakes (16).
How many recalls does the 2004 Hyundai Sonata have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 09V-124). 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.