Photo: IFCAR / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2004 Hyundai Sonata: common problems and reliability
One of the better Sonata years.
202 owner complaints, most about suspension. 1 recall.
Should I buy a 2004 Sonata?The 2004 Hyundai Sonata has 202 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are suspension and structure.
Safety record for the 2004 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 Hyundai Sonata vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Sonata years only. How we score it
Is 2004 a good year for the Sonata?
Across the 30 Sonata model years we track, complaint volume runs from 29 (1996) to 3,472 (2011). With 202 complaints, the 2004 Sonata sits about the same as the model's median of 223.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2004 Sonata
suspension
Campaign 09V124000HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 188,282 MY 2001-2004 SONATA AND MY 2001-2004 XG300 AND XG350 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 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. THE CORROSION IS FREQUENTLY VISIBLE AND OFTEN DISCOVERED DURING INSPECTION OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND OWNERS MAY ALSO HEAR NOISES OR NOTICE TIRE MISALIGNMENT AND STEERING PULL. IF THESE SIGNALS ARE UNDETECTED OR UNHEEDED, THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS AND THE FORWARD MOUNTING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY DETACH FROM THE SUB-FRAME.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided by generation and powertrain, creating a high-risk, high-reward ownership profile.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Sonata. See the full Sonata owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Sonata listings typically run $10,598–$20,175.
Other Sonata model years
Compare every Sonata year side by side to see how 2004 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Sonata against its rivals
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