The Lemon Index2004 Hyundai Elantra.
The 2004 Hyundai Elantra is worse than average by owner complaints: 119 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 120, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 24 to 26 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Elantra year is 2015.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 182 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Hyundai Elantra year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 75K miles on the car (112 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 0K–63K miles
Recalls 5
- airbags 2005
CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM.
- airbags 2005
CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM.
- fuel system, gasoline 2004
DURING AN INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY (IIHS) OFFSET FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACT TEST, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT FUEL TAN DAMAGE COULD OCCUR.
Show all 5 recalls
- fuel system, gasoline 2004
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…
- airbags 2003
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 58 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Higher-than-expected engine oil
- Higher-than-expected engine oil consumption
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedPost-crash fuel tank leak2004
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2450–2700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
2004 Hyundai Elantra passenger air bag off light remains on.
2004 Hyundai Elantra owner · NHTSA complaint 10148696
More owner reports
While driving 35-45 mph and turning to the left consumer's vehicle was involved in a side impact crash. Seat belt didn't hold the driver, and air bags did not deploy. A police report was issued.
NHTSA complaint 10063162
The passenger side air bag light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic claimed that vehicle was working as designed.
NHTSA complaint 10079756
Quick answers
Is the 2004 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 120; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Elantra year by this measure is 2015.
What are the most common 2004 Hyundai Elantra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (70%), seat belts (7%) and engine (5%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Hyundai Elantra have?
5 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Hyundai Elantra get?
24 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Hyundai Elantra problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 2,200 and 75,800 miles. The middle report was at 30,500 miles, from 112 complaints.
Does the 2004 Hyundai Elantra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 5% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Hyundai Elantra cost in fuel a year?
About $2450 to $2700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Hyundai Elantra have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Hyundai Elantra year is better than the 2004?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2015, 2014 and 2016.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works