The Lemon Index2004 Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe is better than average by owner complaints: 74 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 78, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 17 to 20 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Santa Fe year is 2016.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 303 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Hyundai Santa Fe 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 29K to 111K miles on the car (248 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- suspension complaints mostly came at 68K–116K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 61K–140K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 5K–117K miles
Recalls 3
- suspension 2014
The affected vehicles may experience front coil spring corrosion from road s.
- brakes 2004
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…
- equipment 2003
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.".
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 77 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Automatic transaxle oil leak between transaxle and transfer case
- Radiator fan motor connector service part
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Hyundai Santa fe sudden acceleration, enging racing while braking.
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe owner · NHTSA complaint 10097384
More owner reports
While at a stop vehicle surged forward . Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
NHTSA complaint 10087194
2004 Hyundai Santa fe brakes made grinding noise in slow traffic and wet conditions.
NHTSA complaint 10148673
Quick answers
Is the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.3× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 78; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Santa Fe year by this measure is 2016.
What are the most common 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (23%), speed control (22%) and engine (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
3 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe get?
17 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 29,200 and 111,800 miles. The middle report was at 72,500 miles, from 248 complaints.
Does the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Hyundai Santa Fe year is better than the 2004?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2016, 2015 and 2018.
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