The Lemon Index2004 Hyundai Sonata.
The 2004 Hyundai Sonata is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 28 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 31, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 1 recall, and it gets 20 to 23 mpg combined. It's the best Hyundai Sonata year we track.
One of the most reliable. 3.2× fewer complaints than average.
Worst year 2011
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 202 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Hyundai Sonata 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 51K to 120K miles on the car (154 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 75K–148K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 73K–124K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 53K–110K miles
Recalls 1
- suspension 2009
HYUNDAI 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, MASS…
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 54 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Water leak between the taillight lenses and the body, resulting in a leak into the trunk area
- Abs pump self check noise
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedFront sub-frame corrosion2008–2009
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 $2800–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Consumer applied the brakes, and the pedal went to the floor while traveling 40 mph. Consumer's vehicle rear ended another vehicle. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy driver's seat belt became unattached in the collision.
2004 Hyundai Sonata owner · NHTSA complaint 10105121
More owner reports
Near accident report due to a possible brake lock up of the 2004 Hyundai Sonata.
NHTSA complaint 10137743
Quick answers
Is the 2004 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 3.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 31; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Sonata year by this measure since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2004 Hyundai Sonata problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (21%), brakes (18%) and wheels (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Hyundai Sonata have?
1 safety recall (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 Sonata get?
20 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Hyundai Sonata problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 51,600 and 120,000 miles. The middle report was at 85,500 miles, from 154 complaints.
Does the 2004 Hyundai Sonata have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Hyundai Sonata cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Hyundai Sonata have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
What Hyundai Sonata year is better than the 2004?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2019 and 2014.
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