RoadVitals

2004 Hyundai Elantra Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
182
Latest Feb 1, 2024
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
26
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Feb 2, 2004

What this page shows

Our database holds 182 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Hyundai Elantra. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 182 · page 1 of 8

Suspension
Filed Feb 1, 2024

Rapid rusting of rear subframe cross member. Car rarely gets driven in snow or even bad weather. Went from minimal signs of rust to looking pretty rotted within the past year. Saw recalls on similar Hyundai vehicles. Maybe possible the same steel was used, or same lack of corrosion preventative.

NHTSA ID
11569185
Incident
Feb 1, 2024
Airbags
Filed Jun 14, 2019
Crash reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE 2004 HYUNDAI INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT ON THE STREET, THIS VEHICLE OWNER WAS BELTED WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THIS VEHICLE OWNER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES INCLUDING FRACTURED VERTEBRATE OF LUMBAR 1 AND 2 AND FRACTURED RIBS, NOTE NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED, THIS VEHICLE OWNER SIDE SWIPED A TREE AND SUSTAINED MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END, THIS VEHICLE OWNER WAS TREATED AT THE SCENE, TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR 7 DAYS; CURRENTLY, RECEIVING OUT PATIENT CARE WITH SCHEDULED MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, THIS VEHICLE OWNER IS NOT CLEARED TO RETURN TO WORK AT THIS TIME, AND FOR AT LEAST 9 WEEKS. THE FAULTY AIRBAGS FAILED TO KEEP THIS DRIVER SAFE, AND SEVERELY INJURED HIM. HE SUFFERED 2 BROKEN BACK BONES, A BROKEN RIB, SCRAPES AND BRUISES. ON TOP OF THE PHYSICAL TRAUMA, HE AND HIS FAMILY, WIFE AND TWO DAUGHTERS, ARE SUFFERING FROM EMOTIONAL TRAUMA. THE ACCIDENT IN ITSELF, SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THIS PHYSICAL TRAUMA, THE CAR DID NOT FLIP, TURN OVER, OR IMPACT ANY OTHER VEHICLES. THE DRIVER WAS NOT ON A HIGHWAY, BUT A COMMON STREET, SO HE WAS NOT TRAVELING OVER 40 MPH. THE INJURIES SUSTAINED ARE A DIRECT RESULT OF THE FAULTY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

NHTSA ID
11220188
Incident
Jun 3, 2019
Mileage
150,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 26, 2019

SRS (AIRBAG) SERVICE REMINDER INDICATOR CAME ON. I WENT TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE AND THEY RAN AN OBDII REPORT ON A BOSCH SCANNER. A B1448 OC (OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION) - PASSENGER SENSOR MAT DEFECT CAME BACK. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE 2006-2008 HYUNDAI SONATAS HAVE A RECALL ON. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR, TO DETECT A CHILD SEAT OR ADULT IN THE SEAT, MAY RECOGNIZE A SMALL ADULT AS A CHILD SEAT. IF THIS HAPPENS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED, THE RISK OF INJURY IN A CRASH MAY BE INCREASED. I WENT TO HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA HEADQUARTERS IN FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CALIFORNIA AT 3:45 ON JANUARY 17, 2019 AND LEFT MY CONTACT INFORMATION ON A CARD AT THE FRONT DESK REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD BE CONTACTED BUT TO DATE HAVE HAD NO REPLY FROM HMA. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 AS THIS PRESENTS THE SAME DANGER TO ELANTRA OCCUPANTS AS THE SONATA RECALL, HYUNDAI SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO OFFER THE SAME REPAIR EXTENSION (15 YEARS) AS THE SONATA HAS.

NHTSA ID
11182497
Incident
Jan 13, 2019
Mileage
137,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jul 25, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR FAILED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. UPON DECELERATION, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT DESCRIBED THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HAVING A "DEAD SPOT", THUS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. ON ONE OCCASION, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE RMPS THAT WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE WORN POSITION SENSOR. THE CONTACT INDEPENDENTLY REPLACED THE POSITIONING SENSOR. MILLENNIUM HYUNDAI (265 NORTH FRANKLIN ST, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ID
11113543
Incident
Aug 1, 2017
Mileage
105,000 mi
AirbagsInterior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Jun 25, 2018

I HAVE CONTACTED CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS TOLD IT'S STANDARD TO REMOVE A FRONT SEAT AND GIVE THE CAR BACK UNTIL THEY GET PARTS FOR THE RECALL I FEEL THIS COULD CAUSE AIR BAG SYSTEMS NOT TO BE ACTIVE AND ALSO WITHOUT THE SEAT THE CARS ABILITY TO HOLD UP IN A CRASH IS REDUCED DUE TO MISSING COMPONENTS THAT PROVIDE SOME STRUCTURAL SUPPORT ALL I HAVE REQUESTED WAS A RENTAL CAR FOR THE TIME IT TAKES TO PERFORM MY RECALL AS I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING A CAR WITHOUT A FRONT SEAT I HAVE HAD THE DEALER DECLINE MY REQUEST AND SAID IF I WANT IT DONE THE SEAT WILL BE REMOVED AND THE CAR GIVEN BACK TO ME IS THIS A SAFE PRACTICE FOR A DEALER TO REMOVE A SEAT THAT HAS ONE OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS IN IT AND ADVISE THE OWNER TO DRIVE THE CAR AS NORMAL? ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THIS COMPANY WILL BE MUCH APPRECIATED AND TO BE CLEAR THERE IS A ACTIVE AIR BAG LIGHT ON WITH A CODE THE RELATES TO OCCUPANCY DETECTION FOR PASSANGER FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS

NHTSA ID
11103705
Incident
Apr 19, 2018
Mileage
154,216 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 15, 2018

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND SUDDENLY WHILE TRYING TO CHANGE LANE THE STEERING FREEZES ON ME, THIS HAPPEN NOW FOR THE SECOND TIME.

NHTSA ID
11073136
Incident
Feb 15, 2018
Mileage
112,790 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 7, 2018

THE ANTILOCK MACHINE IS LOCKING THE WHEELS SO MUCH THAT STOPS THE CAR COMPLETELY RIGHT IN THE MIDLE OF THE TRAFFIC AND THE TIRES SMELL LIKE BURNING TIRES. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TWICE. I AM SO AFRAID THAT THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY, THAT I DO NOT DRIVE THERE, ONLY THE STREETS.

NHTSA ID
11067363
Incident
Feb 2, 2016
Mileage
68,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 1, 2018

MY 2004 ELANTRA GLS HAS THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: 1 - THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF SIGN STAYS ON, EVEN WITH MY WIFE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. 2 - THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD IS ALWAYS ON, AND MY HORN IS NOT WORKING, FOR THE LAST TWO / THREE WEEKS (NOV / DEC 2017).

NHTSA ID
11057833
Incident
Nov 1, 2017
Mileage
145,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 13, 2017

I WENT TO GET A SAFETY CHECK AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I COULDN'T GET IT BECAUSE MY AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. I LIVE ON A ISOLATED ISLAND THAT DOESN'T HAVE A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THE CAR DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR ISN'T GIVING ME A CALL BACK WHILE IN THE MEAN TIME I AM RIDING AROUND WITH A EXPIRED SAFETY CHECK AND IS FEARFUL OF GETTING CITED.

NHTSA ID
11045790
Incident
Oct 25, 2017
Airbags
Filed Nov 1, 2017

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. THIS CAR SHOULD BE UNDER THE 15 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE HYUNDAI DEALER WILL NOT LOOK AT THE CAR WITHOUT A FEE.

NHTSA ID
11042049
Incident
Sep 8, 2017
Fuel system
Filed Jun 5, 2017

WHILE FILLING UP THE GAS TANK THE STRAPS HOLDING THE GAS TANK BROKE AND NOW THE GAS TANK IS HANGING DOWN.IT LOOKS LIKE THE STRAPS ARE RUSTED THROUGH.I KNOW THE CAR IS OLD BUT TO HAVE BOTH STRAPS FAIL AT THE SAME TIME IS DANGEROUS. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A DESIGN OR MATERIAL FLAW BUT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO.

NHTSA ID
10993148
Incident
May 31, 2017
Mileage
105,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 30, 2017

WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF ON PASSENGER SIDE WHILE IN MOTION

NHTSA ID
10992314
Incident
Jan 1, 2004
Mileage
5 mi
Airbags
Filed May 23, 2017

I WAS TAKING MY DAD TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY HE SAT ON SEAT. I NOTICE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR DID NOT GO OFF . THE CAR WAS DRIVEN IN CITY AND ON HIGHWAY THANK GOD AIR BAGS WERE NOT NEEDED AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON DASH LATER THAT DAY . I CALLED BROADWAY HYUNDAI ON MONDAY THEY SAID IF AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH WAS ON AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. I TOOK CAR IN TO BROADWAY THEY TOLD ME AIRBAG SENSOR ON PASSENGER SEAT WAS SEVERED AND PART WOULD BE 1600.00 TO REPAIR. LATER THEY CALLED BACK AND SAID THEY COULD BUT USED SEAT IN FOR 297.32. I DIDN'T LIKE THAT BECAUSE SAME THING COULD HAPPEN AGAIN, BUT COULD NOR AFFORD 1600.00 FOR OME PART. I CALL HYUNDAI AND ASK THAT I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR DANGER MY DAD AND MYSELF WERE PUT IN AND REINVESTED REPAIR. THIS IS POOR WORKMANSHIP HAVING SHARP METAL RAILS AND CLIPS OVER PLASTIC WIRE MEMBRANE. NOT HAPPY WITH USED SEAT SAME THING COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND THIS PART COULD BE IN 1000 OF OTHER VEHICLE. A CASE WAS STARTED AND NO REPLY FOR HYUNDAI. A FAIR SETTLEMENT OF 1600.00 FOR CORRECT PART IF NEED IN FUTURE AND DANGER WE WERE PUT IN. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED OUT THERE COULD 1000 OF THIS DANGER ON ROAD TODAY AND SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT TAKE AIRBAG LIGHT SERIOUSLY. SEE ATTACH PHOTO TAKE BY REPAIR TECHNICIAN JEFF

NHTSA ID
10991317
Incident
May 1, 2017
Mileage
15 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 29, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG OFF INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V322000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10899175
Incident
Aug 29, 2016
AirbagsSeat beltsSuspension
Filed Apr 8, 2016

"TAKATA RECALL " WELL I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT VEHICLE RECALLS UNTIL THE DEATH OF A YOUNG GIRL AND A FEW OTHERS. MY CAR HAS PROBLEMS WITH IT WHEN I'M DRIVING TO WORK AT 4AM IN THE MORNING ABOUT 5 MILES THERE AND BACK AND ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IS MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON HAS BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS, MY SUSPENSION IS DANGEROUS AND MY SEAT BELT IS NOT SAFE BECAUSE IT SOME WHAT WORKS. I REALLY WANT TO BE SAFE AND I WANT MY FAMILY SAFE.

NHTSA ID
10854348
Incident
Feb 1, 2016
Mileage
17,102 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Aug 12, 2015
Crash reported4 injuries reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, SIDESWIPED A TREE, AND CRASHED INTO A SMALL DITCH. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE LIVER. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUFFERED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE LEFT LEG AND SUSTAINED A FRACTURED COLLAR BONE. IN ADDITION, BOTH REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS SUFFERED FROM SEAT BELT BURNS TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE NECK AND UNDERNEATH THE STOMACH AREA. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10748222
Incident
Aug 10, 2015
Airbags
Filed May 20, 2015

I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON BACK IN MAY 2004. NOW THE LIGHT ON THE DRIVER AIR BAG IS ON AND THE PASSENGER LIGHT FOR THE AIR BAG IS OFF. I AM CONCERNRD THST NEITHER AIR BAGS ARE NOT WORKING. WHAT SHOULD I DO? THERE HAS BEEN NO INCIDENT SO I WILL JUST PUT APPROX. DATE OF THE AIR BAG LIGHTS.

NHTSA ID
10717460
Incident
May 1, 2014
Mileage
25,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 17, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

HIT A TELEPHONE POLE GOING ABOUT 40MPH N THE AIRBAG WENT OFF ABOUT 5 SECONDS AFTER. MY NECK PAIN HAS GONE TO MY BACK AND HEAD N MY BODY IS BECOMING DEFORMED AND SHUTTING DOWN. I'M TRYING TO GET HELP BUT I GUESS I WAITED TOO LONG. I WAS INJURED N NEVER TREATED HOPING IT WOULD GO AWAY BUT IT DID NOT. THE AIRBAG WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY HELPED ME OUT! ALSO THIS WAS IN PENNSYLVANIA NOT OHIO.

NHTSA ID
10716916
Incident
Jan 20, 2012
Mileage
110,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 9, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

THE VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND "B" PILLAR SUFFICIENTLY TO SHATTER THE WINDOW, POP OPEN THE DOOR AND BEND THE B PILLAR. THE DOOR AND B PILLAR IMPACTED THE DRIVER BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED......UPDATED 05-27-15 *BF

NHTSA ID
10715481
Incident
May 8, 2015
Mileage
120,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 4, 2015

SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR I HAVE MAY PROBLEMS WITH ENTERING FUEL IN MY VEHICLE. IT TAKES AT LEAST 20 MINUTES TO FILL THE GAS TANK. I PUMP KEEP SHUTTING OFF AFTER PUTTING AT LEAST .50 IN. I CALLED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL BUT OF COURSE THERE IS NOT ONE. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON NOW I CAN IMAGINE HOW MUCH IT WILL COST ME TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS IN REGARD TO THE SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I SUGGEST NO ONE TO PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10714351
Incident
Jun 2, 2014
Airbags
Filed Apr 23, 2015

IT IS 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT. THE CAR IS NEVER BEEN ANY ACCIDENT BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON . THE SAME YEAR CAR HAS RECALL FOR AIRBAG LIGHT BUT NOT FOR THIS MODEL . I THINK HYUNDAI SHOULD RECALL THIS MODEL (2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT) AND FIX THE AIRBAG BEFORE ANY MAJOR ACCIDENT HAPPEN TO ANY OWNER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10712463
Incident
Apr 23, 2015
Mileage
48,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 9, 2015

THE AIR BAGS LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON MEANING THE MODULE IS NOT FUNCTIONING. I HAD THE CAR INSPECTED AND IT FAILED DUE TO THIS ISSUE. RECORDS SHOW A RECALL WAS REGISTERED IN 05. WELL HERE IT IS 10 YEARS LATER AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED AND SOMETHING OVERLOOKED. IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD REGARDING MY LIFE AND OTHERS AS WELL NOT KNOWING IF THESE AIR BAGS DEPLOY OR NOT WHILE I'M ON THE ROAD. I NEED THIS RESOLVED QUICKLY. THEY NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME SO WHY'S IT HAPPENING AGAIN? *TR

NHTSA ID
10682316
Incident
Jan 26, 2015
Mileage
64,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 22, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

CAR SLID ON SNOW HIT TREE AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. NEITHER FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYED!!!! PASSENGER HIT AND SHATTERED WINDSHIELD. DRIVER HIT STEERING WHEEL. CAR TOTAL LOSS!!!!.....UPDATED 02-03-15 *BF

NHTSA ID
10678222
Incident
Jan 16, 2015
Mileage
82,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 13, 2015
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE SKIDDED AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10672062
Incident
Jan 12, 2015
Mileage
131,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 22, 2014

AROUND JULY OF 2008 I NOTICED THE CLEAR COAT ON THE ROOF,TRUNK,AND FENDERS START TO DELAMINATE. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 100,000 MILES AND WAS WAXED EVERY SIX MONTHS OR SO. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST MY CAR WHICH IS BLACK, UNTIL I SAW THREE MORE CARS OF THE SAME COLOR DO THE SAME IN THE EXACT SAME SPOTS. IS THIS NORMAL FOR THE CLEAR COAT TO PEEL OFF OR NOT AT 4 YEARS OLD AND LESS THAN 100,000 MILES? *TR

NHTSA ID
10584303
Incident
Jul 1, 2008
Mileage
70,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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