2004 Hyundai Elantra Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Hyundai Elantra, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags11455.9%
- Seat belts167.8%
- Engine167.8%
- Brakes83.9%
- Driver assistance73.4%
- Suspension73.4%
- Steering52.5%
- Transmission52.5%
- Electrical52.5%
- Interior & seats42.0%
- Fuel system42.0%
- Body & structure31.5%
- Tires & wheels31.5%
- Exterior lighting21.0%
- Other / unspecified21.0%
- Powertrain (other)21.0%
- Visibility10.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
"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.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
HAVE 2004 ELANTRA W/ 77,000 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE STARTING CAR IN AM. CAR HAS NO SYMPTOMS OF BAD PLUGS,02 SENSOR, OR CATALYTIC CONV. ISSUES. RUNS FINE, NO DIFFERENT. I HAVE THE CAR CHECKED DIAGNOSTICALLY AND THEY SAID THE 02 NEEDED CHANGING AND NEW P;LUGS / WIRES. THE WIRES/ PLUGS ARENT DUE FOR ANOTHER 30K MILES WE THOUGHT, AND THE CAR RUNNING FINE! WAS WAITING TO HAVE THIS SERVICE DONE AS WE WERE GIVEN A $613.00 QUOTE! IN MEANTIME THE CHECK LIGHT WENT OFF AND CAR RUNNING FINE! IT HAD JUST HAD THEOIIL CHANGED AND A NEW AIR FILTER WHEN THIS OCCURED, AND NEW GAS. IT SEEMED WHEN THE CAR WAS ALMOST OUT OF GAS( I LET IT RUN LOW) I PUT A BETTER GRADE FROM ANOTHER STATION AND THIS IS WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF! WHY WOULD THIS OCCURE IF IT IS NEEDING PLUGS, 02 SENSORS??? ALSO NO TROUBLE, ROUGHNESS OR IDLE TROUBLE, OR POWER LOSS WITH THIS CAR. COULD IT BE BAD GAS, AIRFILTER ISSUES?? PLEASE HELP!! *JS
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL ON AND A CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT THE BRAKES AND MY CAR ACCELERATED. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STOPPED. ALSO THE AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT GO OFF WITH AN ADULT IN THE FRONT SEAT. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
"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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND SUDDENLY WHILE TRYING TO CHANGE LANE THE STEERING FREEZES ON ME, THIS HAPPEN NOW FOR THE SECOND TIME.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
CLUTCH FAILURE AT 52,792 MILES. I OWN 3 OTHER CARS ; FORD, HONDA, AND CHEVROLET WITH CLUTCHES WELL OVER 120,000 MILES. IT IS NOT A RESULT OF MY DRIVING. HYUNDAI WOULD NOT REPLACE. NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY.*AK
I PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW IN MARCH 2004. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1994 HYUNDAI EXCEL WHICH I ALSO PURCHASED NEW. THE DURABILITY OF THE EXCEL AND THE WARRANTY ON THE ELANTRA WERE THE REASON I CHOSE TO BUY IT. AT 13,000 MILES IN APRIL, 2005, THE CLUTCH ON THE ELANTRA BEGAN SLIPPING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CLUTCH IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. IT IS COVERED ONLY UNDER A 12,000 MILE WARRANTY. AFTER NEGOTIATION WITH THE MANAGEMENT, THE DEALERSHIP AGREED TO COVER 50% OF THE REPAIR. THIS WAS ACCEPTABLE AT THAT TIME AND THE PROBLEM APPEARED TO BE CORRECTED. IT IS NOW AUGUST, 2006, AND THIS VEHICLE HAS 33,066 MILES ON IT AND CLUTCH #2 IS WEARING OUT. STARTING OUT IN LOW GEAR IS DIFFICULT, THE CLUTCH SLIPS IN THE LOWER GEARS (2 AND 3) AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS EXTREMELY STIFF. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE PERFORMS OK. I AM AFRAID TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER SINCE THEY ARE MORE THAN LIKELY GOING TO PUT THE SAME PIECE OF JUNK CLUTCH IN AS A REPLACEMENT TO THIS ONE. I HAVE TALKED TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY CAN USE A NON-OEM PART TO REPLACE. THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH THIS SOLUTION IS THAT THE COST IS GOING TO BE +$1000 VERSUS THE $800+ THAT THE DEALER WILL CHARGE AND THE USE OF THE NON-OEM PART MAY VOID THE VEHICLE WARRANTY. I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT A FEW OTHER FACTS: THE 1994 EXCEL WENT TO 122,000 MILES BEFORE NEEDING ITS CLUTCH REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT CLUTCH WAS STILL IN THE CAR WHEN IT WAS TRADED IN AT 176,000 MILES. MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING STANDARD SHIFT VEHICLES EXCLUSIVELY SINCE 1990, SO I DON'T WANT ANYONE AT HYUNDAI SUGGESTING THAT WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE A STANDARD SHIFT VEHICLE. I CURRENTLY DRIVE A 1997 PLYMOUTH A 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION. ITS CLUTCH WAS REPLACED IN APRIL 2006 WITH AT 135,000 MILES. MY WIFE, WHO IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF THE HYUNDAI IS A PROFESSIONAL BUS DRIVER. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING TO FLORIDA ON I95 USING CRUISE CONTROL TRAFFIC BEGAN TO BACK UP IN THE RICHMOND AREA SO THE WIFE HIT THE BRAKES. CAR DID NOT DISENGAGE BUT RATHER SPED UP TO THE CONTROL SETTING. REPEATEDLY HITTING THE BRAKES HAD NO EFFECT SO WE HAD TO MANUALLY DISENGAGE THE UNIT. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER OF PURCHASE AS WELL AS TO THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER WITH NO RESOLUTION OTHER THAN TO PAY FOR THEM TO HUNT DOWN THE PROBLEM. I WAS ABLE TO FIND THAT THE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALL BRAKE LIGHTS AND WILL TEMPORARILY FIX ITSELF IF I HIT THE WIRING HARNESS IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS.. IT IS NOT DUE TO A FAULTY BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH. THIS WAS REPORTED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIPS WITH THE SAME RESULT THEN TO HYUNDAI USA ON NOV 4, 2010 CASE NUMBER [XXX]. HYUNDAI MAINTAINS IT IS A SERVICE ISSUE AND NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT MY ONLY RECOURSE IS TO PAY THE DEALER TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. I INFORMED THEM THAT IF THEY GOOGLE HYUNDAI BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEMS THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE REPORTING LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS WHO MAY BE UNAWARE THAT THEIR CRUISE CONTROL MAY DISENGAGE. THEY HAVE CLOSED THE CASE SO I AM REQUESTING THAT THIS BE PUT ON RECORD. CONDITION STILL EXISTS AFTER 6 ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR.. IS AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN THE HARNESS CONNECTOR I BELIEVE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
ON 3/4/2005, WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, THE CAR STALLED AND WOULDN'T IMMEDIATELY START. IT DID START LATER. I WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHICH REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. ON 4/21/2005, I GOT TO MY PARKED CAR TO FIND THAT IT WOULDN'T START FOR 10-15 MINUTES. THE SYMPTOMS WERE VERY SIMILAR TO THE MARCH 4 INCIDENT, WITHOUT THE STALLING OUT ON THE HIGHWAY TO PREFACE IT. THE FOLLOWING DAY, I TOOK THE CAR TO A DIFFERENT DEALER, WHERE THEY TESTED THE CAR BUT MADE NO REPAIRS. I WROTE HYUNDAI. A REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE CONTACTED ME AND ASKED THAT HYUNDAI HAVE AN ATTEMPT TO FULLY INVESTIGATE. I HAD AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM, AND THE REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE CONTACTED THEM TO COORDINATE EXAMINATION OF THE CAR. THE DEALER HAD ONE OF THEIR TOP ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS PEOPLE EXAMINE THE CAR IN CONSULTATION WITH THE REGIONAL OFFICE ON 5/7/2005. THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS. ON 1/3/2006, THE CAR STALLED OUT ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND WOULDN'T START IMMEDIATELY. A DEALER REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. ON 1/13/2006, THE CAR STALLED OUT ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND WOULDN'T START IMMEDIATELY. A DEALER EXAMINED IT AND CONSULTED WITH HYUNDAI TECH LINE BUT DID NOTHING. I SENT HYUNDAI ANOTHER LETTER. THEY ASKED TO BE ABLE TO SEND A REGIONAL TECHNICIAN TO LOOK AT IT. A DEALER REPLACED THE POWER CONTROL MODULE AND CHECKED CONNECTIONS PER DIRECTIONS OF THE REGIONAL TECHNICIAN. HYUNDAI DEEMED THE CAR OKAY BECAUSE THE TECHNICIAN WENT FOR A 15 MILE TEST DRIVE; THE CAR HAS HAD THREE POTENTIALLY FATAL INCIDENTS IN 22,491 MILES. A REPRESENTATIVE AT THE REGIONAL OFFICE SAID THE THEY REPLACED THE POWER CONTROL MODULE BASED ON INCIDENTS IN OTHER CARS, WHERE THE ERROR CODE FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAS COME UP. HE SAID THIS WAS A "PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE," THAT THE TECHNICIAN WASN'T ABLE TO VERIFY THE COMPONENT THAT FAILED, AND COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY THE POWER CONTROL MODULE WASN'T SUGGESTED EARLIER. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
DT: A WIRING BURNING SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. WHEN THIS HAPPENED EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL IN THE DASHBOARD TURNED OFF. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED ON JUNE 20, 2005. THE PROBLEM USUALLY HAPPENED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. LATELY, IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
FROM STOP SIGN PROCEEDED TO CROSS INTERSECTION, WAS STRUCK ON FRONT END OF DRIVERS SIDE PANEL AND BUMPER, SPUN AROUND AND HIT AGAIN ON DRIVER BACK SIDE PANEL AND REAR WHEEL, RIPPED HALF OF THE FRONT BUMPER AND CRUSHED DRIVERS FRONT SIDE AGAINST ENGINE , NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
BUBBLE IN SIDEWALL OF TIRE ABOUT ONE MONTH AFTER BUYING IT NEW. *JB
I BOUGHT MY HYUNDAI ELENTRA 2004 BRAND NEW. WHEN I BOUGHT IT I TOOK IT BACK BECAUSE THE TIRES LEAKED AT THE VALVE STEMS. AND WHEN IT GETS HOT IT STARTS TO TICK. WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT THEY TREATED ME LIKE I WAS DUMB. I ENDED UP PAYING FOR THIS MYSELF. MY CAR HOWEVER STILL TICKS. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CLOUDY COVERING OVER THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS, REDUCING THE VISIBILITY OF THE CONTACTS VEHICLE. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 09/27/11 *BF UPDATED 11/07/11
I PURCHASED A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IN SEPTEMBER 2004. I HAVE HAD LITTLE TROUBLE WITH THE VEHICLE. I DRIVE TO WORK AT 4:30 AM. ONE MORNING, I TOOK A DIFFERENT ROUTE. THERE WERE BARRIER POLES PLANTED IN THE ROAD. I DID NOT SEE THEM UNTIL THE VERY LAST MINUTE. I SWERVED TO AVOID THEM. AT THE TOLL PLAZA, THE POLICE PULLED ME TO THE SIDE AND TOLD ME MY LIGHTS WERE OFF. THE SWITCH WAS ON, BUT THERE WERE NO HEADLIGHTS. SINCE THEN, A NUMBER OF DRIVERS SIGNALED TO ME THAT MY LIGHTS WERE OFF. I WAS AGAIN STOPPED BY THE POLICE AND TOLD MY LIGHTS WERE OFF. MY LIGHT SWITCH WAS IN THE ON POSITION. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND THEY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. I STILL DO NOT FEEL THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS ARE BRIGHT ENOUGH. ANY HELP YOU COULD OFFER WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU DIANNE C. BURGER. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA STUD FELL FROM THE BACK OF THE HUB ON THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE BROKEN AND LAYING IN THE DRUM.*MR
MY NEW ELANTRA HAS CORROSION ON THE WHEEL SPINDLE THREADS AND NUT. THERE IS ALSO CORROSION ON THE WHEEL LUGS AND NUTS. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR EVALUATION,K AND WAS TOLD THAT CORROSION WAS NO PROBLEM. I REQUESTED TO SPEAK WITH THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE AND HAVE SO FAR BEEN IGNORED.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
KNOCKING SOUND STARTED IN RIGHT FRONT WHEN TURNING RIGHT. NOT MUCH BUT PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER & LONGER ON ALL TURNS. THE FRONT TRANSAXLE SHAFT BASICALLY WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG W THE BALL JOINTS IN FRONT END.5 SPEED *TR
HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS 2004 (1) NO EVENTS LED UP TO FAILURES (2) BETWEEN 15000-20000 MILES IGNITION STOPPED WORKING - FIXED BY HYUNDAI AFTER WE SEVERELY NAGGED THEM FOR DAYS - CAR IS LESS THAN 18 MONTHS OLD HAS 32,000 MILES ON IT NOW CLUTCH DISK IS SUPPOSEDLY BURNED OUT- I HAVE NEVER HAD A CLUTCH BURN OUT ON ME OR ANYONE I KNOW MUCH LESS AT A MERE 32,000 MILES WANT TO CHARGE ME 300 TO SEE IF WARRANTY MIGHT COVER IT; HOWEVER IF IT DOESN'T THEY WILL CHARGE ME 800 OR SO TO FIX THIS PROBLEM CAR GRINDS WHEN TURNING- HYUNDAI WILL NOT CHECK IT OUT, SUPPOSEDLY WARRANTY ALSO DOES NOT COVER THIS. STEERING WHEEL IS COMPLETELY FALLING APART VANITY MIRROR COVER FELL OFF YES, ALL THIS HAPPENED WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. I AM NOW COMPLETELY AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. THE GEARS DO NOT CATCH WELL AND ARE GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE REASON I BOUGHT THIS CAR WAS FOR ITS AMAZING WARRANTY. COME TO FIND OUT THE WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER ANYTHING AT ALL. HYUNDAI DID REPLACE MY VANITY MIRROR. NOW IF ONLY THE FREAKING CAR WORKED! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HYUNDAI. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
ONE MORNING LAST YEAR, MY WIFE AND I DISCOVERED TWO SMALL (1/8" DIA.) POCK MARKS ON THE OUTER SURFACE OF OUR 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA'S FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE GLASS IS LABELED: KOREA AUTOGLASS LAMINATED A. WE ASSUME THAT THE MARKS WERE THE RESULT OF STONES OR SIMILAR OBJECTS WHICH FLEW UP AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD WHILE ONE OF US WAS DRIVING. WE DID NOT WITNESS THE EVENT. WITHIN A FEW DAYS, WE NOTICED THAT A SURFACE CRACK HAD BEGUN TO "RUN" FROM ONE OF THE POCK MARKS DOWN THE WINDSHIELD - ABOUT 2 TO THREE INCHES IN LENGTH. A FEW WEEKS LATER, WHEN WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL FIX UNRELATED TO THE WINDSHIELD, WE WERE TOLD THE CRACK WAS PROBABLY THE RESULT OF THE ORIGINAL DINGS AND WAS THEREFORE NOT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING SINCE THE LATE 1950S. NEVER ON ANY CAR I HAVE OWNED HAVE I SEEN AN ENTIRE WINDSHIELD THREATENED BY WHAT BEGAN AS MINOR DAMAGE SUCH AS WAS SUSTAINED BY OUR ELANTRA. TO DATE, THE CRACK HAS INCREASED DOWN THE WINDSHIELD TO ABOUT 8 INCHES, AND APPEARS HEADED FOR THE LOWER WINDSHIELD FRAME. I WONDER IF ANY DRIVERS OF HYUNDAIS OR OTHER MAKES HAVE REPORTED A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE WITH WINDSHIELD DAMAGE. I SHOULD THINK THAT A WELL-MADE QUALITY LAMINATED GLASS WOULD BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND WHAT STARTED AS A MINOR MISHAP. THANK YOU. SINCERELY, KEN SPALDING . *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .