IllustrationAIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO DEALERON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH VEHICLE. *AK
2004 Hyundai Elantra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Hyundai Elantra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 182.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Elantra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
510–25K
1325–50K
2050–75K
1175–100K
13100–150K
4150K+
112 reports with mileage · 70 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 114 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
24 crash reports2 fire reports18 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
114 reportsTHE DRIVER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, UPON IMPACT THE PASSENGER SEAT COLLAPSED. ONLY THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *JB *SC
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN SOME WAS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO TO FIX IT. CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON. THE CONSUMER HAD TO WIGGLE THE INSTRUMENT IN ORDER TO MAKE IT GO OFF. THE DEALER STATED THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS.*AK *JB
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DISABLED LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING WITH ADULTS OF MINIMUM OF 100 POUNDS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE DEALER SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. *AK
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS SUPPOSED TO BE ACTIVATED WHEN A PASSENGER >56.4 POUNDS IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN MY DAUGHTER (ABOUT 110 POUNDS) IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE INDICATOR LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG GOES ON AND OFF WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING, AND SHE IS NOT MOVING. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AND I HAVE…
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THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS SUPPOSED TO BE ACTIVATED WHEN A PASSENGER >56.4 POUNDS IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN MY DAUGHTER (ABOUT 110 POUNDS) IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE INDICATOR LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG GOES ON AND OFF WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING, AND SHE IS NOT MOVING. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AND I HAVE CONTACTED THEIR DISTRICT OFFICE AND I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. I AM WORRIED THAT I WILL HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG WILL NOT BE ACTIVATED. *NM
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR FAILED TO FUNCTION. WHEN A PASSENGER WHO WEIGHT MORE THAT THE CLASSIFIED 50 LBS WAS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR STILL READ OFF. DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE.*AK
THE AIR BAG SENSOR WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN SITTING IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION WITH FEET PLACED FLAT NEAR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THE SENSOR WILL ACTIVATE. HOWEVER, IF CONSUMER MOVES FEET THE SENSOR WILL DEACTIVATE, AND THE LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE. *AK
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY APARTMENT'S PARKING LOT. MY WIFE AND I ENTERED THE VEHICLE. I STARTED THE ENGINE. WE BOTH BUCKLED OUR SEATBELTS AND I TOOK OFF THE PARKING BRAKE. AS I WAS REACHING FOR THE GEARSHIFT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING.*AK
PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. WHEN AN OCCUPANT WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS OFF. THIS SHOULD ONLY OCCUR IN THE UNOCCUPIED SEAT. RECALL O3V322000 WAS ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.…
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PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. WHEN AN OCCUPANT WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS OFF. THIS SHOULD ONLY OCCUR IN THE UNOCCUPIED SEAT. RECALL O3V322000 WAS ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Official recalls
505V479000 · Air Bags
Oct 17, 2005
CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) INSTALLED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE MAY MISCLASSIFY A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT (CRS) AS AN ADULT. THIS MAY OCCUR IF THE CRS IS INSTALLED AFTER AN ADULT HAS BEEN SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. IF THERE HAS NOT BEEN A 'KEY ON' ' KEY OFF' CYCLE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT EMPTY PRIOR TO INSTALLATION OF THE CRS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF A CRS AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG OR SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S OCS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO REMOVE THE FEATURE THAT MAY CAUSE THE CRS TO BE RECOGNIZED AS AN ADULT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.
05V395000 · Air Bags
Sep 12, 2005
CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) INSTALLED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE MAY MISCLASSIFY A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT (CRS) AS AN ADULT. THIS MAY OCCUR IF THE CRS IS INSTALLED AFTER AN ADULT HAS BEEN SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. IF THERE HAS NOT BEEN A 'KEY ON' ' KEY OFF' CYCLE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT EMPTY PRIOR TO INSTALLATION OF THE CRS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF A CRS AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG OR SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S OCS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO REMOVE THE FEATURE THAT MAY CAUSE THE CRS TO BE RECOGNIZED AS AN ADULT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 31, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
04V370000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Jul 30, 2004
DURING AN INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY (IIHS) OFFSET FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACT TEST, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT FUEL TAN DAMAGE COULD OCCUR. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP THAT IS LOCATED NEAR THE FUEL TANK MAY NOT BE POSITIONED PROPERLY AND COULD CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EARS AND CORRECTLY POSITION THE CLAMP, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.
04V208000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
May 3, 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 CLAMP EAR AND THE FUEL TANK. THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EAR WAS FOUND TO BE MISPOSITIONED AND FACING TOWARD THE FUEL TANK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE COULD CAUSE THE MISPOSITIONED CLAMP TO PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP AND CORRECTLY POSITION THE CLAMP, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
03V322000 · Air Bags
Aug 26, 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. HOWEVER, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR MAY INCORRECTLY INTERPRET THAT A SEATED ADULT IS AN INFANT SEAT AND DEACTIVATE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IF SOMEONE HEAVIER THAN 56.4 POUNDS WHO IS SEATED WITH ONE LEG RESTING ON THE OUTBOARD OR INBOARD EDGE OF THE SEAT; WITH LEGS SPREAD; OR POSITIONED OFF-CENTER TOWARD THE CENTER CONSOLE AND WITH HIS OR HER ARM LEANING ON THE CONSOLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER.
Remedy: THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR WILL BE REPROGRAMMED.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE04041 · POST-CRASH Fuel Tank Leak
Opened Apr 16, 2004 · Closed Jul 13, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
PE04-041 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE A FUEL LEAK INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED DURING AN INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY (IIHS) FRONTAL CRASH OFFSET TEST ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLE.THIS INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EAR WAS MISPOSITIONED AND FACING TOWARD THE FUEL TANK, WHICH ENABLED THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EAR TO PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL TANK TO LEAK STODDARD FLUID DURING THE IIHS CRASH TEST.ON APRIL 30, 2004, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY (HYUNDAI) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN CERTAIN MY 2004 ELANTRA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2003 THROUGH APRIL 14, 2004.THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED THE MISPOSITIONING OF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP, WHICH RESULTED FROM AN EARLY SEPTEMBER MANUFACTURING CHANGE AT THE SUPPLIER THAT INSTALLED THE HOSE CLAMP ON THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.IF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP IS MISPOSITIONED SO THAT ONE OF ITS EARS IS FACING THE FUEL TANK AND THAT VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN HIGH SPEED CRASH, THE CLAMP MAY PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.HYUNDAI WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POSITION OF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP INSPECTED AND CORRECTLY REPOSITIONED, IF NECESSARY.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
PE04-041 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE A FUEL LEAK INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED DURING AN INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY (IIHS) FRONTAL CRASH OFFSET TEST ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLE.THIS INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EAR WAS MISPOSITIONED AND FACING TOWARD THE FUEL TANK, WHICH ENABLED THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EAR TO PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL TANK TO LEAK STODDARD FLUID DURING THE IIHS CRASH TEST.ON APRIL 30, 2004, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY (HYUNDAI) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN CERTAIN MY 2004 ELANTRA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2003 THROUGH APRIL 14, 2004.THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED THE MISPOSITIONING OF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP, WHICH RESULTED FROM AN EARLY SEPTEMBER MANUFACTURING CHANGE AT THE SUPPLIER THAT INSTALLED THE HOSE CLAMP ON THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.IF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP IS MISPOSITIONED SO THAT ONE OF ITS EARS IS FACING THE FUEL TANK AND THAT VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN HIGH SPEED CRASH, THE CLAMP MAY PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.HYUNDAI WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POSITION OF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP INSPECTED AND CORRECTLY REPOSITIONED, IF NECESSARY.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
PE04-041 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE A FUEL LEAK INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED DURING AN INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY (IIHS) FRONTAL CRASH OFFSET TEST ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLE.THIS INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EAR WAS MISPOSITIONED AND FACING TOWARD THE FUEL TANK, WHICH ENABLED THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EAR TO PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL TANK TO LEAK STODDARD FLUID DURING THE IIHS CRASH TEST.ON APRIL 30, 2004, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY (HYUNDAI) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN CERTAIN MY 2004 ELANTRA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2003 THROUGH APRIL 14, 2004.THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED THE MISPOSITIONING OF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP, WHICH RESULTED FROM AN EARLY SEPTEMBER MANUFACTURING CHANGE AT THE SUPPLIER THAT INSTALLED THE HOSE CLAMP ON THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.IF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP IS MISPOSITIONED SO THAT ONE OF ITS EARS IS FACING THE FUEL TANK AND THAT VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN HIGH SPEED CRASH, THE CLAMP MAY PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.HYUNDAI WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POSITION OF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP INSPECTED AND CORRECTLY REPOSITIONED, IF NECESSARY.