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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.

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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

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

6 reports
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102,330 miles · Feb 27, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 5. ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN FRONT OF ME REQUIRING SUDDEN APPLICATION OF BRAKES (PANIC STOP). BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY. THE BRAKES WORKED PARTIALLY AFTER SWERVING AND PUMPING THE BRAKES. IT WAS ALSO FOUND THAT THE BRAKES HAD FAILED COMPLETELY UPON BACKING THE VEHICLE. A MECHANICAL INSPECTION DE…

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TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 5. ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN FRONT OF ME REQUIRING SUDDEN APPLICATION OF BRAKES (PANIC STOP). BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY. THE BRAKES WORKED PARTIALLY AFTER SWERVING AND PUMPING THE BRAKES. IT WAS ALSO FOUND THAT THE BRAKES HAD FAILED COMPLETELY UPON BACKING THE VEHICLE. A MECHANICAL INSPECTION DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE-BOOSTER VACUUM LINE CHECK VALVE HAD FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #10385648

31,000 miles · May 30, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING LEFT AT LOW SPEEDS THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE REAR BRAKES HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE REAR BRAKE SENSORS WERE BENT AND BOTH REAR BRA…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING LEFT AT LOW SPEEDS THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE REAR BRAKES HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE REAR BRAKE SENSORS WERE BENT AND BOTH REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS WERE TURNED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10158596

2,381 miles · Aug 17, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED THREE TIME FOR GRINDING IN THE REAR OF CAR WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. I HAVE NEVER BEEN TOLD WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, JUST THAT THEY HAVE FIXED IT, BUT IT NEVER STAYS FIXED. FIRST TIME (10/06/04) THEY LUBED BACKING PLATES AND SANDED SHOES; SECOND TIME (04/20/05) THEY REPLACED REAR BRAKE SHOES AND DRUMS; THIRD T…

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CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED THREE TIME FOR GRINDING IN THE REAR OF CAR WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. I HAVE NEVER BEEN TOLD WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, JUST THAT THEY HAVE FIXED IT, BUT IT NEVER STAYS FIXED. FIRST TIME (10/06/04) THEY LUBED BACKING PLATES AND SANDED SHOES; SECOND TIME (04/20/05) THEY REPLACED REAR BRAKE SHOES AND DRUMS; THIRD TIME (08/15/05) THEY REPLACED BOTH REAR WHEEL CYCLINDERS. I AM TREATED VERY WELL BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL, BUT, I HAVE A CAR THAT CONTINUES TO HAVE BRAKE PROBLEMS. THIS IS A BAD ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN!. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10133239

1,500 miles · Mar 2, 2005
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicFire

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE SMELLED SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE VENTS WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. VEHICLE BR…

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VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE SMELLED SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE VENTS WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. VEHICLE BRAKES WENT OUT. THE CONSUMER STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND HER AND THE PASSENGERS GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE WITHIN SECONDS OF FLAMES. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10111051

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND ROLLED BACK WHEN ON THE FLAT SURFACE. CONSUMERTOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10091728

4,488 miles · Jun 24, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

LOUD CLUNKING NOISE AND VIBRATION FROM REAR OF CAR WHEN BRAKING. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED WARPED ROTORS AND MACHINED BRAKE DRUMS AT 4,400 MILES. PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN AND EVEN WORSE AT 4,700 MILES. I WILL BE TAKING IT IN TODAY. I'M AFRAID THAT AFTER 12,000 MILES THE WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THEM ANYMORE, EVEN THOUGH TH…

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LOUD CLUNKING NOISE AND VIBRATION FROM REAR OF CAR WHEN BRAKING. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED WARPED ROTORS AND MACHINED BRAKE DRUMS AT 4,400 MILES. PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN AND EVEN WORSE AT 4,700 MILES. I WILL BE TAKING IT IN TODAY. I'M AFRAID THAT AFTER 12,000 MILES THE WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THEM ANYMORE, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE AND HAVE BEEN FROM THE START.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10078726

Official recalls

5

05V479000 · 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

1

PE04041 · 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.

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