IllustrationSINCE WE GOT THE 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IN DECEMBER 2003, THERE HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT REMAINING ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A PERSON SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT.*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
What owners actually said
182 reportsINTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE TEN TIMES AND STILL COULD NOT PIN POINT THE PROBLEM. *AK
THE CONSUMER COMPLAIND THAT THE CHILD WAS ABLE TO UNLATCH THE BUCKLE ON THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT. THE CHILD HAS RELEASED THE BUCKLE MORE THAN TEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS SENT A COVER FOR THE BUCKLE, BUT THE CHILD WAS STILL ABLE TO UNLATCH THE BUCKLE. *JB BRITAX CHILD SAFETY SEAT, MODEL NUMBER, E900218, SERIAL NUMBER E9002186…
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THE CONSUMER COMPLAIND THAT THE CHILD WAS ABLE TO UNLATCH THE BUCKLE ON THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT. THE CHILD HAS RELEASED THE BUCKLE MORE THAN TEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS SENT A COVER FOR THE BUCKLE, BUT THE CHILD WAS STILL ABLE TO UNLATCH THE BUCKLE. *JB BRITAX CHILD SAFETY SEAT, MODEL NUMBER, E900218, SERIAL NUMBER E9002186569, BATCH 501520. *NM
PASSENGER AIR BAG INTERMITTENLY IS ENABLED/DIABLED WITH PROPER EIGHT PASSENGER SITTING PROPERLY IN THE SEAT. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC PLACED THE VEHICLE ON DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. THEN, DETERMINED THAT COMPUTER REGISTERED THE VEHICLE AS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AND PROBLEM COULD NOT BE RESOLVED.*AK
AFTER PICKING UP MY NEW 2004 HYNDAI ELANTRA ON FRIDAY APRIL 30, 2004 I NOTICED THAT THE PASSANGER SIDE AIRBAG ON/OFF LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN I SAT IN THE SEAT, IN ANY AND EVERY POSITION WITH MY SEATBELT ON, AND THE SEAT IN ALL DIFFERENT POSITIONS THE INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD SAY PASSANGER SIDE AIR BOG OFF. I AM A FEMAL…
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AFTER PICKING UP MY NEW 2004 HYNDAI ELANTRA ON FRIDAY APRIL 30, 2004 I NOTICED THAT THE PASSANGER SIDE AIRBAG ON/OFF LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN I SAT IN THE SEAT, IN ANY AND EVERY POSITION WITH MY SEATBELT ON, AND THE SEAT IN ALL DIFFERENT POSITIONS THE INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD SAY PASSANGER SIDE AIR BOG OFF. I AM A FEMALE THAT WIEGHS 160 LBS .I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON MONDAY MAY 3RD THEY CALLED ME ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. I WENT THERE THAT DAY AND SAT IN THE SEAT IN ALL THE POSITIONS, I SAT IN THE SEAT EXACTLEY AS THEY SAY YOU SHOULD AND THE INDICATOR LIGHT STILL DISPLAYED PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF. THEY TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK IN TO BE REPAIRED. THEY CALLED ME ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND TOLD ME THAT THEY CHEKCED ALL OF THE SENSORS AND THAT THE COMPUTER SAYS THAT EVERYTHING IS WORKING PROPERLY AND AT THIS POINT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP ME. THEY HANDED ME A COPY OF HYUNDAIS TECHINICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FROM FEBUARY 2003 AND TOLD ME THAT THIS IS THE WAY THAT THE CAR IS SUPPOSED TO WORK. THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS SYSTEM WAS REQUIRED IN NEW CARS BY NHTSA AND THAT THEY CAN NOT FIX THE PROBLEM NOR WILL THEY REFUND OR REPLACE MY VEHICLE. WHEN I CALLED HYUNDAI CONSUMAR AFFAIRS THEY SAID THAT THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEM OF THIS KIND. THEY REFERED ME TO NHTSA SAYING THAT IT IS YOU WHO REQQUIRES THIS SYSTEM AND I SHOULD TALK TO YOU WITH ANY CONCERNS. THE DEALER INSITS THAT THIS IS THE WAY THE AIRBAG SYSTEM SHOULD WORK FOR A ADULT WHO WIEGHS 160LBS, AND ARE GOING TO GIVE ME BACK A CAR THAT DOES NOT HAVE A WORKING PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG FOR A 160 LB FEMALE.*AK
AFTER REAR ENDING A VEHICLE, THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED WALL CHEST CONTUSION AND SHOULDER STRAIN. *JB VEHICLE IS STILL WITH THE DEALER. *LA
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V322000. WHEN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED OR IS OCCUPIED BY SOMEONE LIGHTER THAN 56.4 POUNDS, THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEACTIVATES, AND WILL NOT DEPLOY IF A CRASH OCCURS. THIS RECALL APPLIED FOR THOSE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 6/12/2003 AND 18/11/2003. HOWEVER, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE…
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CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V322000. WHEN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED OR IS OCCUPIED BY SOMEONE LIGHTER THAN 56.4 POUNDS, THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEACTIVATES, AND WILL NOT DEPLOY IF A CRASH OCCURS. THIS RECALL APPLIED FOR THOSE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 6/12/2003 AND 18/11/2003. HOWEVER, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED ON 6/18/2003 AND DEALER WON'T HONOR THE RECALL.*AK
PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANT SENSOR LIGHT FOR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG REAPEATEDLY GOES ON AND OFF WHEN A 122 LB. FULL GROWN ADULT FEMALE IS SITTING PROPERLY IN THE SEAT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE DEALER SAYS THEY'VE DONE WHAT THEY CAN, AND THAT THEIR HYNDAI CORPORATE CONTACTS HAVE DONE WHAT THEY CAN. SEAT AND SENSOR SYSTEM REPLACED TWICE, T…
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PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANT SENSOR LIGHT FOR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG REAPEATEDLY GOES ON AND OFF WHEN A 122 LB. FULL GROWN ADULT FEMALE IS SITTING PROPERLY IN THE SEAT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE DEALER SAYS THEY'VE DONE WHAT THEY CAN, AND THAT THEIR HYNDAI CORPORATE CONTACTS HAVE DONE WHAT THEY CAN. SEAT AND SENSOR SYSTEM REPLACED TWICE, TO NO AVAIL. I BELIVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE CAR HAS A SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DOESN'T DEPLOY!*AK
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY ONTO AN OFF RAMP HIT SOMETHING IN THE STREET WHICH CAUSED HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. IN AN ATTEMPT TO PULL OVER HE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES.*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.