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2004 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

The most common problem on the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe is suspension, typically around 91,000 miles. It has 1.3 times the complaints of a typical Santa Fe model year.

Typical year1.3x the typical complaints
Year score
60/100
Owner complaints
303
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
77
Worst area
Suspension
Fuel economy
17-20mpg
Typical repair
$1,200

The worst 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe

Coil spring 49Airbag light 21Fuel leak 16ABS 15Sudden acceleration 15Check engine light 14Stalling 14Jerking 12No deployment 9Engine failure 9Brake failure 8Grinding brakes 8Won't start 8Fuel smell 7Fire or smoke 6Loss of power 6Seat belt 6Tire blowout 6Door locks 5Fuel pump 5

Recalls 3

Suspension: front: springs: coil springsReported July 18, 2014 · 271,773 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model Year 2001-2006 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2000, through February 15, 2006, that are registered and operated, or which were originally sold and registered, in the following 20 “salt belt" states and the District of Columbia: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The affected vehicles may experience front coil spring corrosion from road salt, causing the coil spring to fracture and make contact with the tire.
Risk
If the front coil spring fractures due to corrosion it could cause the coil spring to make contact with the tire, possibly puncturing the tire and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the coil spring, free of charge. The recall began on October 24, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑800‑633‑5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 124.

Recall number 14V435000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/moduleReported March 16, 2004 · 17,401 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.5 liter v-6 engines, 4-wheel drive and antilock braking systems (ABS), if the brake pedal is depressed at speeds between 3 and 12 MPH when the brake pad friction surfaces are wet, a vibration may occur between the brake discs and pads causing ABS sensor electronic signal noise to develop. At speeds below 5 MPH, the ABS sensor signal noise may cause the ABS electronic control unit (ecu) to activate the ABS, extending the stopping distance.
Risk
If an extended stopping distance occurs, it could result in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will reprogram the ABS ecu. Owner notification began on march 24, 2004. Owners should contact hyundai at 1‑800‑633‑5151.

Recall number 04V131000 · Recall details

Equipment: other: labelsReported December 18, 2003 · 249,309 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars."
Risk
The tire pressure labels do not contain the information required by the standard.
Remedy
Owners will be provided with a correct label and installation instructions. Owner notification began on october 29, 2003. Owners should contact hyundai at 1‑800‑633‑5151.

Recall number 03V520000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe

Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe 77

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 77 bulletins for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe

2004 Hyundai Santa Fe fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.4L 4‑cylFWD182520
2.7L 6‑cylFWD182420
2.7L 6‑cyl4WD162218
3.5L 6‑cylFWD152017
3.5L 6‑cyl4WD151917

What 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 6, 2023 · Transmission · 37,000 miles · GA · crash

The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that on six separate occasions, the vehicle had independently accelerated without warning. On one occasion, the vehicle had accelerated through a red light with the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard. On a separate occasion, the vehicle accelerated through the contact's garage door upon entering the driveway. The air bags did not deploy and no injuries were reported. A police report was not filed; the garage door was replaced after the crash. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who could not determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000

Filed Oct 9, 2023 · Engine · OK · fire

In transit, it began smoking and the engine light came on. After pulling to the side, flames erupted and it became fully engulfed, followed by a small explosion. The vehicle and it’s contents were a total loss.

Filed Jun 1, 2023 · Brakes · 150,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while the son was driving approximately 25 MPH the braking system malfunctioned and when depressing the brake pedal the vehicle did not reduce speed or stop causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash, the rear driver-side passenger sustained a lacerated bottom lip and dental and oral injuries. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed and later deemed destroyed by the insurance company. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously serviced for the same failure by the local mechanic. No further information was available. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Aug 25, 2021 · Brakes · GA · fire

driving in the rain hit brakes they locked up

Filed Jun 10, 2021 · Fuel system · OH

This was a recall for hundai santa fe vehicles from 2001-2006. For unknown reasons I was not aware of recall. It was for 15 years or 150 miles. It is a danger as my car leaks gas. I am at 135,000 miles. But my car is a 2004. I purchased the vehicle in the last 2 years. I believe the recall should extend till the repair is complete for the reasons as follows. 1. it can explode. 2. it is a polluter 3. Hyundai acknowledges it as faulty equipment. 4. Corporations must be resonsible or they are irresponsible. 5. Cars are expensive they must maintain as least minimum safety requirements.

Filed Jan 10, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 260,000 miles · AL · fire

Last night my mothers 2004 hyundai santa fe caught fire the car had been parked for hours, the keys were not in the car it was completely off. It made absolutely no since untill I done some research and seen the lawsuit for this same thing and I wondered why this model was not included. I also seen multiple people wondering the same thing about their 2004 hyundai santa fe. My father was the only one iat the house and in the house he could have lost his life and everything they own the only way he knew it was on fire was a neighbor saw and started screaming and started backing up to the vehicle to pull it away from the house a police report was made but what is she supposed to do for a vehicle? When no one even started the fire.

Filed Dec 11, 2020 · Engine · 125,000 miles · AZ

I have a 2004 hyundia santa fe and the engine started with loud knocking sounds in my driveway. I had it toll to avondale earnhardt hyundia's dealership. The diagostic was "found engine knock can be heard at bottom end of engine. Failure in rod bearings is causing excessive noise in bottom end. Engine required" replacement. The car has 125,000 miles which exceeds the 100,000 powertrain warranty. However, my engine failure is the same as the current "engine failure recalls (theta ii engines) caused by manufacturing processes. Except the 2004 hyundia santa fe was not included on the recall list. I spoke and submitted twice a compliant to hyundia customer care department to replace my engine and was denied an engine replacement. I have been without a car since november 20, 2020. Today, customer care department notified me by phone of the second rejection. I am an elderly woman and retired, so finances are limited. I feel that the engine should be replaced because that the "fair thing to do". The engine should not have failed so early in its life-cycle. I would appreciate your review and a solution to this problem. Perhaps a recall on my vehicle.

Filed Mar 10, 2020 · Visibility · 119,000 miles · UT

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the sunroof detached from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.

Filed Jan 3, 2020 · Suspension · 73,536 miles · VA

It had 124 recall the federal safety agency 14v43500 I call hyundai off government site told them about 124 and broken spring they set up appointment so they only put on brackets but no spring wanted $1004 for the strut spring on they told me on call center they replace spring as it said on the federal safety agency site they would not do it call back to hyundia as number on government site they made a case number 16604156 amber at 714 594 1764 she said spring was not in recall I send picture of it before up there to dealer she had no clue what was so I dont who right on recall she said government the federal safety agency site are not correct brown leesburg hyundai leesburg va 20176

Filed Oct 27, 2019 · Fuel system · 133,673 miles · WI

Bought an used 2004 santa fe in august from a dealer. Two weeks ago I started noticing a strong smell of gas around my vehicle and last week I began seeing a small discolored area on the cement in the garage. Mom checked my vehicle and found that the my fuel tank is leaking. The discoloration of the cement under my vehicle is in fact leaking gas. Tank is corroded and I will need a new tank installed.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe before you buy

Compare the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe

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Other model years

20012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

Questions about the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe

Is the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

Owners have filed 303 complaints about the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe, 1.3 times a typical Santa Fe model year.

What is the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe year score?

The 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe scores 60 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Hyundai Santa Fe: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Suspension, with 69 complaints, typically around 91,000 miles. Next is airbags (43).

How many recalls does the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe have?

3 recalls, covering suspension, service brakes, hydraulic and equipment.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe suspension?

Yes, 1 recall: 14V435000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Hyundai Santa Fe have bad suspension?

The Hyundai Santa Fe model years with the most suspension complaints are 2001 (76 complaints), 2004 (69 complaints) and 2002 (59 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe get?

Official estimates for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe range from 17 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 25 highway.

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