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KLUNK

2004 Hyundai Elantra

The Verdict

58 Proceed with Caution

The 2004 Hyundai Elantra has 182 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (118 complaints) and body (30 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 58/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Hyundai Elantra, consider the 2025 model year which has 89% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2025 has 89% fewer complaints

View the 2025 Hyundai Elantra dashboard →

58

Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution

About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 5

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

03V322000 AIR BAGS

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. HOWE...

Risk

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.

Reported Apr 10, 2026

05V479000 AIR BAGS

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)...

Risk

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 MA...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

04V370000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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 CL...

Risk

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 RI...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

05V395000 AIR BAGS

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)...

Risk

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...

Reported Dec 9, 2005

04V208000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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 BE...

Risk

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 RESUL...

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...

Reported Mar 5, 2004

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2000626615519
2001122251283517
200216233934316
20031072555389
2004308118197
2005311079116
200626318287
20071363070228
200810246618224
20091662463188
201025742922831
20111924210110517
20122147419215230
201350721826125834
201481584417411
2015764327989
2016102104111715
2017315398929323
2018729301549
2019325731284
20205294110631
202168830164
202254617105
202337623204
20242421781
2025141230

By Category

Electrical
118
Body
30
Engine
19
Brakes
8
Transmission
7

By Severity

1
81
2
74
3
1
4
26

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2004 Hyundai Elantra stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Body 1

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.

29mo ago
Electrical 4

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.

86mo ago
Electrical 2

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.

89mo ago
Engine 2

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.

97mo ago
Electrical 1

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

98mo ago
Body 1

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND SUDDENLY WHILE TRYING TO CHANGE LANE THE STEERING FREEZES ON ME, THIS HAPPEN NOW FOR THE SECOND TIME.

102mo ago
Brakes 1

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.

102mo ago
Electrical 1

MY 2004 ELANTRA GLS HAS THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: 1 - THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF SIGN STAYS ON, EVEN WITH MY WIFE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. 2 - THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD IS ALWAYS ON, AND MY HORN IS NOT WORKING, FOR THE LAST TWO / THREE WEEKS (NOV / DEC 2017).

104mo ago
Electrical 2

I WENT TO GET A SAFETY CHECK AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I COULDN'T GET IT BECAUSE MY AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. I LIVE ON A ISOLATED ISLAND THAT DOESN'T HAVE A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THE CAR DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR ISN'T GIVING ME A CALL BACK WHILE IN THE MEAN TIME I AM RIDING AROUND WITH A EXPIRED SAFETY CHECK AND IS FEARFUL OF GETTING CITED.

105mo ago
Electrical 2

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. THIS CAR SHOULD BE UNDER THE 15 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE HYUNDAI DEALER WILL NOT LOOK AT THE CAR WITHOUT A FEE.

106mo ago
Engine 2

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.

111mo ago
Electrical 1

WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF ON PASSENGER SIDE WHILE IN MOTION

111mo ago
Electrical 1

I WAS TAKING MY DAD TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY HE SAT ON SEAT. I NOTICE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR DID NOT GO OFF . THE CAR WAS DRIVEN IN CITY AND ON HIGHWAY THANK GOD AIR BAGS WERE NOT NEEDED AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON DASH LATER THAT DAY . I CALLED BROADWAY HYUNDAI ON MONDAY THEY SAID IF AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH WAS ON AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. I TOOK CAR IN TO BROADWAY THEY TOLD ME AIRBAG SENSOR ON PASSENGER SEAT WAS SEVERED AND PART WOULD BE 1600.00 TO REPAIR. LATER THEY CALLED BACK AND SAID THEY COULD BUT USED SEAT IN FOR 297.32. I DIDN'T LIKE THAT BECAUSE SAME THING COULD HAPPEN AGAIN, BUT COULD NOR AFFORD 1600.00 FOR OME PART. I CALL HYUNDAI AND ASK THAT I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR DANGER MY DAD AND MYSELF WERE PUT IN AND REINVESTED REPAIR. THIS IS POOR WORKMANSHIP HAVING SHARP METAL RAILS AND CLIPS OVER PLASTIC WIRE MEMBRANE. NOT HAPPY WITH USED SEAT SAME THING COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND THIS PART COULD BE IN 1000 OF OTHER VEHICLE. A CASE WAS STARTED AND NO REPLY FOR HYUNDAI. A FAIR SETTLEMENT OF 1600.00 FOR CORRECT PART IF NEED IN FUTURE AND DANGER WE WERE PUT IN. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED OUT THERE COULD 1000 OF THIS DANGER ON ROAD TODAY AND SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT TAKE AIRBAG LIGHT SERIOUSLY. SEE ATTACH PHOTO TAKE BY REPAIR TECHNICIAN JEFF

111mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG OFF INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V322000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

120mo ago
Electrical 1

"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.

125mo ago
Brakes 4

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.

133mo ago
Electrical 2

I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON BACK IN MAY 2004. NOW THE LIGHT ON THE DRIVER AIR BAG IS ON AND THE PASSENGER LIGHT FOR THE AIR BAG IS OFF. I AM CONCERNRD THST NEITHER AIR BAGS ARE NOT WORKING. WHAT SHOULD I DO? THERE HAS BEEN NO INCIDENT SO I WILL JUST PUT APPROX. DATE OF THE AIR BAG LIGHTS.

135mo ago
Electrical 4

HIT A TELEPHONE POLE GOING ABOUT 40MPH N THE AIRBAG WENT OFF ABOUT 5 SECONDS AFTER. MY NECK PAIN HAS GONE TO MY BACK AND HEAD N MY BODY IS BECOMING DEFORMED AND SHUTTING DOWN. I'M TRYING TO GET HELP BUT I GUESS I WAITED TOO LONG. I WAS INJURED N NEVER TREATED HOPING IT WOULD GO AWAY BUT IT DID NOT. THE AIRBAG WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY HELPED ME OUT! ALSO THIS WAS IN PENNSYLVANIA NOT OHIO.

136mo ago
Electrical 4

THE VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND "B" PILLAR SUFFICIENTLY TO SHATTER THE WINDOW, POP OPEN THE DOOR AND BEND THE B PILLAR. THE DOOR AND B PILLAR IMPACTED THE DRIVER BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED......UPDATED 05-27-15 *BF

136mo ago
Engine 1

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

136mo ago

182 total

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