2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. This model year has 303 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Suspension Failures.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Suspension Failures
Brake System
Airbag Malfunctions
Considering a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension Failures | 69 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 43 | 13 | 2 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 43 | 11 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 39 | 5 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 38 | — | 5 | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 25 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 24 | 11 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 21 | 3 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 18 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System | 15 | — | 1 | — | |
| Gasoline | 13 | — | 1 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 12 | 2 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 11 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 8 | 2 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 7 | — | 1 | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Air | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Equipment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Other | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 303 most recent complaints
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 separat…
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.
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 v…
driving in the rain hit brakes they locked up
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 b…
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 IN…
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 …
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 A…
IT HAD 124 RECALL NHTSA 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 NHTS…
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. …
I JUST GOT IT A FEW MONTHS AGO AND HAPPENED TO LOOK UP RECALLS,AND SEEN 3 I TOOK IT TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WERE JUST 2 BUT ONE WAS SUSPENSION AND THEY HAVEN'T CALLED ME ABOUT IT IN AROUND A MONTH NOWB
MY AIR SBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. IT WON'T TURN OFF.I DON'T IF IT IS A PROBLEM WITH MY AIR BAGS OR JUST THE LIGHT.IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR YEARS.THERE WAS NOT REASON FOR IT TO TURN ON. I'VE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT,SO I DON'T IF IT WILL WORK WHEN NEEDED. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD FOR IT.…
AIR BAG LIGHT KEEP ON THIS VEHICLE 15 YEARS OLD BRAKES ALSO NOT LIKE USE TO BE I AM OWN THIS SUV LAST 15 YEARS I NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT I AM WORRY NEED TO BE FIXED FOE MY SAFETY [XXX] OWNER, C [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (…
VEHICLE WAS SOLD WITHOUT TITLE OR DISCLOSURE DEALERSHIP TOOK MONEY REFUSE TO HEAR COMPLAINTS. CONTACT ME AS I AM HANDICAPPED AND HAVE NO TITTLE TRYING TO RETURN VEHICLE IT VEERED TOWARD DITCH AS THE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE AND DANGEROUS PER DMV
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON DURING THE MORNING DRIVE THEN SHUT OFF NEXT TIME THE CAR WAS STARTED. ON/OFF PERODICALLY FOR ABOUT A WEEK. NOW THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME. A GLIMSPE ONLINE HINT SIMLAR OWNERS HAVEING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY ARE SAYING IT HAS…
THE VEHICLE KEEPS WON'T START AFTER PUMPING GAS. IT TAKES AWHILE, AND STALLS. EVEN STALLED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH TERRIFIES ME. I DON'T WANT TO BE OUT ON THE HIGHWAY POSSIBLY RISKING AN ACCIDENT. I WENT TO PEPBOYS AND SPENT $1800 ON TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, AND…
THIS WAS COVERED BY HYUNDIA RECALL CAMPAIGN 124. I FILLED UNDER CASE # 9878948. SPRING REPAIR 2/12/14, SOLD CAR 4/5/14, RECALL 2/4/15. THEY ONLY WOULD PAY FOR $318 OF THE $917 TOTAL REPAIR AND SAID IT HAS TO GO TO A HYUNDIA DEALERSHIP. THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE SENSERS, STRUT …
ABS TCS TRACKING SYSTEM TURNS OUT WHILE DRIVING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN ALIGNMENT, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE RUSTED, FRACTURED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL…
WELL MY VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED THE ABS ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER 04 SANTA FES AS WELL AS THE CORROSION FROM ROAD SALT TO THE COIL SPRINGS. THEY ARE CORRODED AND HAVE COMPLETELY SNAPPED. MY CAR IS WITHIN THE YEARS AND MODEL FOR THOSE RECALLS BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe.
Recalls for 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
3 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe has 303 NHTSA owner complaints, 32 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Suspension Failures (69 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe?▾
#1: Suspension Failures (69 complaints). #2: Brake System (43 complaints). #3: Airbag Malfunctions (43 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe?▾
The 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe has 32 crash-related complaints and 7 fire reports out of 303 total NHTSA complaints. 35 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?▾
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. The largest issue: SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe?▾
The 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Suspension Failures issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Hyundai Santa Fe reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.