Model year
2004 Hyundai Elantra
NHTSA lists 5 recalls and 182 complaints for the 2004 Hyundai Elantra (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (57), AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE (34), AIR BAGS:FRONTAL (18). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 24–26 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,600–$2,800, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 197 complaints
- 2001 315 complaints
- 2002 342 complaints
- 2003 234 complaints
- 2004 182 complaints
- 2005 137 complaints
- 2006 155 complaints
- 2007 267 complaints
- 2008 314 complaints
- 2009 254 complaints
- 2010 380 complaints
- 2011 433 complaints
- 2012 654 complaints
- 2013 1,314 complaints
- 2014 386 complaints
- 2015 262 complaints
- 2016 293 complaints
- 2017 769 complaints
- 2018 284 complaints
- 2019 252 complaints
- 2020 254 complaints
- 2021 132 complaints
- 2022 102 complaints
- 2023 101 complaints
- 2024 55 complaints
- 2025 22 complaints
- 2026 3 complaints
Recalls
05V479000 · Oct 17, 2005
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) AS AN ADULT. THIS MAY OCCUR IF THE CRS IS INSTALLED AFTER AN ADULT HAS BEEN SEATED…
05V395000 · Sep 12, 2005
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) AS AN ADULT. THIS MAY OCCUR IF THE CRS IS INSTALLED AFTER AN ADULT HAS BEEN SEATED…
04V370000 · Jul 30, 2004
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 CLAMP THAT IS LOCATED NEAR THE FUEL TANK MAY NOT BE POSITIONED PROPERLY AND COULD…
04V208000 · May 3, 2004
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 BETWEEN A VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EAR AND THE FUEL TANK. THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP…
03V322000 · Aug 26, 2003
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. HOWEVER, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR MAY INCORRECTLY INTERPRET THAT A SEATED…
Complaints
182 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 24, fire flag on 2, injury field 26, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE04041 | POST-CRASH FUEL TANK LEAK · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | Apr 16, 2004 | Jul 13, 2004 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elantra · 2L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 29 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Elantra · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 31 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Elantra Hatchback · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 31 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2004 Hyundai Elantra at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.