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2004 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls and problems

The 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe has 3 safety recalls and 303 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Hyundai dealer.

Recalls
3
Complaints
303
Crashes / fires
32 / 7
Injuries / deaths
35 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2004 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls

Recall 14V-435: Suspension

Reported Jul 18, 2014 · 271,773 vehicles affected · Hyundai Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 04V-131: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Mar 16, 2004 · 17,401 vehicles affected · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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.

Fix: Dealers will reprogram the ABS ECU. Owner notification began on march 24, 2004. Owners should contact hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.

Recall 03V-520: Equipment

Reported Dec 18, 2003 · 249,309 vehicles affected · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

2004 Hyundai Santa Fe problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Suspension71
Air Bags43
Vehicle Speed Control39
Service Brakes, Hydraulic25
Fuel/Propulsion System25
Engine and Engine Cooling22
Power Train21
Electrical System18
Service Brakes16
Engine16
Fuel System, Gasoline13
Structure12

Most reported parts

  • Suspension › Front — 15
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 8
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 7
  • Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs — 7
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module — 6
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 5
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 5
  • Structure › Body — 4

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 73,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Power Train · at 37,000 miles · reported Dec 6, 2023
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…
Engine · reported Oct 9, 2023
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.
Service Brakes · at 150,000 miles · reported Jun 1, 2023
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…
Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Jun 10, 2021
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.
Electrical System · at 260,000 miles · reported Jan 10, 2021
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…

Other Hyundai Santa Fe years

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Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe: 14V-435 (suspension), 04V-131 (service brakes, hydraulic), 03V-520 (equipment). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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

Owners report suspension problems most often (71 reports), followed by air bags (43). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 73,000 miles.

Are Hyundai recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Hyundai dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.