Most common 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe problems
Share of the 303 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Hyundai Santa Fe complaints by model year
Best Santa Fe years: 2018, 2011. Years to avoid: 2017, 2025, 2023, 2013, 2024. Compare all years →
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls (3)
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs
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,…
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
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…
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ABS ECU. Owner notification began on March 24, 2004. Owners should contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Equipment › Other › Labels
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."
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.
What 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe owners say
Suspension all 69 →
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 noise, and the vehicle was unstable when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact had to cautiously apply the brake pedal and, at times, depress the brake pedal with force to ensure that the vehicle would stop. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V435000 (suspension) and 04V131000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the manufacturer issued three tsbs for the brakes and three tsbs for the suspension. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.
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 NHTSA site they would not do it call back to hyundia as number on government site they made a case number 16604156 amber at [phone] 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 NHTSA site are not correct brown leesburg Hyundai leesburg va 20176
Brakes all 43 →
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.
This vehicle was driven approx. 1/2 mile from home when power steering and brakes failed. It was pulled off of the road and stopped with the emergency brake. Immediately flames shot up the windshield. The entire interior was completely destroyed as well 3/4 of the exterior.
Air bags all 43 →
I was in a serious car accident back in December 7, 2005 with my 2004 hyundia sante Fe. The car was totaled and scrapped thus I do not have the VIN number handy. I do still have the paperwork from the hospital and the personal injury lawyer. The airbags did not deploy. I was the only person in the vehicle. I was driving home from work on my usual route on easton avenue. I'm told (reports from witnessess) a young girl came out of a side street and hit me in the rear drivers side which in turn spun my car into 2 other vehichles on the opposite side of the road I was travelling down. As stated earlier I have little recall since the impact knocked me unconscious. I suffered a broken nose (scar still there) and torn left shoulder- which still bother me daily. I was hit blindside and spin into 2 other vehicles- knocked unconscious. …
I was involved in an accident while driving down a city street in plano, texas. A truck pulled out to get into the middle lane and was caught off and forced to pull into my lane directly in front of me. My brakes locked up after trying to stop, which isn't a problem because I know it is normal. What occurred was that as I struck the truck in front of me, my air bags didn't deploy, and my seat belt had failed to lock. Which caused me to collide with the steering wheel. The speed I struck the truck, which was going about 10 MPH when we collided, was about 45 MPH.
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 25 / 20 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 18 / 25 / 20 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 24 / 20 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 19 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe a good car?
Based on 303 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 Santa Fe rates average: 23% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Santa Fe at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe?
The suspension — 69 complaints, 23% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front. Next are the brakes (43) and air bags (43).
How many recalls does the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe, the most recent from July 18, 2014 (coil springs). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Hyundai Santa Fe?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2017, 2025, 2023, 2013 and 2024. See the full Hyundai Santa Fe years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 73,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.