Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. While the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal odor of fuel inside and outside the vehicle. The contact noticed fuel leaking and that the check engine indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (columbia Hyundai, 10981 montgomery rd, cincinnati, oh 45249, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the coil spring and fuel tank needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the vehicle was 15 years old and exceeded the mileage to be included in a recall. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 198,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving approximately 30 MPH, a loud noise emitted from the front passenger side and the passenger side of the vehicle suddenly lowered. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the front coil spring had fractured and part of the spring had punctured the front passenger tire causing the tire to deflate. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who indicated that the coil spring would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. In October of 2014, the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 14V435000 (suspension). The vehicle was inspected and a protector plate was installed on the front coil spring. In April of 2016, while the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, the contact was informed that the front coil spring was corroded and rusted and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 176,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the air bag warning lamp flashed randomly. The vehicle was also included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V435000 (suspension). The part was unavailable to schedule the recall repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.
Got into car morning of the tenth. Car was making noise. Parked car. Husband took look at it notice heat shield lose. That did not turn out to be noise.on closer inspection notice broken coil spring front drivers side. Funny they are recalling this model car for this potential problem, but my 2004 Santa Fe actually had this failure and it is not covered !
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 that recall,but I my vehicle is having those exact issues addressed in the recall
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
Drivers side coil spring broken. Strut mount also needed to be replaced. I bought this car new in 2004. As the mileage will tell you, I don't drive it much. My car had been sitting in the driveway for a couple of days when I went to go to work. As I started backing out of the driveway I heard a very loud noise when I turned the wheel. I decided not to try driving it. My husband took it to the dealer and they found the spring broken. They said I was no longer under warranty. Fortunately, I was not driving it at the time as it could have punctured the tire and caused a blowout. Since this incident, it has happened again, on the passenger side. This time it had been sitting for about 4 days in the driveway and when I went to back out, I heard it. We immediately took it to a nearby garage and found the spring had broken and was rubbing on the tire. …
Related recalls
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.
Suspension complaints in other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has 69 complaints about the suspension of the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe, 23% of the model year's 303 complaints. The component named most often is front (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-435 (coil springs, Jul 18, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 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.