Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Hyundai Sonata owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated her fiance was driving 20-25 MPH on a steep hill with her in the front passenger's side seat. The contact stated that her fiance depressed the brake pedal to come to a complete stop at the stop sign, but the brake pedal went down to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact's fiance veered to the left and intentionally hit a telephone pole to avoid crashing into a parked vehicle, and to prevent a more severe accident from occurring as the road was significantly steep. The brake warning light was illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a seatbelt mark. The contact's fiance was not wearing a seatbelt and hit his head against the windshield. The contact's fiance sustained a concussion, a laceration on the chin, a chipped front left upper tooth and bruises on the bottom teeth. …
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated and the fog lights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to the dealer. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of his vehicle at an unknown speed. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to any time towing lot in lewiston, maine. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
My foot slide off the break, and hit my van in the back bumper in my driveway and two weeks later my air bag light came on and never went off. At my home, no reports, or damage other them cut on my bumper due to the haul on the van.
We own a 2004 Hyundai Sonata (109,000 miles) we had a front end collision with significant damage. Me and my wife suffered minor injuries and the airbags did not deploy. We found out on the internet that there are frequent complaints if this failure around the nation and also in many Hyundai models across multiple years. We are filing the complaint since the error is critical and seems to be systemic in Hyundai vehicles. We do not know if NHTSA handles cars that are over 100,000 miles but we felt a complaint was warranted since the consequence of the error is so extreme. We fear for our safety with this vehicle now! Being a disabled veteran, on a fixed income, we find it difficult to accept that Hyundai takes no responsibility for this problem. Its not easy for us to replace the car.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 10 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the driver's side of the contact's vehicle. The driver's side doors were completely smashed in and the frame was bent. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver of the vehicle sustained major injuries to her left shoulder. The passengers in the other vehicle were uninjured. A police report was filed. The manufacturer stated that the air bags operated in the manner they were designed; therefore, they were not liable for the repairs. The dealer has not been notified. The vehicle was destroyed. The current and failure mileages were 65,000.
My air bag light came on in my car. I took my car to the Hyundai dealer at southtowne Hyundai in riverdale georgia and they didn't call the manufacturer about my car. My car was hit t-bone on the driver's side front head light and the airbags didn't deploy.I asked the dealer several times to call because my airbag light should not come on by itself. The dealer just wanted me to pay over $500.00 to get it repaired. I wanted to know at anytime was the airbag model for my car recalled and Hyundai kept it a secret.this is the second Hyundai I have purchased. I called my car my Jaguar.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a crash and the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was struck broad sided on the passenger side between both doors. Both passengers of the vehicle were wearing seat belts and received only minor injuries. The vehicle was able to be driven away from the scene. The police were at the scene of the accident and provided a written report; however, the vehicle has not been inspected by the insurance company. Updated 5/2/2006-
Dt: the contact's vehicle was involved in a crash. Upon impact, front and side air bags did not deploy. Also, the seat belts did not restrain the contact and her passenger in the seats. The contact was thrown into the steering wheel, and the passenger hit the windshield. Both sustained serious injuries and broken bones. A police report was taken, and an insurance report was filed. Pictures are available for review. The vehicle was repaired. Updated 2/21/2006 -
Airbag light stays on. An internet search indicates that this is a chronic problem with 2014 sonatas, but Hyundai has failed to issue a recall. There is, however, a recall for the 2013 sonatas. Don't understand why there is not a recall. I purchased my car early in 2004 year. Many parts are carryovers from the previous year.
Airbag complaints in other Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2004 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 Hyundai Sonata, 23% of the model year's 202 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Hyundai Sonata airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2004 Hyundai Sonata, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Hyundai Sonata airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 1 fire and 15 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.