Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 303 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 50 | 17% |
| Air bags | 32 | 11% |
| Vehicle speed control | 27 | 9% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 19 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 18 | 6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 16 | 5% |
| Power train | 15 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 10 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 8 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 wi
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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 s
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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 i
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I HAVE A 2004 HYUNDIA SANTA FE AND THE ENGINE STARTED WITH LOUD KNOCKING SOUNDS IN MY DRIVEWAY. I HAD IT TOLL TO AVONDALE EARNHARDT HYUNDIA'S DEALERSHIP. THE DIAGOSTIC WAS "FOUND ENGINE KNOCK CAN BE HEARD AT BOTTOM E
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE SUNROOF DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DE
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
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 T
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
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 1-8
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.
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 SE
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.
| Reliability raw | 74 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 66 | good |
| Performance | 62 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 303 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 50 of them (17%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 74/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.