Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 202 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Hyundai Sonata, and it carries 1 recall. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 35 | 17% |
| Suspension | 32 | 16% |
| Structure | 23 | 11% |
| Suspension | 7 | 3% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 6 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 2% |
| Fuel system | 5 | 2% |
| Structure | 5 | 2% |
| Power train | 5 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
2004 Hyundai Sonata GLS front sub frame (K Frame) has rusted out but I guess for certain VIN numbers there was a recall. Mine has the same issue and has caused suspension issues with the control arms and axles, subframe
NHTSA complaint: Steering
On February, 16th 2026, I took my vehicle into the Automotive shop for an oil change. They inspected the car as well and they found that the front passenger side of the vehicle subframe has a substantial amount of the me
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
I got this car a Hyundai sonata 2004 about 2 to 3 years ago. At first I didn't notice the problem until a couple months into me having the car I was on the freeway and it suddenly felt like I was out of control of my car
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
My 2004 sonata which was manufactured 05/07/04. has front frame corrosion exactly like the 089 safety recall that hyundia issued already for 1998-2003. My car was manufactured a few months later and they are denying the
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
I currently own a 2004 Hyundai Sonata with a severe sub-fame deterioration, Unfortunately it does not fall under the so called salt belt states, That being said I don't know how Kansas does not fit that especially north
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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 com
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
UNKNOWN, I recently purchased it from a dealership in Lemon Grove Cailfornia. Ever since I bought it,it has never had a catalytic converter and only one muffler. It is a 2.7L motor DOHC and requires 2 catalytic converter
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle started shuddering. The contact stated she heard abnormal creaking and c
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2004 Hyundai Sonata. 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 IS RECALLING 188,282 MY 2001-2004 SONATA AND MY 2001-2004 XG300 AND XG350 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, O
Risk: IF THAT HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE MAY LOSE DRIVE POWER TO THE WHEELS, AND THE FRONT WHEEL MAY MAKE CONTACT WITH THE FENDER OR WHEEL WELL, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MEASURE THE THICKNESS OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME AND INSPECT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME FOR CORROSION DAMAGE AND, IF NECESSARY, THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW SUB-FRAME THAT INCORPO
| Reliability raw | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 84 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 69 | good |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 202 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 35 of them (17%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (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 75/100, 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.