2004 Hyundai Santa Fe: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe: 3 recalls, 303 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment Vehicle recall #03V520000 · 2003 · 249,309 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: The tire pressure labels do not contain the information required by the standard.
The 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.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #04V131000 · 2004 · 17,401 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 to develop. At speeds below 5 mph, the ABS sensor signal noise May cause the ABS electronic…
Why it matters: If an extended stopping distance occurs, it could result in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the ABS ECU. Owner notification began on March 24, 2004. Owners should contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Suspension Vehicle recall #14V435000 · 2014 · 271,773 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles May experience front coil spring corrosion from road salt, causing the coil spring to fracture and make contact with the tire.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 7 mention a fire, 35 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Suspension (69): the most common themes are noise or vibration (19), rust / corrosion (7).
- Airbags (43): the most common themes are fails to deploy (12), warning light on (9).
- Speed control / throttle (39): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (15).
- Fuel & propulsion (25): the most common themes are leaks (13), rust / corrosion (8), stalls / loses power (6).
The 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe has 303 owner complaints, ranking #9 of 26 Santa Fe model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 295). Complaints peaked in 2014 (37 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 72,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (308 complaints, 4 recalls), 2005 (216 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | Regular |
| 2.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
| 2.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 17 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?
Owners have filed 303 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are suspension (69), airbags (43), speed control / throttle (39).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe get?
EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.