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2004 Hyundai Accent

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Hyundai Accent do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 64.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

23 reports with mileage · 10 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports2 fire reports10 injury reports

What owners actually said

33 reports
67,505 miles · Apr 23, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control

SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD AT REGULAR SPEED. THIS HAS HAPPENED NOW FOR THE THIRD TIME SINCE OCTOBER 2017. THE LATEST INCIDENT ON 4/23/2018.

NHTSA ODI #11089663

95,000 miles · Aug 15, 2016
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A SEVERE VIBRATION WAS FELT FROM THE REAR WHEELS. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND OBSERVED THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A SEVERE VIBRATION WAS FELT FROM THE REAR WHEELS. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND OBSERVED THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 10/06/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI #10896007

79,000 miles · Nov 30, 2015
Air BagsCrashFire

TAKATA RECALL ON 11/29/2015 DRIVING ON PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE GOING 60-65 MPH VEHICLE IN FRONT STOPPED. IMPACT TOTALED CAR. HOOD CRUMBLED UP, HEADLIGHT WITH COMPLETE HOUSING DESTROYED, RADIATOR SPILLED FLUID, ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND MY HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD. NO WEATHER ISSUES. ACCIDENT OCCURRED AROUND 12:30 PM. POLICE REPORT WA…

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TAKATA RECALL ON 11/29/2015 DRIVING ON PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE GOING 60-65 MPH VEHICLE IN FRONT STOPPED. IMPACT TOTALED CAR. HOOD CRUMBLED UP, HEADLIGHT WITH COMPLETE HOUSING DESTROYED, RADIATOR SPILLED FLUID, ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND MY HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD. NO WEATHER ISSUES. ACCIDENT OCCURRED AROUND 12:30 PM. POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND CAR TOWED. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI #10807506

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2015
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING LEFT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE AN UNKNOWN PART WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING LEFT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE AN UNKNOWN PART WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10747133

82,000 miles · Jul 9, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS ON THE ARM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. IT WAS UNKNOWN WHICH AIR BAG CAUSED THE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS ON THE ARM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. IT WAS UNKNOWN WHICH AIR BAG CAUSED THE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ODI #10732855

32,000 miles · Oct 9, 2014
Air BagsSteeringVisibility/wiperInjury

WIFE, 64,WAS DRIVING OUR ONE-OWNER 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT GL ON PRIVATE ROAD APPROX 15 MPH WHEN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT OF ANY SORT TO VEHICLE. WIFE WAS BADLY BRUISED ON ARMS AND FACE AND WINDSHIELD WAS SHATTERED BY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER WHEN BAGS DEPLOYED. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT SHE WAS NOT ON BUSY STREET OR ON…

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WIFE, 64,WAS DRIVING OUR ONE-OWNER 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT GL ON PRIVATE ROAD APPROX 15 MPH WHEN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT OF ANY SORT TO VEHICLE. WIFE WAS BADLY BRUISED ON ARMS AND FACE AND WINDSHIELD WAS SHATTERED BY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER WHEN BAGS DEPLOYED. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT SHE WAS NOT ON BUSY STREET OR ON INTERSTATE AS THIS WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY RESULTED IN A WRECK WITH SEVERE BODILY INJURY OR POSSIBLE DEATH. LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP (PERKINS MOTORS, COLORADO SPRINGS) REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. HYUNDAI HQ CUSTOMER SERVICE COMMITTED TO "SENDING US A PACKET OF PAPERWORK TO BE FILLED OUT AND RETURNED TO THEM BY US AND THEY WOULD GET BACK TO US IN 6 TO 8 WEEKS ONCE IT WAS RECEIVED TO SEE IF THEY WOULD DO ANYTHING." NO ONE FROM HYUNDAI HAS EXPRESSED ANY INTEREST IN SEEING THE VEHICLE OR RESPONDING TO A POTENTIALLY VERY HAZARDOUS VEHICLE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR LACK OF ANY SENSE OF OBLIGATION TO SEE WHAT WENT WRONG AND HOW IT MIGHT BE AVOIDED IN THE FUTURE. THEIR ATTITUDE IS THAT IT'S OUR PROBLEM AND THE FACT THAT IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE DOESN'T CONCERN THEM IN THE SLIGHTEST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10643710

30,000 miles · Jul 28, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP THE DRIVER WAS DISTRACTED BY CHILDREN PLAYING IN STREET. THE DRIVER VEERED RIGHT STRIKING A TELEPHONE POLE HEAD ON. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS TOTAL. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10616749

2,466 miles · Sep 25, 2012
SteeringWheels

AT 2,466 MILES, CAR PULLS TO RIGHT, AND IS DIFFICULT TO HOLD STEADY WHEN TURNING AT HIGH SPEEDS. TAKEN TO BURLINGAME HYUNDAI DEALER FOR REPAIR. TIRES WERE ROTATED. PROBLEM NOT RESOLVED. AT 4,782 MILES CAR WAS BROUGHT IN AGAIN FOR STEERING DIFFICULTY, FEELS LIKE THERE IS A TIRE GOING FLAT. FOUND THAT LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS BENT…

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AT 2,466 MILES, CAR PULLS TO RIGHT, AND IS DIFFICULT TO HOLD STEADY WHEN TURNING AT HIGH SPEEDS. TAKEN TO BURLINGAME HYUNDAI DEALER FOR REPAIR. TIRES WERE ROTATED. PROBLEM NOT RESOLVED. AT 4,782 MILES CAR WAS BROUGHT IN AGAIN FOR STEERING DIFFICULTY, FEELS LIKE THERE IS A TIRE GOING FLAT. FOUND THAT LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS BENT. TIRES ROTATED AGAIN, BENT WHEEL ON LEFT REAR, REPLACEMENT PART ORDERED. (UNDER WARRANTY) AT 5,393 MILES, CAR SHAKES AT ANY SPEED. BENT WHEEL WILL NOT BALANCE. REPLACEMENT PART SUPPOSEDLY PUT ON CAR. PROBLEM NOT RESOLVED. AT 25,616 MILES CAR TAKEN TO SAN FRANCISCO HYUNDAI FOR MULTI-POINT INSPECTION. DEALER RECOMMENDED 2 NEW TIRES AND ALIGNMENT. AT 25,797 MILES, CAR TAKEN TO ANOTHER SERVICE CENTER FOR ALIGNMENT AND NEW TIRES. CUSTOMER WAS TOLD THAT ALL 4 TIRES WERE ROTTED AND ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. CUSTOMER WAS TOLD FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO ALIGN THE CAMBER OR CASTER ON THIS MAKE/MODEL CAR. LEFT FRONT CAMBER WAS OUT OF SPECIFIED RANGE. (-0.9`) RIGHT REAR CAMBER WAS ALSO OUT OF SPECIFIED RANGE (-1.5`). AT 28,060 MILES CUSTOMER RETURNED TO OTHER SERVICE CENTER FOR 2 ADDITIONAL TIRES AND INSTALLATION OF 4 CAMBER KITS. AT THIS TIME IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE TIRES WOULDN'T BALANCE DUE TO WHEEL BEING BENT. SO THE BENT WHEEL WAS NEVER REPLACED BY THE DEALER! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476955

85,000 miles · Feb 4, 2011
Electrical SystemVisibility

THE HEATER FAN IN THE CAR WOULD ONLY WORK ON HIGH SPEED. IT WAS A CONTINUAL OCCURRENCE, THEREFORE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE INTERIOR HEAT AND DEFROSTER. IT WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME WHAT HAD FAILED ON THE SWITCH WERE TWO RECEPTACLES WHERE THE METAL WAS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOLI…

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THE HEATER FAN IN THE CAR WOULD ONLY WORK ON HIGH SPEED. IT WAS A CONTINUAL OCCURRENCE, THEREFORE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE INTERIOR HEAT AND DEFROSTER. IT WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME WHAT HAD FAILED ON THE SWITCH WERE TWO RECEPTACLES WHERE THE METAL WAS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOLID BUT HAD GOTTEN SO HOT THAT IT HAD MELTED AND THERE WAS NO LONGER A CONNECTION. I FELT COMPELLED TO REPORT THIS AS IT CONCERNED ME THAT IT MAY CAUSE A FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10380799

36,000 miles · Jun 30, 2010
Power Train

I OWN A 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT. FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS THE TRANSMISSION HAS HAD SIGNIFICANT ISSUES. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL RANDOMLY SLAM INTO A LOWER GEAR OR WILL GET STUCK IN A GEAR. THIS CAUSES SAFETY ISSUES DURING WINTER DRIVING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD AT TIMES WHEN SHIFTING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER INTO…

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I OWN A 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT. FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS THE TRANSMISSION HAS HAD SIGNIFICANT ISSUES. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL RANDOMLY SLAM INTO A LOWER GEAR OR WILL GET STUCK IN A GEAR. THIS CAUSES SAFETY ISSUES DURING WINTER DRIVING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD AT TIMES WHEN SHIFTING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER INTO TRAFFIC, THE CAR WILL BE STUCK IN 3 GEAR WHICH ALMOST HAS CAUSED AN ACCIDENT SEVERAL TIMES BY PULLING OUT TOO SLOW. I HAVE HAD IT IN TWICE TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITHOUT AN ENGINE CODE. THEY FLUSHED, FILLED AND PUT A NEW FILTER IN THE TRANSMISSION BUT THIS DID NOT HELP. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL WORK FINE FOR MONTHS OR A YEAR AT A TIME. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND THERE SEEMS TO BE MANY OWNERS THAT HAVE VOICED SIMILAR CONCERNS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10340819

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.