IllustrationI NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON BACK IN MAY 2004. NOW THE LIGHT ON THE DRIVER AIR BAG IS ON AND THE PASSENGER LIGHT FOR THE AIR BAG IS OFF. I AM CONCERNRD THST NEITHER AIR BAGS ARE NOT WORKING. WHAT SHOULD I DO? THERE HAS BEEN NO INCIDENT SO I WILL JUST PUT APPROX. DATE OF THE AIR BAG LIGHTS.
2004 Hyundai Elantra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Hyundai Elantra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 182.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Elantra years →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
510–25K
1325–50K
2050–75K
1175–100K
13100–150K
4150K+
112 reports with mileage · 70 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 114 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
24 crash reports2 fire reports18 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
114 reportsHIT A TELEPHONE POLE GOING ABOUT 40MPH N THE AIRBAG WENT OFF ABOUT 5 SECONDS AFTER. MY NECK PAIN HAS GONE TO MY BACK AND HEAD N MY BODY IS BECOMING DEFORMED AND SHUTTING DOWN. I'M TRYING TO GET HELP BUT I GUESS I WAITED TOO LONG. I WAS INJURED N NEVER TREATED HOPING IT WOULD GO AWAY BUT IT DID NOT. THE AIRBAG WOULD HAVE DEFINITE…
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HIT A TELEPHONE POLE GOING ABOUT 40MPH N THE AIRBAG WENT OFF ABOUT 5 SECONDS AFTER. MY NECK PAIN HAS GONE TO MY BACK AND HEAD N MY BODY IS BECOMING DEFORMED AND SHUTTING DOWN. I'M TRYING TO GET HELP BUT I GUESS I WAITED TOO LONG. I WAS INJURED N NEVER TREATED HOPING IT WOULD GO AWAY BUT IT DID NOT. THE AIRBAG WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY HELPED ME OUT! ALSO THIS WAS IN PENNSYLVANIA NOT OHIO.
THE VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND "B" PILLAR SUFFICIENTLY TO SHATTER THE WINDOW, POP OPEN THE DOOR AND BEND THE B PILLAR. THE DOOR AND B PILLAR IMPACTED THE DRIVER BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED......UPDATED 05-27-15 *BF
IT IS 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT. THE CAR IS NEVER BEEN ANY ACCIDENT BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON . THE SAME YEAR CAR HAS RECALL FOR AIRBAG LIGHT BUT NOT FOR THIS MODEL . I THINK HYUNDAI SHOULD RECALL THIS MODEL (2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT) AND FIX THE AIRBAG BEFORE ANY MAJOR ACCIDENT HAPPEN TO ANY OWNER. *TR
THE AIR BAGS LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON MEANING THE MODULE IS NOT FUNCTIONING. I HAD THE CAR INSPECTED AND IT FAILED DUE TO THIS ISSUE. RECORDS SHOW A RECALL WAS REGISTERED IN 05. WELL HERE IT IS 10 YEARS LATER AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED AND SOMETHING OVERLOOKED. IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD REGARDING MY LIFE AND OTHERS AS WELL NOT KN…
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THE AIR BAGS LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON MEANING THE MODULE IS NOT FUNCTIONING. I HAD THE CAR INSPECTED AND IT FAILED DUE TO THIS ISSUE. RECORDS SHOW A RECALL WAS REGISTERED IN 05. WELL HERE IT IS 10 YEARS LATER AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED AND SOMETHING OVERLOOKED. IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD REGARDING MY LIFE AND OTHERS AS WELL NOT KNOWING IF THESE AIR BAGS DEPLOY OR NOT WHILE I'M ON THE ROAD. I NEED THIS RESOLVED QUICKLY. THEY NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME SO WHY'S IT HAPPENING AGAIN? *TR
CAR SLID ON SNOW HIT TREE AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. NEITHER FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYED!!!! PASSENGER HIT AND SHATTERED WINDSHIELD. DRIVER HIT STEERING WHEEL. CAR TOTAL LOSS!!!!.....UPDATED 02-03-15 *BF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE SKIDDED AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF A POLICE REPORT WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE SKIDDED AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
FROM STOP SIGN PROCEEDED TO CROSS INTERSECTION, WAS STRUCK ON FRONT END OF DRIVERS SIDE PANEL AND BUMPER, SPUN AROUND AND HIT AGAIN ON DRIVER BACK SIDE PANEL AND REAR WHEEL, RIPPED HALF OF THE FRONT BUMPER AND CRUSHED DRIVERS FRONT SIDE AGAINST ENGINE , NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *TR
THE ELANTRA WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND WHEN IN THE INTERSECTION WAS T-BONED BY A TRACTOR TAILOR WHO RAN THE RED LIGHT AT EST 25 MPH. THE IMPACT SPUN THE CAR 180+ DEGREES, LIGHTLY CLIPPING A TELEPHONE POLE AND HIT BACK INTO THE TRUCK WHERE THE CAR STOPPED. THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS NOR FRONTAL AIRBAGS DI…
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THE ELANTRA WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND WHEN IN THE INTERSECTION WAS T-BONED BY A TRACTOR TAILOR WHO RAN THE RED LIGHT AT EST 25 MPH. THE IMPACT SPUN THE CAR 180+ DEGREES, LIGHTLY CLIPPING A TELEPHONE POLE AND HIT BACK INTO THE TRUCK WHERE THE CAR STOPPED. THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS NOR FRONTAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT DID LOCK AND THE INJURIES WERE WHIP LASH, CONCUSSION, AND CUTS AND CONTUSIONS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE AIR BAG DEACTIVATION LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHENEVER SOMEONE WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN N…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE AIR BAG DEACTIVATION LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHENEVER SOMEONE WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V395000 (AIR BAGS) AND PREVIOUSLY HAD RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Official recalls
505V479000 · Air Bags
Oct 17, 2005
CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) INSTALLED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE MAY MISCLASSIFY A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT (CRS) AS AN ADULT. THIS MAY OCCUR IF THE CRS IS INSTALLED AFTER AN ADULT HAS BEEN SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. IF THERE HAS NOT BEEN A 'KEY ON' ' KEY OFF' CYCLE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT EMPTY PRIOR TO INSTALLATION OF THE CRS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF A CRS AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG OR SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S OCS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO REMOVE THE FEATURE THAT MAY CAUSE THE CRS TO BE RECOGNIZED AS AN ADULT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.
05V395000 · Air Bags
Sep 12, 2005
CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) INSTALLED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE MAY MISCLASSIFY A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT (CRS) AS AN ADULT. THIS MAY OCCUR IF THE CRS IS INSTALLED AFTER AN ADULT HAS BEEN SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. IF THERE HAS NOT BEEN A 'KEY ON' ' KEY OFF' CYCLE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT EMPTY PRIOR TO INSTALLATION OF THE CRS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF A CRS AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG OR SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S OCS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO REMOVE THE FEATURE THAT MAY CAUSE THE CRS TO BE RECOGNIZED AS AN ADULT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 31, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
04V370000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Jul 30, 2004
DURING AN INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY (IIHS) OFFSET FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACT TEST, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT FUEL TAN DAMAGE COULD OCCUR. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP THAT IS LOCATED NEAR THE FUEL TANK MAY NOT BE POSITIONED PROPERLY AND COULD CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EARS AND CORRECTLY POSITION THE CLAMP, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.
04V208000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
May 3, 2004
DURING AN INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY (IIHS) OFFSET FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACT TEST ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, FUEL SPILLAGE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF FUEL TANK DAMAGE CAUSED BY CONTACT BETWEEN A VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EAR AND THE FUEL TANK. THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EAR WAS FOUND TO BE MISPOSITIONED AND FACING TOWARD THE FUEL TANK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE COULD CAUSE THE MISPOSITIONED CLAMP TO PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP AND CORRECTLY POSITION THE CLAMP, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
03V322000 · Air Bags
Aug 26, 2003
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, IF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED OR IS OCCUPIED BY SOMEONE LIGHTER THAN 56.4 POUNDS, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED AND WILL NOT DEPLOY IF A CRASH OCCURS. HOWEVER, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR MAY INCORRECTLY INTERPRET THAT A SEATED ADULT IS AN INFANT SEAT AND DEACTIVATE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IF SOMEONE HEAVIER THAN 56.4 POUNDS WHO IS SEATED WITH ONE LEG RESTING ON THE OUTBOARD OR INBOARD EDGE OF THE SEAT; WITH LEGS SPREAD; OR POSITIONED OFF-CENTER TOWARD THE CENTER CONSOLE AND WITH HIS OR HER ARM LEANING ON THE CONSOLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER.
Remedy: THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR WILL BE REPROGRAMMED.
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
1PE04041 · POST-CRASH Fuel Tank Leak
Opened Apr 16, 2004 · Closed Jul 13, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
PE04-041 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE A FUEL LEAK INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED DURING AN INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY (IIHS) FRONTAL CRASH OFFSET TEST ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLE.THIS INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EAR WAS MISPOSITIONED AND FACING TOWARD THE FUEL TANK, WHICH ENABLED THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EAR TO PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL TANK TO LEAK STODDARD FLUID DURING THE IIHS CRASH TEST.ON APRIL 30, 2004, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY (HYUNDAI) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN CERTAIN MY 2004 ELANTRA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2003 THROUGH APRIL 14, 2004.THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED THE MISPOSITIONING OF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP, WHICH RESULTED FROM AN EARLY SEPTEMBER MANUFACTURING CHANGE AT THE SUPPLIER THAT INSTALLED THE HOSE CLAMP ON THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.IF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP IS MISPOSITIONED SO THAT ONE OF ITS EARS IS FACING THE FUEL TANK AND THAT VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN HIGH SPEED CRASH, THE CLAMP MAY PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.HYUNDAI WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POSITION OF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP INSPECTED AND CORRECTLY REPOSITIONED, IF NECESSARY.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
PE04-041 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE A FUEL LEAK INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED DURING AN INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY (IIHS) FRONTAL CRASH OFFSET TEST ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLE.THIS INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EAR WAS MISPOSITIONED AND FACING TOWARD THE FUEL TANK, WHICH ENABLED THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EAR TO PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL TANK TO LEAK STODDARD FLUID DURING THE IIHS CRASH TEST.ON APRIL 30, 2004, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY (HYUNDAI) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN CERTAIN MY 2004 ELANTRA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2003 THROUGH APRIL 14, 2004.THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED THE MISPOSITIONING OF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP, WHICH RESULTED FROM AN EARLY SEPTEMBER MANUFACTURING CHANGE AT THE SUPPLIER THAT INSTALLED THE HOSE CLAMP ON THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.IF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP IS MISPOSITIONED SO THAT ONE OF ITS EARS IS FACING THE FUEL TANK AND THAT VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN HIGH SPEED CRASH, THE CLAMP MAY PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.HYUNDAI WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POSITION OF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP INSPECTED AND CORRECTLY REPOSITIONED, IF NECESSARY.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
PE04-041 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE A FUEL LEAK INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED DURING AN INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY (IIHS) FRONTAL CRASH OFFSET TEST ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLE.THIS INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EAR WAS MISPOSITIONED AND FACING TOWARD THE FUEL TANK, WHICH ENABLED THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EAR TO PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL TANK TO LEAK STODDARD FLUID DURING THE IIHS CRASH TEST.ON APRIL 30, 2004, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY (HYUNDAI) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN CERTAIN MY 2004 ELANTRA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2003 THROUGH APRIL 14, 2004.THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED THE MISPOSITIONING OF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP, WHICH RESULTED FROM AN EARLY SEPTEMBER MANUFACTURING CHANGE AT THE SUPPLIER THAT INSTALLED THE HOSE CLAMP ON THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.IF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP IS MISPOSITIONED SO THAT ONE OF ITS EARS IS FACING THE FUEL TANK AND THAT VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN HIGH SPEED CRASH, THE CLAMP MAY PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.HYUNDAI WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POSITION OF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP INSPECTED AND CORRECTLY REPOSITIONED, IF NECESSARY.