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
What owners actually said
182 reports
12,000 miles · Feb 26, 2005
Air Bags
ONGOING FAILURE SINCE CAR WAS PURCHASED. PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF ALMOST CONSTANTLY NO MATTER WHO SITS IN MY CAR. 150 LB GIRLFRIEND CAN NOT GET THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT TO TURN OFF, NO MATTER HOW SHE SITS. 145 LB FEMALE FRIEND ONLY GETS THE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT TO TURN OFF ABOUT 10% OF THE TIME. HYUNDAI DEALER SAYS IT OPERATE…
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ONGOING FAILURE SINCE CAR WAS PURCHASED. PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF ALMOST CONSTANTLY NO MATTER WHO SITS IN MY CAR. 150 LB GIRLFRIEND CAN NOT GET THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT TO TURN OFF, NO MATTER HOW SHE SITS. 145 LB FEMALE FRIEND ONLY GETS THE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT TO TURN OFF ABOUT 10% OF THE TIME. HYUNDAI DEALER SAYS IT OPERATES AS DESIGNED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10112190
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2005
Air Bags
2004 ELANTRA OCS SYSTEM MODIFICATION.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT WHO MET THE WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10128075
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2005
Air Bags
NHTSA RECALL 03V322000 CONCERNING AIR BAG SENSOR . THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. HOWEVER, THE SENSOR ON THE AIR BAG WAS NOT TURNING ON WHEN THE PASSENGER GOT INTO THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10106739
20 miles · Jan 4, 2005
Air Bags
PASSENGER'S AIR BAG SHOULD BE TURNED ON WHEN SENSOR READS WEIGHT OVER 56.4 POUNDS. HOWEVER, AIR BAG IS TURNING ON AFTER READING 160 POUNDS. DEALER CAN REPROGRAM AIR BAG SENSOR AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.*AK *TC
NHTSA ODI #10103318
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2005
Air Bags
WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG SENSOR WORKED INTERMITTENTLY WITH SOMEONE SITTING IN THE SEAT. CONSUME CONTACTED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS THE COVER THAT WAS ON THE SEAT. AND THEN SAID IT WAS THE WAY THE CONSUMER WAS SITTING. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10106610
Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2004
Exterior Lighting
I PURCHASED A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IN SEPTEMBER 2004. I HAVE HAD LITTLE TROUBLE WITH THE VEHICLE. I DRIVE TO WORK AT 4:30 AM. ONE MORNING, I TOOK A DIFFERENT ROUTE. THERE WERE BARRIER POLES PLANTED IN THE ROAD. I DID NOT SEE THEM UNTIL THE VERY LAST MINUTE. I SWERVED TO AVOID THEM. AT THE TOLL PLAZA, THE POLICE PULLED ME …
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I PURCHASED A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IN SEPTEMBER 2004. I HAVE HAD LITTLE TROUBLE WITH THE VEHICLE. I DRIVE TO WORK AT 4:30 AM. ONE MORNING, I TOOK A DIFFERENT ROUTE. THERE WERE BARRIER POLES PLANTED IN THE ROAD. I DID NOT SEE THEM UNTIL THE VERY LAST MINUTE. I SWERVED TO AVOID THEM. AT THE TOLL PLAZA, THE POLICE PULLED ME TO THE SIDE AND TOLD ME MY LIGHTS WERE OFF. THE SWITCH WAS ON, BUT THERE WERE NO HEADLIGHTS. SINCE THEN, A NUMBER OF DRIVERS SIGNALED TO ME THAT MY LIGHTS WERE OFF. I WAS AGAIN STOPPED BY THE POLICE AND TOLD MY LIGHTS WERE OFF. MY LIGHT SWITCH WAS IN THE ON POSITION. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND THEY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. I STILL DO NOT FEEL THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS ARE BRIGHT ENOUGH. ANY HELP YOU COULD OFFER WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU DIANNE C. BURGER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10104831
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2004
Air Bags
MY 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA PASSENGER AIRBAG IS NOT ENABLED EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER WITH TWICE THE ADVERTISED MINIMUM REQUIRED WEIGHT OCCUPIES THE SEAT. A HYUNDAI BULLETIN TELLS PASSENGESR TO SIT STIFF LIKE A MANNEQUIN TO ACTIVATE SENSORS TO ENABLE THE BAG, BUT THAT'S NOT PRACTICAL. HYUNDAI ALSO OFFERS TO REPROGRAM THE SENSORS TO REQ…
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MY 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA PASSENGER AIRBAG IS NOT ENABLED EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER WITH TWICE THE ADVERTISED MINIMUM REQUIRED WEIGHT OCCUPIES THE SEAT. A HYUNDAI BULLETIN TELLS PASSENGESR TO SIT STIFF LIKE A MANNEQUIN TO ACTIVATE SENSORS TO ENABLE THE BAG, BUT THAT'S NOT PRACTICAL. HYUNDAI ALSO OFFERS TO REPROGRAM THE SENSORS TO REQUIRE LESS WEIGHT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH DEACTIVATING (PERMANANTLY SHUTTING OFF) THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT. BUT THERE'S NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT LOWERING THE PROGRAMMED WEIGHT WILL ENABLE THE BAGS SINCE IT ALREADY DOESN'T COME ON WITH 130 POUNDS BUT IS SUPPOSED TO COME ON AT 56 POUNDS. DISABLING THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT IS ONLY AN EFFORT TO MAKE OCCUPANTS UNAWARE AS TO IF THE BAGS ARE ENABLED OR NOT AND THEREBY LESSEN THE BURDEN FOR HYUNDAI. OWNERS SHOULD NOT EXPECT A SOLUTION ANY TIME SOON SINCE THE TECHNOLOGY DOES NOT EXIST THAT KEEPS THE AIRBAGS ON WHEN AN ADULT PASSENGER MAY SQUIRM AROUND, CROSS THEIR LEGS, OR EVEN SIT NORMALLY AT TIMES. A POSITIVE SOLUTION WOULD BE TO RECALL THE VEHICLES TO INSTALL A KEYED SWITCH THAT CAN BE TOGGLED BY THE OWNER, AND ELIMINATE THE SENSORS ALL TOGETHER. AT THIS POINT, ANY CURRENTLY OFFERED SOLUTION BY HYUNDAI, WHICH INCLUDES NOT SITTING IN THE SEAT, OR USING ANOTHER CAR, OR SITTING PERFECTLY STILL, OR HAVING THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT DISABLED, IS ONLY DESIGNED TO BENEFIT THE COMPANY AND NOT THE CONSUMER, NOR TO MAKE THE BAGS WORK AS ADVERTISED. TSPAULT@SBCGLOBAL.NET. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10104416
Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2004
Air Bags
THE AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10105041
10,000 miles · Dec 17, 2004
Air Bags
WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10105034
8,100 miles · Dec 17, 2004
Air Bags
FAILURE OF PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM TO ARM ITSELF WHEN PASSENGER IN FRONT SEAT IS PRESENT. WARNING ON DASH PANEL SAYS "PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNED OFF". THERE WAS NO INCIDENT, JUST FAILURE TO ARM. DEALER CAN NOT CORRECT PROBLEM, SUGGESTS CONTACT WITH MANUFACTURER WHICH I DID. AM AWAITING REPLY. *JB
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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.
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