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EnginePart report

2004 Hyundai Sonata Engine Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
2%of 202 total for the year
Median mileage
130,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2004 Hyundai Sonata, 2% of the 202 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 130,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Backing into the garage, my foot on brake, the engine suddenly revved to high RPM, the car shot backwards, propelling a heavy rubber mat on which the car is normally parked out of the garage and into the driveway. The vehicle then impacted and crashed through the rear garage wall before coming to a stop. I managed to pry the gear lever out of reverse, hit drive instead and sent the car, wheels still spinning and laying down rubber, forward out of the garage. On its way out the car swiped along the right side the garage door post before finally coming to a stop in the driveway. …”

NHTSA complaint #10504759, filed 2013-03, 85,000 miles

“The car started losing speed and stalled a couple of times. The camshaft sensor and crankshaft sensors were replaced. The problem happened 6 months later.”

NHTSA complaint #10574627, filed 2014-03, 130,000 miles

“Leaking valve cover is allowing oil to leak down onto the alternator. Car can be stationary or running. Most notable when car engine is running. Oil leaking onto alternator can cause alternator to short. Alternator failed and car battery could not charge battery. Car died while my wife was driving and she had to pull quickly off to the side of the road.”

NHTSA complaint #11182857, filed 2019-02

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025212%
202436%
20232832%
20222526%
20213425%
20203218%
20198754%
201821257%
201738550%
201645262%
201562955%
201430340%
201373939%
201256736%
201196829%
2010298%
20095612%
20084811%
2007416%
2006444%
200564%
200452%
200332%
200252%
200110%

Other parts of the 2004 Hyundai Sonata

Suspension
56 complaints
Body and structure
47 complaints
Air bags
46 complaints
Electrical system
17 complaints
Brakes
16 complaints
Steering
13 complaints
Wheels
13 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
12 complaints
Other or unknown
12 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
10 complaints
Fuel system
8 complaints
Engine cooling
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 Hyundai Sonata

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology