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Exterior lightingPart report

2004 Hyundai Sonata Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
2%of 202 total for the year
Median mileage
74,723miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2004 Hyundai Sonata, 2% of the 202 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,723 miles.

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.

“Emergency flashers on my 2004 Hyundai Sonata began flashing for no apparent reason and could not be turned off (ignition was off), this continued for 15-30 minutes from the time it was noticed (neighbors knocked at the door to report that the flashers had been left on). The occurrence repeated several times throughout the night and the next day. Accessing the vehicle using the keyless entry, the doors re-locked themselves, and this repeated each time I unlocked them. …”

NHTSA complaint #10448060, filed 2012-02, 99,549 miles

“Emergency flashers began flashing for no apparent reason and would not be turned off. Then trying to use the keyless entry door opener, the locks began locking and unlocking. When the car was running this stopped. We took it to the dealer and they replaced the etac module, then the entire fuse box. After returning home, the hazard lights again began flashing while the car was parked. This would stop and begin again intermittently. Returned to the dealer and left the car for several days. Finally a switch was replaced and the problem ceased.”

NHTSA complaint #10295570, filed 2009-12, 57,446 miles

“I called Hyundai regarding the brake lamp recall issue in my car. I have the same issue of my brake lamps. When you depress the brakes the lamps are always illuminated it only goes off when the car is turned off. This causes several people to mistake if I am braking or not. I have read several peoples complaints on the recall website, and all of us are told that the recall has not affected your car after giving them the VIN. Well I say it is. I have the very problem spoke of in the recall. Second the recall does not say the car must also be unable to come out of park. …”

NHTSA complaint #10567504, filed 2014-03

“The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated and the fog lights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to the dealer. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11460738, filed 2022-04, 92,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the headlights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced both the driver and the passenger bulbs on four occasions, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Updated 04/08/15”

NHTSA complaint #10691526, filed 2015-03, 15,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024715%
202322%
202021%
20191811%
2018226%
2017203%
2016385%
2015383%
201412016%
201319710%
20121419%
20112497%
2010103%
2009143%
2008205%
2007355%
2006454%
20051710%
200452%
200332%
200221%
200110%
200021%
199932%
199812%
199724%
199614%
199314%
199215%

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
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 Hyundai Sonata

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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