2004 Hyundai Sonata Research & Reviews

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.69/5 Average
288 Total Reviews
This Year's Model Updates:

There are no significant changes for 2004.

Pros:
  • Excellent warranty, pleasant highway ride, lots of bang for your family-sedan buck.
Cons:
  • Noisy four-cylinder engine, some cheap interior bits.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 288.00
  • My 2004 sonataa - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
    By -

    I bought my 2004 sonata used for only 4500! It now has 212,000 miles on it and runs awesome and has never left me stranded. The only thing ive had to do to it is a tune up, oil changes, changing of head lights and tail lights. I had to buy new tires after 2 years and a starter for it but thats it. It may sound like a lot but it was just regular maintenance that it needed. Never had any other problem with it. It just started making a creaking noise and i think its my cv axles that need replaced but i wouldnt trade this car for a new one because the space in the car is amazing i think and the new cars have to much technology in them and are compact cars that look big and bulky. Ill keep my 2004 hyundai sonata till it wont drive anymore! Hope this helps.

  • The best car if you take Care of it - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
    By -

    My hyundai belonged to my dad before he gave it to me. He bought it new and it has never had any major issues. Just did regular maintenance. The only thing I dont like is the headlights dont seem To be very bright! But other than that I love the car and its always been really reliable. Just watch out for the timing belt, because of the interference engine. Dont replace it late. Other than that the car is amazing and has never failed me. Already has 190000 miles on it and runs beautifully.

  • My Sonata - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
    By -

    For sure the head lights have a problem with having to be replaced. I also had to have the steering assembly replaced at over $1000. Now after 14 months it is starting to leak again and makes a buzzing noise due to that. Ive never owned a car where I had to replace such a component. Not happy about this at all.

  • Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
    By -

    I bought my Sonata with 17,000 miles on it. It now has 204,000 miles and its still going strong. It has never once left me stranded, and Ive only had to do the usual car maintenance: brakes, tires, tune up, etc. I have been meticulous about oil changes every 3,000 miles. The interior is still in great shape, and it continues to be a comfortable ride, still. Truly the best car Ive ever owned. My only complaint is that its not the greatest in terms of gas mileage.

  • Ive never had a more reliable car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
    By -

    Ive had this car for about 6 years now. It has never let me down. Not long after buying it, I rear-ended an old truck that should have, in all honesty, torn things up. The car started right back up and has been running flawlessly ever since. Ive never had a bad belt and, unlike my Ford, a broken a/c compressor doesnt affect engine performance. The serpentine belt started squealing a little shortly before the alternator went dead earlier this year, but I suspect a squeaky pulley rather than the belt. There is plenty of power and handles very well. I trust it to keep me and my family safe on the road, within reason.

  • Reliable, but has little else going for it. - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
    By -

    Despite check engine lights, awful squealing from the serpentine belt, and a transmission fluid leak that prompted an emergency repair (shifts smoothly years later), this car has NEVER failed me. That said, there are issues. Constant rattling from interior trim pieces. Serpentine belt squeals despite several repairs. A headlight that is prone to failure. The 2.4 I4 has that wonderful combination of disappointing gas mileage and a deficit in power, and it shakes quite a bit. Handling is somewhere between Buick and BMW. But all in all, if you just need reliable transportation and dont mind getting the heck annoyed out of you, by all means get it. Certainly cheaper than alternatives.

  • yay i bought a car... - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
    By -

    Got my Sonota because of consumer reviews saying how much they all loved there car. Not the case with me. Took it off the lot and cerpintene belt immediatley started squiling, something not right with ignition(car hesitates),speakers started ratelling and check engine light came on. Repaired the cerpentine belt twice only for the d*mn thing to start squeling again. Decided to deal with it till driving to work one morning and com sensor went (took hyundai 3 days to figure out). 29 day mark of ownership, had the car taken to the dealership. oh ya, was very comfortable to drive, an only 60,000 miles.

  • A very well built car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
    By -

    Bought my 2004 Sonata 4cyl base model used in 2006 with 24K miles. My car currently has 138K miles and still going. No major work needed. Biggest repair was the cv/boot from all the speed bumps I went over. This cost about $600. Also needed a new engine mount at about 100K miles. I get 25MPG city and 31MPG on long trips. The other drawback is the paint job. Very peeled, but not worth repairing for a 7 year old car. They make good cars.

  • Reliable Driver - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
    By -

    Got this vehicle from my mother 4 years ago. Has been very reliable with no major repairs required to this point. Comfort of seats is fair and interior design on base model is bland but it gets the job done.

  • Trouble - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
    By -

    Fuel pump has failed 3xs sense ownership at 50k. The water pump went out at 100,000 which destroyed the pistons, brand new timing belt and the heads. Now I have a brand new Hyundai (joy). The car looks brand new after having the hubcap and door handles painted. Ride and comfort is fine but overall not impressed

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