general problems of the 2004 Hyundai Sonata

Ten problems related to service brakes have been reported for the 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Hyundai Sonata based on all problems reported for the 2004 Sonata.

1 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 11/06/2023

The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated her fiance was driving 20-25 mph on a steep hill with her in the front passenger's side seat. The contact stated that her fiance depressed the brake pedal to come to a complete stop at the stop sign, but the brake pedal went down to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact's fiance veered to the left and intentionally hit a telephone pole to avoid crashing into a parked vehicle, and to prevent a more severe accident from occurring as the road was significantly steep. The brake warning light was illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a seatbelt mark. The contact's fiance was not wearing a seat belt and hit his head against the windshield. The contact's fiance sustained a concussion, a laceration on the chin, a chipped front left upper tooth and bruises on the bottom teeth. The ambulance transported both the contact and her fiance to the hospital, where they received medical assistance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

2 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 01/19/2022

I own a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. On 1/19/22, while driving the car, the brakes started failing. I was able to drive the car to my independent mechanic's shop and they repaired the brake issue with a fabrication and installation of the brake line. As my inspection was due, I made an appt with them to bring it back for inspection before the month was over. When I did bring it back however, another mechanic (who apparently had seen underneath the car when they did the brake work) stated that it would never pass inspection as the corrosion was severe. I then made an appt on 2/9 with the dealer who sold me the vehicle. The dealer however stated that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign 09v124000 (suspension). I believe it should have been included in that recall and that I am entitled to the "remedy" outlined in the NHTSA recall.

3 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 02/19/2021

Every once in awhile when I press the brake it seems to accelerate for a second before braking. I have double checked and I am not pressing the gas on accident. It has happened right after I start driving (so going under 25 mph) on side streets in town. I am unsure of the exact dates this has happened.

4 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 04/29/2014

The car was parked in a residential parking area. It had been backed into the space. After starting the car and putting the transmission in drive, the car accelerated uncontrollably. This occurred so quickly the driver was unable to control the vehicle. Brakes did not stop the vehicle. It appeared that the accelerator was stuck. The vehicle hit a car in the next row of cars. Because of rain, the car then skidded 180 degrees and struck two cars in the same line of cars from which it had departed. Only at this time by turning getting the car out of gear and turning the key could the car be stopped. The driver believes this was the result of either a the accelerator sticking on its own or a thick rubber winter mat slid up and jammed the accelerator.

5 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 03/03/2014

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. There are three separate issues. I want this car looked at how can several cars in different states have the same problem, with the same year car????.

6 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 03/05/2013

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. Final result, serious damage to both the car and the garage. Fortunately this did not occur in traffic or with pedestrians in the area. On-line research has since shown me that there have been numerous other similar incidents where Hyundai Sonatas have suddenly accelerated on their own. . Read more...

7 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 02/22/2013

I was involved in a chain reaction collision on I-10 interstate. My vehicle re-ended another vehicle and neither the driver's nor the passenger's air bags deployed. Front end damaged and insurance has totaled my car. Brakes did not seem to stop with sufficient force.

8 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 11/28/2010

The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. As the contact approached a traffic light, he noticed that the brake pedal extended to the floorboard when depressed; he had to use the emergency brake to stop. The brakes squeaked and made a noise as if pressure had left the brakes. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

9 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 09/04/2005

While driving on September 4, 2005 on 1-95 2004 at 6 mph the Hyundai Sonata was involved in a near miss accident due to the brakes locking. The consumer's was in the middle lane and had decided to overtake the car ahead. The consumer moved to the left lane and noticed that the speed was more than 75 mph. The consumer stepped on the brakes to slow down and the vehicle swerved to the right, made a 360-degree turn, skidded, and mercifully stopped on the grassy shoulder. It was a miracle that no car bumped the consumer's vehicle during this episode. The consumer heard a popping sound and thought that one of the tires had blew out. The consumer got out of the vehicle to inspect the tires and saw skid burns. The consumer went back to the vehicle and tried to drive on the shoulder. The consumer then proceeded to drive on the highway again. On labor day, September 5, 2005 the consumer called the Hyundai dealer in alexandria, virginia where the vehicle was purchased. The consumer talked to the salesman who sold them the vehicle last year. The consumer told him what happened and he suggested that the consumer call a Hyundai service outlet for a service check-up appointment. The consumer called bob bell Hyundai in glen burnie for a service appointment and the recording said they would call him within the hour. This was the second time that the brakes locked. The first time was in July 2005 while driving on ritchie highway near pasadena, maryland at 60 mph the traffic light at the whites road intersection turned red consumer stepped on the brakes a little hard and the vehicle lurched forward and swerved to the right. That was the first time I that the consumer suspected something might be wrong with the brakes.

10 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 07/01/2005

Near accident report due to a possible brake lock up of the 2004 Hyundai Sonata. When the consumer attempted to change lanes,the vehicle swerved to the right, made a 360 degree turn and skidded to a stop on a grassy shoulder.


Other Service Brakes related problems of the 2004 Hyundai Sonata


Safety Ratings of Sonata Cars
Fuel Economy of Sonata Vehicles
Sonata Service Bulletins
Sonata Safety Recalls
Sonata Defect Investigations