2004 Hyundai Sonata 4 cylinder gas

Summary:

Don't walk away from it, RUN

Faults:

Air bag light was on when purchased, and it remained on; seems to be an issue with this model.

Air conditioning ceased working 3 years and 9 months after I purchased the car. I don't know if it's an issue that can easily be resolved, because I can't see if the compressor is running and I can't add refrigerant unless I can determine if the compressor is running. I was going to have that determined when I had the tires rotated, but that's not going to happen now.

Yesterday the car died peacefully passing to the trash heap and I won't be buying another Hyundai ever; I got away cheap. The timing belt is the issue; some genius designer decided to make this a serpentine belt instead of a chain, and additionally they made it a non-interference design, so translated that means the belt can break, but the engine can keep running so that it destroys itself, valves & all sorts of expensive parts need to be replaced. Can you say built in obsolescence? I can!!

I didn't pay a lot for it and I didn't put any major money into it so I got away cheap. I paid $3789 for it 4 years ago and I know that the transmission is on its way out. I have been told that it will cost over $3k for just this repair, so I am donating this pile of metal and hope the charity can make some money from it. I am not walking away, I'm running. Don't buy this car and don't buy any year or model from them unless they have changed a lot of things. Check out other sites; it's scary.

General Comments:

Said it all above. They should be recalling based on the air bag situation alone, never mind the timing belt. Things are just not easy to do on this car. An example would be changing a headlight bulb; simple right? Not on this car. Same with the tail lights; nothing is easy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th March, 2016

13th Mar 2016, 16:18

Not every 75000 miles, but the timing belt should be changed every 60000 miles.

13th Mar 2016, 20:26

FYI, IF an engine is of "non-interference" design, this means it will NOT self destruct if the timing belt snaps.

For example on my dad's old Volvo 240, which is also of non-interference design, when he neglected to replace the belt, the belt simply snapped and the car died on the side of the road. A tow and replacement of the belt was all that was needed to get it running again.

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2004 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.7 V6

Summary:

This is a great, reliable car

Faults:

I have not had any problems with the car at all. The only thing I have had to replace were the front brake pads at 21000 miles. I did that myself and it was a pretty simple job. Even the light bulbs are original.

General Comments:

The performance is fine for what the car is, a modest mid-size sedan.

The seats could use a bit more padding, and I could use a bit more legroom, but long drives are not a problem.

The car came with all the options I would want. The only extra option was the moonroof.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th October, 2008

2004 Hyundai Sonata 2.5 liter V6

Summary:

Strong, reliable, and inexpensive

Faults:

Water leaked into the trunk because the seals were faulty.

Relay switch failed on electric windows.

Windshield rubber seal is separating.

Headlight bulbs burned out.

General Comments:

A very good and reliable car. Cost me $16,800 in 2004 with all options except sunroof, traction control, anti-lock (why is this an option?), and leather.

More power than is really necessary.

Disappointing fuel mileage (especially with teenage daughter driving); around 18MPG city, 26MPG highway.

Bad seals around trunk allowed water to accumulate in spare tire wheel well; eventually I just decided to leave the drain plug out (thanks Hyundai for anticipating this problem!).

Now the windshield lower rubber seal is separating.

Throttle difficult to modulate from stationary position.

Rear suspension has difficulty on washboard bumps. BUT, comfortable, very quiet at speed, fast, and stable.

The strong warranty gives peace of mind (but doesn't make US dealers any more honest).

I would definitely buy another; I wonder if Hyundai is contemplating stuffing a diesel into this model?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st May, 2008

7th Dec 2011, 19:32

I did have the same problem with water leaking into the trunk. I looked and noticed that the tail lights do not have a good seal. So the water runs around the trough, and down and inside the lights. I removed and cleaned the light fixture, and put a layer of clear silicone all around where the fixture touches the metal. I have never had another problem with water since. Except that now the other side needs doing too. (:-)