There are 5 owner-reported steering complaints for the 2004 Hyundai Elantrain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND SUDDENLY WHILE TRYING TO CHANGE LANE THE STEERING FREEZES ON ME, THIS HAPPEN NOW FOR THE SECOND TIME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, SIDESWIPED A TREE, AND CRASHED INTO A SMALL DITCH. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE LIVER. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUFFERED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE LEFT LEG AND SUSTAINED A FRACTURED COLLAR BONE. IN ADDITION, BOTH REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS SUFFERED FROM SEAT BELT BURNS TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE NECK AND UNDERNEATH THE STOMACH AREA. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RUBBER ON THE STEERING WHEEL EXHIBITED VARIOUS HOLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NEED REPLACING. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS 2004 (1) NO EVENTS LED UP TO FAILURES (2) BETWEEN 15000-20000 MILES IGNITION STOPPED WORKING - FIXED BY HYUNDAI AFTER WE SEVERELY NAGGED THEM FOR DAYS - CAR IS LESS THAN 18 MONTHS OLD HAS 32,000 MILES ON IT NOW CLUTCH DISK IS SUPPOSEDLY BURNED OUT- I HAVE NEVER HAD A CLUTCH BURN OUT ON ME OR ANYONE I KNOW MUCH LESS AT A MERE 32,000 MILES WANT TO CHARGE ME 300 TO SEE IF WARRANTY MIGHT COVER IT; HOWEVER IF IT DOESN'T THEY WILL CHARGE ME 800 OR SO TO FIX THIS PROBLEM CAR GRINDS WHEN TURNING- HYUNDAI WILL NOT CHECK IT OUT, SUPPOSEDLY WARRANTY ALSO DOES NOT COVER THIS. STEERING WHEEL IS COMPLETELY FALLING APART VANITY MIRROR COVER FELL OFF YES, ALL THIS HAPPENED WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. I AM NOW COMPLETELY AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. THE GEARS DO NOT CATCH WELL AND ARE GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE REASON I BOUGHT THIS CAR WAS FOR ITS AMAZING WARRANTY. COME TO FIND OUT THE WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER ANYTHING AT ALL. HYUNDAI DID REPLACE MY VANITY MIRROR. NOW IF ONLY THE FREAKING CAR WORKED! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HYUNDAI. *NM
MY NEW ELANTRA HAS CORROSION ON THE WHEEL SPINDLE THREADS AND NUT. THERE IS ALSO CORROSION ON THE WHEEL LUGS AND NUTS. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR EVALUATION,K AND WAS TOLD THAT CORROSION WAS NO PROBLEM. I REQUESTED TO SPEAK WITH THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE AND HAVE SO FAR BEEN IGNORED.*AK
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026