2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003
Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
17 -20 City / 21 -27 HWY
Source FuelEconomy.gov
Horsepower
138 -200
Seats
5
Front angle view.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Antoinette D
It's dependable. It is very much worth the price. It has endurance for the New England states weather changes.
I call it my 'roller skate'. It is reliable. I have only had to do minimal general maintenance. The radio is a lemon.
accountCircle Pam W
It has always been very reliable for any trips that I take.
I really enjoy driving my vehicle. It is very comfortable and I like the fact that I can haul a lot of things in the back end of the vehicle. I have no complaints except for the gas mileage. I do wish it was easier on the gas.
accountCircle Kelley J
I love my Hyundai Santa Fe.
Maintenance is fairly easy, cheap, and affordable. Reliable, a lot of room to store almost anything. . I feel very safe in my SUV. This is my second Hyundai santa fe. It is comfortable. I have fallen asleep in the back of the car many times, and it is just fine.
accountCircle Amy I
That it's pretty reliable and is easy to be worked on if it does need work.
I love the look of my car. I love that it has not had to have very much maintenance done on it since I have had it and I love that It's just the right size.
accountCircle Misty B
Best car ever is my Hyundai santa fe. I just hit 200. 00.
I have only had basic maintenance type issues and that's all. Things like tires, a new radiator and such.
accountCircle Marie B
Satisfied owner of.Santa Fe. Buy one.
The Santa Fe was brought used. In excellent condition and runs smoothly with care that we've given it. Great on gas. We are thinking about buying another use on. I am retired and I just need a simple vehicle which I like the Santa Fe.There's a lot of good deals, if you take care, change the oil routine maintenance will last.
accountCircle Lowell B
It's well built and dependable with great handling and power when you need it.
It handles well. Get great gas mileage. Has great power. I have no complaints
accountCircle Barbara O
It rides well
There is nothing wrong with my SUV except it is old. Other than that

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Nicole B
It has cruise control which I personally find very useful.
I have had this car for a little over a year and it broke down 3 times within 1 month very recently. Two of those 3 times it had to be towed. I recommend saving your money and getting a newer car. A 2004 is too old for a reliable Hyundai. This car always has problems pop up. When one problem gets fixed, something else breaks or needs replaced.
accountCircle Daniel D
Santa Fe does poorly on gas
Like it is roomy enough. Dislike the front suspension and how much gas it uses.
accountCircle Erica P
Nice back window. Few blind spots. Needs better seat adjustments. Paint is a problem.
It's from 2004 so it's old as the hills, and it's sometimes not safe to drive due to it breaking down and making odd sounds.
accountCircle Jess S
Great car but definitely expect put a little bit of money into it.
It is a good car and gets me to and from where I need to go. But it is always breaking down on me and I keep having to put a lot of money into it. Inside and outside of car looks good. It drives well in bad weather as long as you go slow. It is a great car but the same things keep breaking on it.
accountCircle Brandy M
Highly recommend for small families.
I got this vehicle cheep from a co-worker to drive back and forth to work everyday. For the age and it having 216, 000 miles I have had to put minimal money into it. I drive an hour each way to work. I have a teenage girl that always has something going on I can put as little at 30, 000 miles an as many as 65, 000 miles combined on my vehicles every year. This vehicle has cruse and electric windows and locks only thing to watch out for is if you bump the passenger lock on your way in or out an you will lock all the doors. The passenger lock is not a conventional lock it is the lock it is self. Beside the lock issue this vehicle rides good and drives very well. It seems no matter what my children need to haul we can fit it in.
accountCircle Koko P
Do not buy an 04 Hyundai Santa Fe.
Didn't know that the 04 had a lot of computer problems, everything that can gone wrong my vehicle has gone wrong. I would buy another one just not another 04. I have had to replace almost all the sensors, it is costing me more too keep it running just to get back and forth to work.
accountCircle Brittany P
Good size, great for a small family, really good mileage.
Engine backfire and electronic issues like lights going on (check engine, abs) also electronic issues with door locks. Also steering might go out on you after a few years and the whole rack will need replacement. It also needs spark plugs frequently which is usually the reason for engine backfires.
accountCircle Rashay G
I just need a new car as soon as possible.
The color is ugly. Always have muffler issues. Tires always skid in rain and snow. Stocks are no good.

Hyundai Santa Fe Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
Base
138 HP 24-24 MPG 5 Seats
car
GLS
200 HP 19-19 MPG 5 Seats
car
LX
200 HP 19-19 MPG 5 Seats
Photos may not match model

2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Reviews

4.07
135 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 45%
4 stars 26%
3 stars 21%
2 stars 7%
1 star 1%
accountCircle Susan A on June 13, 2021
Great family car lots of for kids.
I like that it's roomy lots of space for a family.. I do not like that I bought it used so has preexisting problems..
accountCircle Crystal B on April 4, 2021
Comfortable and reliable 4 wheel drive vehicle
It's a great 4 wheel drive vehicle. (It is 4 wheel drive all the time thought so it's a little heavy on the gas use but reliable) its roomy without being too large to maneuver the car. It's very comfortable to drive, the seats are kind of similar to captain chairs without the arms. Perfect amount of compartments.
View All Reviews (135) chevronRightAlternative

Ranks #12 Midsize SUV by Owners

The 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe has an average owner rating of 4.10 out of 5 which ranks it #12 of 18 other Midsize SUVs.

1
car
2004 Jeep Wrangler
4.66
2
car
2004 Toyota 4Runner
4.61
12
car
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
4.07

Ranks #1 Midsize SUV by Fuel Economy

The 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe has a combined MPG of 27 which ranks it #1 of 18 other Midsize SUVs.

1
car
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
27 MPG
2
car
2004 Buick Rendezvous
26 MPG
3
Tie
car
2004 Nissan Murano
24 MPG

Is The 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe A Good Car?

Yes. Great first car. I only added a new radio system and a backup camera. The radio was originally a cassette player, which I had no use for. The back up camera was a personal preference. Bass is... Read More
Shannon B.
Yes. Very roomy for shopping trips. Lots of legroom for taller passengers. When going on trips no one feels cramped while traveling far distances.
Meg L.
I love my Hyundai Santa Fe I have 243 thousand miles on it. And I would buy another. it's been very dependable and I love taking it everywhere.
Andy L.
Yes reliable goes really fast drive good in bad weather drives great in the snow drive great also off road
Cindy H.

How Reliable Is The 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe?

I have had my Santa Fe for almost a year know, and I have never had an issue before. The only work I've had done was routine (oil changes, alignment, inspection etc). Never any major problems.
Dylan H.
It hasn't gave us any problems since we purchased it last year. Normal upkeep of oil changes ensures that it will last longer.
Shah M.
My Hyundai Santa Fe is very reliable and dependable no problems so far just basic maintenance. Power steering pump rack and pinion Tires and Brakes that's all we put on it
Rhonda N.
Yes in these earlier models of the car the air conditioner goes out on them and I'm have to say sensor breaks after a while so your check engine light comes on I just get mechanic to turn off
Eric C.

Is The 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe A Good Value?

Book value is $3400. We were able to purchase it for less than book value and we were very pleased with the appearance and price.
Mackenzie G.
I do believe the Hyundai Santa Fe is a good value for the money. And I'm looking forward to getting the newest available model with all the goodies on it
Cole S.
Its old year so some people sell it between 1800 to 2400 used I thought it was a good price with only 85000 miles on it
Tyler L.

Related Articles for 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe

From the Vehicle History blog

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Hyundai Santa Fe Reliability: How Long Will it Last?

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe water pump location?

Answer: The 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe water pump location is behind the timing belt. You will need to remove the drive belt, water pump pulley, timing belt covers, and tensioners to access it. When the water pump fails, it...

What's the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe starter relay location?

Answer: The 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe's starter relay is located in the interior fuse panel of Your vehicle. If You look to the left of Your steering wheel, just above the brake, You'll see a small latch in the console of...

What's the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe purge valve location?

Answer: The 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe's purge valve often malfunctions. To locate the part raise the hood and remove the air intake box next to the intake manifold. The purge valve will be found behind the intake manifold....

What's the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe power steering fluid type?

Answer: The type of power steering fluid that is used in the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe is either PSF-3 or PSF-4 synthetic, however PSF-3 is no longer available anywhere in the US so You might have trouble finding that one....

What's the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe coolant type?

Answer: The 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe uses a ZereX50/50 coolant and antifreeze. It is important that You keep Your car properly protected with the right coolant. In the summer months, the temperatures can cause Your engine...
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Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Not Rated

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Not Rated

Driver-side Overlap Front

Not Rated
*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety