HyundaiElantra2004Overview/hyundai/elantra/2004/base/

2004 Hyundai Elantra

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Elantra.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2004 Hyundai Elantra presents as a passenger car equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission and EPA-rated fuel economy of 21/29/24 mpg city/highway/combined. Owner-reported data shows 182 total complaints for this model year, with air bags emerging as the leading complaint category and five recalls issued. Within the Elantra's broader complaint history spanning 1992 through 2026, the 2004 model sits well below the 2013 peak of 1,325 complaints and above the 2025 low of 21, positioning it in the lower-middle range of the nameplate's reported issue volume.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/29/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195-60R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length178 in
Overall width68.1 in
Overall height56.3 in
Wheelbase102 in
Curb weight2683 lb
Track (front / rear)57.5 / 57.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 29 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume95 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Elantra of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.0–8.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.00 sec — 2002 GT 5-door Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2002GT 5-door Hatchback 2.0L I-48.00 sec16.30 sec135 hpFWD
2002GLS Sedan 2.0L I-48.50 sec16.70 sec138 hpFWD
2001GLS Sedan 2.0L I-48.40 sec16.50 sec140 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs10-11 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings37-39 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts90-96 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0-33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159-192 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub170 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.52-.64 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance7480-10,120 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0-21.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.44-1.55 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.73-5.40 oz

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177 °F
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket16-24 ft-lbs / 51-62 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle67-82 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1125-133 ft. lbs., step 2: 170-180125–133 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120-24 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60-6520–24 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 52,500 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · PCV Hose (inspect) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Timing Belt (replace)
At 105,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2004 Hyundai Elantra sits within a period of declining federal complaints, following a peak of 349 complaints in 2002. For the 2004 model year, there were 182 complaints, 5 recalls, 1 investigation, and 56 TSBs, representing a decrease from the 234 complaints and 2 investigations seen in 2003. This downward trend continued into 2005, which saw complaints drop further to 137. The most frequent complaint area for 2004 was Air Bags with 107 reports, followed by Engine & Engine Cooling with 11, though the data does not specify the root causes for these issues. The 2004 model also recorded 24 crash complaints and 2 fire complaints. Given its position on a downward trend of complaints and TSBs relative to the early 2000s, this is a good year to buy.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
56
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
182
Owner complaints
24 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 182 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags107
Engine & Engine Cooling11
Seat Belts8
Child Seat4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
Vehicle Speed Control4
Power Train4
Electrical System3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

04V370000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 30/07/2004

DURING AN INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY (IIHS) OFFSET FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACT TEST, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT FUEL TAN DAMAGE COULD OCCUR. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP THAT IS LOCATED NEAR… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EARS AND CORRECTLY POSITION THE CLAMP, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT…

05V479000Air BagsReported 17/10/2005

CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) INSTALLED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE MAY MISCLASSIFY A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT (CRS) AS AN ADULT. THIS MAY… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S OCS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO REMOVE THE FEATURE THAT MAY CAUSE THE CRS TO BE RECOGNIZED AS AN ADULT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 56 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…
25-BD-012H TSB2025-11-05Exterior LightingThis bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated…
24-BD-001H2024-02-14VisibilityThis bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade…
23-EM-005H2023-10-13Engine And Engine CoolingThis bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Elantra. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2004 Elantra have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Elantra get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined mpg.