Used 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Consumer Reviews
Used Santa Fe for sale
2004 Base Santa Fe
SanDiegoRN, 08/25/2009
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought the base, manual, without a lot of bells and whistles because I wanted a manual, not an automatic. My gas mileage is probably better because of this varying from 24-28 mpg depending on how much city driving I do. On trips hwy mileage can even approach 30 mpg. I had a problem with the check engine light for the first couple of years d/t accelerator sensor position problems, but o/w very reliable. Just had to have the crankshaft sensor (and accelerator sensor) replaced as it caused the vehicle to quit completely, but overall I am very, very happy with it. Scratches do tend to occur in parking lots. Very comfortable and I want to keep this till it stops running completely.
Nice Ride
SWMan, 06/05/2004
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe LX Fwd 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Good value. Smooth ride and much quieter than our Ford Windstar. One problem with putting it in park (started rolling a couple of times). Hyundai rep told me that they can be difficult to put in park.
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Sadly Disapointed
jlb, 07/10/2004
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS AWD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I've had my Sante Fe since April 2002. So far it's been back at Fairfax Hyundai for the following 3 times for transmission problems. I would be on the highway and the damn thing would stop accelerating. The air conditioning keeps going out. It's been in the shop 3 times for that and it's doing it again. Now my speedometer as stopped working and no mileage accumulates. I had it in 2 times for the vibrations underneath the drivers seat. Also, when I bought Hyundai advertised a certain size engine only to find out that a class action law suit was filed because the size engine was advertised incorrectly.
Love the car - but now it's a beater...
leftoverchef, 07/25/2012
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
Well, I've had the car since brand new and have loved it. I haven't been too punctual with the routine maintenance (oil changes, etc.) and the car still has performed well (until recently, but more on that later). I made it to 100k miles on the original clutch - which is a record for me. I didn't even replace the timing belt until 110k miles! The only problem I really have had with it has been a faulty clutch pedal sensor when we bought it - and a crank-shaft position sensor that died just before i replaced the timing belt. That said - recently the Catalytic converter broke and the Exhaust manifold cracked - a $2600 repair - but my son will pay that to buy it from me instead!
My "new" old ride
Melanie Altmeyer, 05/08/2017
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS AWD 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
I love this suv so far. I've had it about 1 month. It looks and rides like a brand new car and one that would cost a lot more. No one believed me when I told them my "new" car was actually 13 years old. It only had 50,000 miles on it, so with Hyundai 100,000 warranties, I'm hoping to have it for a very long time. It has great acceleration and gas mileage. The seats and ride are very comfortable. Only thing I don't like is the wind noise when windows are down and moonroof is open. I'm hoping window vent guards will help.
- Performance
Nine years and 150,000 miles later.....
cshaw22, 09/04/2013
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
12 of 20 people found this review helpful
I bought my Santa Fe new in 2004. After 150,000 miles, it has spent more time broken than any car I have ever owned. Since new we have replaced the crank sensor 6 times, the throw-out bearing grenaded taking the clutch with it, the radiator disintegrated, the cat converter burned out, the power steering pump shaft broke, etc,etc. The tranny has been solid as many times I was able to restart by downshifting and popping the clutch which made the tranny scream but got me to the house. I bought an extended warranty which paid for itself many times over. It rides and drives great but breaks down too often. No longer my daily driver, but still my beater as it hauls a lot of stuff, when it runs.
I can't wait to trade in my Santa Fe
Shane, 08/12/2017
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe LX AWD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
7 of 11 people found this review helpful
I would not recommend buying this vehicle. The car has many leaks such as the power steering fluid and the A/C refrigerant. I constantly am buying more fluid for the car. Every summer I have to recharge the A/C. My headlights are faded and my car is slightly rusted. The seats aren't very supportive. The dealer offers $816 to trade it in. The car does not get very good fuel economy. I hate my Santa Fe
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
My Hyundai Nightmare
Ed K, 10/28/2009
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS Fwd 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I've owned 2 Santa Fe's (2001 & 2004). Both had engine failures and had to have their small blocks replaced at around 60,000 miles. Both failed on the freeway. Both had all their regularly scheduled maintenance performed by the book. These 2 freeway failures placed me in very serious safety conditions. The 2004 failed at night in the middle of the Arizona Desert- I was driving at 70 mph when the engine lost power & made a terrible noise. I end up getting towed over 150 miles to Hyundai Dealer. Small block failed (60,068 miles 68 miles past the warranty). Hyundai initially refused to pay for the repair; but, after a tremendous amount of effort on my part; they finally cover 30%
Nice car, poor tranny
MarcBaltimore, 10/02/2004
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe LX AWD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought this vehicle because I needed versatility on the cheap. It has delivered. The fit and finish is excellent. Interior space is great. I'm a wood worker and it has hauled plywood and long boards well. I only have 4000 miles on it so reliability is still to be determined. My only complaint is the automatic transmission. It is slow, stupid and easily confused. If you put the pedal down hard, it has horrible lag and then when the foot comes up the engine/tranny are still confused. Wish this was better.
Can't Believe It
DC Lee, 02/08/2004
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS Fwd 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
After 8000 miles car broke down in bad weather. Roadside service very good for tow. After 2 trips to dealer and 11 days I finally got the car back. Needed a new engine module. Am fearful of breakdown now. Also had to have cloth seat rep[lace as it tore at the seems. Also do not like breaking feel. Wish i had bought ABS. This car will not get old with me