HyundaiSanta Fe2004Overview/hyundai/santa-fe/2004/base/

2004 Hyundai Santa Fe

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

Body SUV

The 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe is an SUV from the early years of the model’s 2001–2026 complaint record, requiring 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 or 5W-30 API oil for routine service. Its reliability file shows 303 owner complaints, a leading concentration in the suspension, and three recalls—numbers that place it as a comparatively moderate early entry against the later 2017 peak of 941 complaints and the 2026 low of 28. For a researcher, that means the 2004 Santa Fe is not the most troubled year in the model’s history, but the suspension complaint pattern and recall count are still the first items to verify.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192004

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnS/MOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length177.2 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb weight3752 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

9.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.70 sec — 2004 LX 3.5L V6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2004LX 3.5L V69.70 sec17.02 sec200 hpAWD
2003GLS 3.5L V69.50 sec16.90 sec200 hpAWD
2001LX 2.7L V610.30 sec17.60 sec173 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 26.0-32.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidHyundai SP-III
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.2
Automatic Transmission FluidHyundai SP-III
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.9
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.3 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs14-15 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts94-101 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug26.0-32.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0-33.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug26.0-32.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs15-20 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0-43.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.67-.81 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance11,300-15,300 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0-21.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.27-1.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.74 oz
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number124R

Service checks

Pressure Test21 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)38.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)47.0-50.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression171 minimum PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Compression149-170. 14 maximum variation PSI.

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-74 ft-lbs / 37-44 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0002 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0016 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.024 in / 0.39 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.024 in / 0.39 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
118 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
260 ft. lbs.60 ft. lbs
345
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 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 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 25,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
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 50,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 52,500 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect) · PCV Hose (inspect) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)
Every 75,000 miDrive Belt (replace)

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 Santa Fe recorded 303 complaints, 3 recalls, 0 investigations and 75 technical service bulletins, which is slightly fewer complaints than the 2003 peak of 308 but more than the 2005 total of 5 complaints seen in 2005. Recall activity dropped from the four recalls seen in 2001‑2003 to three in 2004 and 2005, then fell further in later model years. Investigations, which were present in the first three model years, disappeared after 2003, with 2004 showing zero. This places the 2004 model at the beginning of a downward trend in both complaint and recall frequency across the first‑generation Santa Fe. Consequently, the 2004 year offers a modest improvement over the troubled 2003 model while still exhibiting higher complaint levels than the later 2005‑2006 models, suggesting it can be a reasonable purchase if the vehicle’s condition and price reflect its mid‑generation reliability.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
75
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
303
Owner complaints
32 involved a crash · 7 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 303 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension50
Air Bags32
Vehicle Speed Control27
Fuel/Propulsion System19
Service Brakes, Hydraulic18
Engine & Engine Cooling16
Power Train15
Fuel System, Gasoline10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V435000Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil SpringsReported 18/07/2014

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model Year 2001-2006 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2000, through February 15, 2006, that are registered and operated, or which were originally sold… Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the coil spring, free of charge. The recall began on October 24, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai…

03V520000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 18/12/2003

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECT LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 75 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 Santa Fe. 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.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 Santa Fe take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 OR 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 Santa Fe have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.