2004 Hyundai Sonata vs 2004 Nissan Maxima
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2004 Hyundai Sonata | 2004 Nissan Maxima |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 202 | 1,425 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 2 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 52 | 114 |
| Investigations | 1 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 22 | 33 |
| Fire reports | 2 | 16 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–23 | 21 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 88,000 mi | 80,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Hyundai Sonata | Nissan Maxima |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 10 | 934 |
| Suspension | 56 | 102 |
| Tires | 3 | 141 |
| Structure | 47 | 56 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | 70 |
| Electrical System | 17 | 56 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 8 | 61 |
| Air Bags | 46 | 13 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Rust / corrosion | 52 | 44 |
| Airbag warning light | 25 | 0 |
| Stalling | 7 | 86 |
| Vibration / shaking | 6 | 69 |
| Shifting problems | 0 | 206 |
| Hesitation / surging | 0 | 72 |
| Clunking / rattling | 0 | 36 |
| Check engine light | 0 | 31 |
2004 Hyundai Sonata
2004 Nissan Maxima
Compare all Hyundai Sonata vs Nissan Maxima years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.