Hyundai Kona problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 8 model years (2018–2025), NHTSA has logged 928 owner complaints and 12 safety recalls for the Hyundai Kona. That averages 22.4 complaints per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical (index 0.53 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Subcompact SUVs segment it ranks #4 of 6 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 24.6.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
The trend is worsening. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 235% above the 2018 and 2019 models (47 early complaints per model year versus 15).
The 2019 model year has the highest rate (31.4 complaints per year) and the 2018 model year the lowest (8.5). The 2018 model year sits well below the model's average.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (46.4% of complaints), followed by Electrical (19.9%) and Interior & equipment (8.9%). Engine complaints are 2.1 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Recurring terms in owner reports: “oil”, “engine”, “piston”, “horn” and “stalled”. 65 complaints (7.0%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 47 injuries and 1 death.
In the last 12 months owners filed 197 complaints versus 179 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. The 2019 model year generated the most recent reports (44). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 29 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 12 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2020 (3), 3 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 2 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model; the latest is “Pedestrian alert sounds” (opened 2023-01-27, closed 2023-08-07).
Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Mazda CX-30, Subaru Crosstrek and Toyota Corolla Cross; Kia Seltos and Honda HR-V have more.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Fewest complaints | 74 | 8.5 | 0.2 | 13 | 0.15 | 16 | 0 | Engine | View › |
| 2019 | 241 | 31.4 | 0.75 | 18 | 0.22 | 44 | 4 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2020 | 184 | 27.6 | 0.66 | 91 | 1.6 | 35 | 5 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2021 | 141 | 24.9 | 0.59 | 51 | 0.83 | 30 | 1 | Engine | View › |
| 2022 | 123 | 26.3 | 0.62 | 63 | 0.85 | 19 | 2 | Engine | View › |
| 2023 | 72 | 19.6 | 0.47 | 47 | 0.57 | 14 | 2 ⚠ | Electrical | View › |
| 2024 | 64 | 23.9 | 0.57 | 47 | 0.67 | 20 | 4 | Electrical | View › |
| 2025 | 29 | 17.3 | 0.41 | — | — | 19 | 1 | Electrical | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 197 · Previous 12 months: 179 Steady
Problem areas
Electrical ›
185 · 19.9% · 1.27 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- horn32
- battery59
- electrical47
- system recall21
Interior & equipment ›
83 · 8.9% · 1.0 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- horn working11
- refill inverter4
- inverter coolant4
- bcw3
Transmission / powertrain ›
66 · 7.1% · 0.61 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- transmission29
- dct6
- accelerate13
- gear12
Driver-assist systems
37 · 4.0% · 0.7 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- collision warning10
- forward collision7
- emergency braking7
- speed14
Brakes
29 · 3.1% · 0.52 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- brake19
- check regenerative3
- emergency9
- braking10
Body & structure
22 · 2.4% · 0.26 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- inside7
- side front3
- paint3
- sunroof4
Airbags & seat belts
15 · 1.6% · 0.42 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- deploy8
- air8
- bags6
- injuries4
Other
14 · 1.5% · 0.83 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- injuries4
- speed7
- control6
- cruise4
Wheels, tires & suspension
13 · 1.4% · 0.56 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- tire9
- tread5
- pirelli3
- installed5
Fuel system
13 · 1.4% · 0.33 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- fuel8
- august3
- accelerating3
- acceleration3
Steering
13 · 1.4% · 0.22 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- right8
- wheel8
- steering9
- left6
Lighting
7 · 0.8% · 0.48 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- oil188
- engine371
- piston45
- horn52
- stalled87
- rings31
- knocking47
- consumption44
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 29 months
What owners report
The contact leased a 2024 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel independently turned from the left to the right, and the contact lost control of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated.
I purchased a used Hyndai Kona with 26,000 miles April 30 2026. I was told I have the balance of the manufacturer warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles. I have not driven my car for 73 days because of extreme safety problems the Hyundai Kona.
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine); however, the recall repair failed to prevent the failure from occurring.
Leaking oil...burns exceptionally fast even with dealership services. Pistons not sealed, melts new spark plugs, misfire on cylinder 3
Consider taking a coffee break distracts driver. This issue warrants immediate consideration for a recall. Anytime I drive, this warning keeps going off shortly after going on a windy or pothole filled road (all of PA).
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Subcompact SUVs
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mazda CX-30 | 243 | 10.3 | 0.25 | Improving | Rising | 7 | Engine |
| 2 | Subaru Crosstrek | 881 | 21.7 | 0.52 | Improving | Rising | 13 | Body & structure |
| 3 | Toyota Corolla Cross | 288 | 21.7 | 0.52 | Worsening | Steady | 7 | Engine |
| 4 | Hyundai Kona | 928 | 22.4 | 0.53 | Worsening | Steady | 12 | Engine |
| 5 | Kia Seltos | 534 | 22.9 | 0.54 | Improving | Steady | 4 | Engine |
| 6 | Honda HR-V | 1,452 | 42.7 | 1.01 | Worsening | Steady | 12 | Body & structure |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 12
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 3
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2018 (0) · 2019 (4) · 2020 (5) · 2021 (1) · 2022 (2) · 2023 (2) · 2024 (4) · 2025 (1)
Investigations
- Pedestrian alert sounds Closed
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele…
- Loss of Motive Power Closed
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints i…
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Kona model year has the most complaints?
The 2019 model year has the highest rate (31.4 complaints per year) and the 2018 model year the lowest (8.5).
Is the Hyundai Kona getting better or worse?
The trend is worsening. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 235% above the 2018 and 2019 models (47 early complaints per model year versus 15). In the last 12 months owners filed 197 complaints versus 179 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace.
What are the most common Hyundai Kona problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (46.4% of complaints), followed by Electrical (19.9%) and Interior & equipment (8.9%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “oil”, “engine”, “piston”, “horn” and “stalled”.
How does the Hyundai Kona compare with other Subcompact SUVs?
Within the Subcompact SUVs segment it ranks #4 of 6 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 24.6. Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Mazda CX-30, Subaru Crosstrek and Toyota Corolla Cross; Kia Seltos and Honda HR-V have more.
Does the Hyundai Kona have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 12 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2020 (3), 3 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 2 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model; the latest is “Pedestrian alert sounds” (opened 2023-01-27, closed 2023-08-07).