NHTSA has received 75 owner complaints about the 2023 Hyundai Kona, or 19.8 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.49, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #47 of 92 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Hyundai models its rate is 63% lower; against other Subcompact SUVs it is 13% lower.
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
Complaints filed between 2022-11-02 and 2026-10-03. Median delay from incident to filing: 13 days.
75Complaints
19.8Complaints per year on the road
0.49Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
2Recalls · ⚠ 1
5.3%Share involving a crash or fire
15Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2022) drew 26.9 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2024) drew 24.0 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2023 model collected 47 complaints, 43% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Electrical (32.0% of complaints), followed by Engine (14.7%) and Unspecified or other (14.7%). Electrical complaints are 2.0 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 4 reports (5.3%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 3 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 14 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (44% of incidents). In the last 12 months 15 new complaints were filed, versus 14 in the 12 months before — up 7%.
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for this model year, 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.49
vs. other Hyundai models0.37
vs. other 2023 models0.47
vs. other Subcompact SUVs0.87
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (47)0.57
Safety system that automatically puts the car in park if a door is opened while in gear failed to apply
Unspecified or other · 2026-01-04 · ODI 11708650
Vehicle was service at a Hyundai Dealer for routine required maintenance to continue the warranty. Less than 24 hours later I was driving my special needs, handicap daughter to breakfast and pulled into a handicap parking space and placed my foot on the brake.
Brakes · 2025-01-15 · ODI 11636006 · Crash
The horn on my 2023 Hyundai Kona has failed for the THIRD time. This is a dangerous situation. The time before this I barely avoided an accident when a pickup truck was accelerating very fast in reverse from a driveway and didn't see me.
Unspecified or other · 2026-10-03 · ODI 11768686
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving 64 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power with reduced acceleration. The check engine warning light illuminated.
Engine · 2026-09-15 · ODI 11764450
I was in a rotary and there were two lanes and they both exited to a bridge. I was on the outside lane of the rotary and when exiting the rotary the car from the inside cut me off and I was unable to alert the driver because me HORN wasn't working.
Electrical · 2026-09-09 · ODI 11763162
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Veloster N, 2019-2023 Genesis G70, 2022-2023 Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The fuel pump may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update engine control module software. In addition, dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pump assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning September 9, 2024. Some interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 3, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 262 and 023G.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:PUMP Campaign 23V526000 · 2023-07-27
⚠ Park-outside / do-not-drive warning
Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat.
Risk: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting September 7, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 246.
