NHTSA has received 72 owner complaints about the 2023 Hyundai Kona, or 19.6 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.47, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #46 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Hyundai models its rate is 65% lower; against other Subcompact SUVs it is 20% 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 2026-08-11. Median delay from incident to filing: 13 days.
72Complaints
19.6Complaints per year on the road
0.47Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
2Recalls · ⚠ 1
5.6%Share involving a crash or fire
14Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2022) drew 26.3 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2024) drew 23.9 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 (31.9% of complaints), followed by Engine (13.9%) and Interior & equipment (13.9%). Electrical complaints are 2.0 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Electrical reports, owners most often mention “horn”, “working”, “motor america”, “radio” and “august”. 4 reports (5.6%) 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 (46% of incidents). In the last 12 months 14 new complaints were filed, versus 12 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for this model year, 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 14% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.47
vs. other Hyundai models0.35
vs. other 2023 models0.47
vs. other Subcompact SUVs0.8
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
Interior & equipment · 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
Dear Hyundai Motor America Consumer Affairs, My name is [XXX], and I am submitting this correspondence as a formal safety and customer-service complaint concerning my 2023 Hyundai Kona SEL, the recurring failure of its horn, and the treatment I received at…
Electrical · 2026-08-11 · ODI 11756321
I was driving to work on a normal day under normal circumstances when a check engine light won my dashboard. Seconds later my car started showing car is over heating.
Engine · 2026-07-30 · ODI 11753667
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle hesitated before driving forward. The Engine START/STOP feature was engaged.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-04-01 · ODI 11728608
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.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2023 Hyundai Kona?
72 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2023 Hyundai Kona, or about 19.6 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2023 Hyundai Kona?
The most common category is Electrical, accounting for 31.9% of complaints.
Does the 2023 Hyundai Kona have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2023 Hyundai Kona still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 14 new complaints were filed, versus 12 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
How does the 2023 Hyundai Kona compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 72 owner complaints about the 2023 Hyundai Kona, or 19.6 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.47, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #46 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Hyundai models its rate is 65% lower; against other Subcompact SUVs it is 20% lower.