InsightArise CarsU.S. Owner Complaint Index
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2025 Hyundai Kona problems, complaints & recalls

Far fewer Rising

NHTSA has received 29 owner complaints about the 2025 Hyundai Kona, or 17.3 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.41, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2025 vehicles we track, it ranks #34 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Hyundai models its rate is 69% lower; against other Subcompact SUVs it is 30% 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

Limited data: fewer than 30 complaints, so shares and indexes are unstable.

Complaints filed between 2024-12-16 and 2026-07-24. Median delay from incident to filing: 15 days.

29Complaints
17.3Complaints per year on the road
0.41Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
1Recalls
6.9%Share involving a crash or fire
19Last 12 months

Analysis

The previous model year (2024) drew 23.9 complaints per year, more than this one.

The most common problem area is Electrical (31.0% of complaints), followed by Transmission / powertrain (10.3%) and Brakes (10.3%). Electrical complaints are 2.0 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Electrical reports, owners most often mention “headed”, “almost”, “due”, “diagnosed” and “lights”. 2 reports (6.9%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 4 injuries and 0 deaths.

Half of the reported incidents happened within 8 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (72% of incidents). In the last 12 months 19 new complaints were filed, versus 10 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for this model year. 7% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.

Complaint index

  • vs. all tracked vehicles0.41
  • vs. other Hyundai models0.31
  • vs. other 2025 models0.36
  • vs. other Subcompact SUVs0.7
  • #34 of 85 · 2025Rankings ›

1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road.

Other model years

  • 20188.5 per year0.2
  • 201931.4 per year0.75
  • 202027.6 per year0.66
  • 202124.9 per year0.59
  • 202226.3 per year0.62
  • 202319.6 per year0.47
  • 202423.9 per year0.57
  • 202517.3 per year0.41

Hyundai Kona problems, complaints & recalls by model year ›

What owners complain about

  • Electrical9 · 31.0% · 1.97×
  • Transmission / powertrain3 · 10.3% · 0.89×
  • Brakes3 · 10.3% · 1.7×
  • Driver-assist systems3 · 10.3% · 1.8×
  • Body & structure3 · 10.3% · 1.12×
  • Engine2 · 6.9% · 0.31×
  • Airbags & seat belts2 · 6.9% · 1.81×
  • Interior & equipment2 · 6.9% · 0.77×

vs. all vehicles: 1.00 = All-vehicle average

Electrical · Common terms in reports

  • headed3
  • almost3
  • due3
  • diagnosed3
  • lights3
  • warning4

Problem areas: Engine · Electrical · Interior & equipment · Transmission / powertrain

When complaints were filed

2024: 1 1 2024 2025: 14 14 2025 2026: 14 14 2026
  • Crashes reported: 2
  • Fires reported: 0
  • Injuries: 4
  • Deaths: 0

Vehicle age at incident

  • <1 yr72.4%
  • 1–2 yrs27.6%
  • 2–3 yrs0.0%
  • 3–5 yrs0.0%
  • 5+ yrs0.0%

Median age at incident: 8 months

What owners report

Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.

Segment peers · 2025 · Subcompact SUVs

ModelsComplaintsComplaints per year on the roadComplaint index
2025 Kia Seltos127.20.17
2025 Toyota Corolla Cross1911.40.27
2025 Mazda CX-302514.90.35
2025 Hyundai Kona2917.30.41
2025 Honda HR-V4225.10.6
2025 Subaru Crosstrek4325.70.61

Safety recalls (1)

SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Campaign 26V452000 · 2026-07-14

Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Kona Electric and 2024-2026 Kona vehicles. The seat belt buckle in the rear center seat may fail to properly restrain an occupant during a crash.

Risk: A seat belt buckle that fails to properly restrain an occupant in a crash increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Passengers are advised not to use the rear center seat until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 11, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 306. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 15, 2026.

How to check whether your car has an open recall ›

Investigations

No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.

Frequently asked questions

How many complaints were filed for the 2025 Hyundai Kona?

29 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2025 Hyundai Kona, or about 17.3 per year on the road.

What is the most common problem reported for the 2025 Hyundai Kona?

The most common category is Electrical, accounting for 31.0% of complaints.

Does the 2025 Hyundai Kona have any recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall(s) for this model year.

Is the 2025 Hyundai Kona still generating complaints?

In the last 12 months 19 new complaints were filed, versus 10 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.

How does the 2025 Hyundai Kona compare with similar vehicles?

NHTSA has received 29 owner complaints about the 2025 Hyundai Kona, or 17.3 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.41, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2025 vehicles we track, it ranks #34 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Hyundai models its rate is 69% lower; against other Subcompact SUVs it is 30% lower.