69 of the 966 complaints about the Hyundai Kona (7.1%) concern Transmission / powertrain, making it the model's #4 problem area. That share is 0.6× the Transmission / powertrain share across all tracked vehicles.
69Complaints · Transmission / powertrain
7.1%Share of complaints
0.61×vs. all vehicles
9Last 12 months
2.9%Share involving a crash or fire
2Related recalls
Analysis
9 Transmission / powertrain complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 16 in the 12 months before — down 44%.
2 of these reports (2.9%) describe a crash or fire, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
2 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 23V526000 (2023-07-27, model year 2023).
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving at 10 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff without any warning, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle drove into a parking lot.
Transmission / powertrain · 2023-05-03 · ODI 11520279 · Crash
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving the vehicle stalled. The gear shifter was stuck in reverse and drive. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the contact the vehicle was working as designed.
Transmission / powertrain · 2022-01-24 · ODI 11448690 · Fire
I purchased this 2022 Hyundai Kona used in May 2025 with approximately 55,000 miles. Within about one to two months of purchase, in June 2025, the transmission began to malfunction.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-10-01 · ODI 11768313
Transmission (7 speed DCT) partial failure causing intermittent lack of acceleration, bucking, violent shifts. No warning lights are displayed.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-09-11 · ODI 11763673
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. No warning lights illuminated. A dealer was contacted.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-08-05 · ODI 11755087
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that during a regular maintenance visit, the contact was informed that there was a leak coming from the front axle transfer case, which was initially unrepaired.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-04-10 · ODI 11730363
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:PUMP Campaign 23V526000 · 2023-07-27 · Model years: 2023
⚠ 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.
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Campaign 22V746000 · 2022-10-06 · Model years: 2022
Summary: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 236.
