2018 Hyundai Kona problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (23) · Power Train (7) · Visibility/Wiper (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Kona model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
24 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (97)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Back Over Prevention: Warnings 2026-10-15 · 26-GI-004H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (pdw) sensor(s) that may trigger various dtcs and display warning messages on the instrument cluster, resulting in the pdw sensor(s) failing to detect nearby objects or triggering multiple false alarms. this condition may be a res
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Engine 2026-04-18 · 26-EE-003H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. this bulletin provides the procedure to perform an inspection on the starter magnetic switch for potential freezing and, if necessary, replace the starter magnetic switch (solenoid) assembly.
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DL · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn). these inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehi
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DCS · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn), that have been identified in u.s. vehicles following prior
Showing the 6 most recent of 97 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-19 · Engine“car had an engine knock at 110,000 miles and took it to a repair shop and said they are pretty sure it was an engine rod and that the whole engine needed to be replaced still waiting to get it to the dealership to see what they are going to do due to this car being a leased car and it will not run anymore. …”
2026-07-21 · Vehicle Speed Control“i purchased a 2018 hyundai kona, and it has had one major issue after another. it burns an excessive amount of oil, the engine misfires, and now the turbocharger is failing. i’ve already spent approximately $2,300 repairing the air conditioner and engine, and i can’t afford thousands more in repairs.…”
2026-07-13 · Engine · 123,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 hyundai kona. the contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, there was a loud clunking sound coming from the engine bay, followed by grinding gear sounds. the vehicle lost drive power, causing the driver to coast over to the side of the road, where the vehicle eventually stalled. the vehicle was towed to a certi…”
2026-05-29 · Engine · 98,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 hyundai kona. the contact stated that while driving it began to smoke, a noise was hear, put in neutral to coast down a hill and had to pull the parking break to stop the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with defective piston oil rings, and the engine was rebuilt. the manufacturer was no…”
2026-05-06 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 90,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 hyundai koa. the contact stated that while the daughter was driving the vehicle began to sputter and jerk before stalling. during the failure the oil warning light flashed off and on. the vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine had failed due to carbon buildup. the contact was advised that the eng…”
2026-05-01 · Power Train“the vehicle suddenly stalled while driving on the highway at normal speed without warning. the engine lost power completely, creating a dangerous situation and a risk of collision with surrounding traffic. the vehicle had to be towed to a repair shop, where the issue was diagnosed as engine failure. there were no warning lights or prior symptoms b…”
2026-04-14 · Engine“the check engine light came on while driving. vehicle was assessed by mechanic with strange diagnostic code; full oil and filter change done. check engine light still on and engine stalled while driving on freeway. took to dealer and was advised the car requires cvvts (which is essentially a new engine), serpentine belt and spark plugs (approx $…”
2026-04-09 · Vehicle Speed Control“the kona barely wants to accelerate and stalls out while driving. even though i recently got a oil change there’s oil consumption and the oil is black as if i never got a oil change. i took it to a hyundai dealer ship, i told them what was wrong they said it’s the timing belt. when that’s not the issue. i recently took it to a mechanic to get a th…”
2026-04-01 · Engine And Engine Cooling“see attached document for complaint.…”
2026-02-16 · Unknown Or Other“the car was burning through oil every 14 -21days. car has been jerking and taking a while to accelerate. went to machine to see what’s going he suggested i go to the dealership because there’s no leaks visible. but added more oil so i wouldn’t go without oil there was nothing available for me to come in right away and before my appointment my car s…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.