2023 Hyundai Kona problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (9) · Vehicle Speed Control (7) · Electrical System (7)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Kona model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:fluid/Lubricant:pump 2023-07-27 · campaign 23V526000 · 52,109 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (39)
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.
Electrical System 2026-10-27 · 26-GI-003H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in the 2026 2nd navigation map and software update. the changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system. refer to the 2026 2nd navigation map and software update key improv
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
Electrical System 2026-05-27 · 26-GI-002H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in the 2026 1st navigation map and software update. the changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system. refer to the 2026 1st navigation map and software update key improv
Unknown Or Other 2026-05-16 · Z07 OL · Warranty Program/Extension
certain 2021-2023 model year kona, 2021-2023 model year kona electric, and 2022-2023 model year kona n vehicles may experience an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize. at hyundai, we are committed to providing vehicles of outstanding quality and
Showing the 6 most recent of 39 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-03 · Unknown Or Other“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. luckily no one was in the oncoming traffic lane and i was able to accelerate into that lane and avoid an accid…”
2026-09-15 · Engine · 56,144 mi“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. the vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the valve and boost solenoid needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired; however…”
2026-09-09 · Unknown Or Other“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. i blew out 2 tires hitting a curb and needed to be towed.state police arrived on the other side of th…”
2026-08-11 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings“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 capitol hyundai in san jose, california. i am requesting that hyundai motor america immediate…”
2026-07-30 · Engine“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. i immediately swayed from the speed lane to the side of the road almost getting into a crash as other vehicles were at full speeds behind me. i immediately called dealership and ma…”
2026-04-01 · Power Train · 94,000 mi“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. the contact stated that the esc warning light was illuminated temporarily. the contact stated that the failure was intermitt…”
2026-03-28 · Unknown Or Other“my horn is not working again. it was replaced when i initially got the kona in 2023. it did not work coming out of the dealership. and now again it is back to not working. this is a liability and also a danger to my children. …”
2026-03-24 · Electrical System:horn · 106,000 mi“the contact owns a 2023 hyundai kona. the contact stated that the horn was working intermittently. the horn occasionally operated but had become permanently inoperable. the dealer was notified of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was approximately 106,000.…”
2026-02-28 · Unknown Or Other“liftgate was clicking leaving interior lights on drained battery- had to buy new battery! now liftgate wil not open at all.…”
2026-02-10 · Unknown Or Other“dear hyundai motor america consumer affairs, i am formally escalating a safety defect involving my 2023 hyundai kona, vin [xxx] , purchased [xxx]. since the purchase, the vehicle’s horn has repeatedly failed. i have brought the car in for service multiple times, and the issue is thoroughly documented in service records and email correspondence. d…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.