2025 Hyundai Kona problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (3) · Electrical System (3) · Structure:body (2)
🧭 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)
Seat Belts: Rear/Other:buckle Assembly 2026-07-14 · campaign 26V452000 · 47,787 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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 were mailed September 2, 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.
Service bulletins (28)
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
Engine 2026-07-01 · 26-FL-003H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some kona (sx2) vehicles equipped with the 1.6l t‑gdi engine may exhibit false “engine left idling” notifications in the myhyundai app, even when the engine is not running, due to a logic error associated with the front oxygen (o₂) sensor. this condition may also illuminate the malfunction indicator
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 28 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-07-24 · Vehicle Speed Control“the dash will completely go black except for red words *no signal.* and all warnings are no longer visible, i cannot tell what speed i’m going, or what percentage battery my car is at. i don’t see visible lane or collision warnings. it is very unsafe and i have been to the dealership twice to try and fix it. the issue returned both times.…”
2026-07-19 · Suspension“i purchased a used hyndai kona with 26,000 miles april 30 2026. i was told i have the balance of the manufacturer warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles. i have not driven my car for 73 days because of extreme safety problems the hyundai kona. the car is very difficult to steer. the car pulls significantly to the right. one day after i purchased th…”
2026-06-21 · Power Train“power train the engine roars up and drops jarring you back and forth second car within a yr first blew up brand new both and hyundia and dealership blew me off…”
2026-06-11 · Unknown Or Other“component or system: the brake system, specifically what appears to be a false abs activation or ieb (integrated electronic brake) system malfunction. the component is available for inspection upon request. safety risk: while braking at speeds between 25-40 mph, typically on dry pavement and more frequently on downhill grades, the brake pedal exhib…”
2026-05-29 · Air Bags · 5,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owned a 2025 hyundai kona. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed through an intersection, the vehicle collided with another vehicle that was towing a trailer. the contact stated that during the crash, the driver's air bag, located in the steering wheel, deployed; however, the air bag became inoperable and deflate…”
2026-05-24 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings“my forward collision warning activates without cause. my automatic braking systems will engage. …”
2026-05-06 · Electrical System“the vehicle experienced a total electrical failure while driving. dealer diagnosed the issue as a loose fuse box connector/power distribution connector. the vehicle and repaired component should be available for inspection through the hyundai dealer service department. the vehicle suddenly lost all power while being driven on a public roadway. the …”
2026-04-27 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly · 5,798 mi“the contact owns a 2025 hyundai kona. the contact stated that while driving, she observed a loud explosion emanating from the roof of the vehicle. the contact slammed on her brakes and then steered the vehicle to the side of the road, where she observed crackling glass noises also emanating from the sunroof. the contact then exited the vehicle to i…”
2026-02-27 · Structure:body“i have a 2025 hyundai kona limited. on [xxx], around the afternoon on sunnyvale, california, while exiting [xxx] headed to lake tahoe, the liftgate bolt that attaches to the body had buckled mechanically as the system did not back away when a flashlight that came out of a travel bag was blocking the way to have it closed. the car computer thinks th…”
2026-02-27 · Structure:body“a week after i got my 2025 hyundai kona limited, while trying to have the moonroof when headed into the highway since it gets too noisy if left open, the glass will touch the guard and then back away and remain fully open. however, the issue becomes more serious when it starts to rain or snow as it will remain open. in three occasions, the moonroof…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.