Skip to content
VINDecoder360
Menu

NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2018–2026

Hyundai Kona recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns and 791 owner complaints for the Hyundai Kona, covering model years 2018 to 2026. The 2019 model year drew the most complaints (191), and Engine is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Hyundai Kona VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 9 recall campaigns on file
  • 791 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 9 model years with data (2018–2026)
  • most complaints: 2019 (191 for that model year)
  • top component: Engine (408 complaints)
  • latest recall 26V452000 (reported Jul 14, 2026)
  • 45 complaints reporting a crash (5.7%)
  • 20 complaints reporting a fire (2.5%)
  • 34 complaints reporting an injury (4.3%)
  • 1 complaint reporting a death (0.1%)

Hyundai Kona complaints by model year

9 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2019 model year has the most complaints: 191 of 791, or 24.1%. Next come 2020 (158) and 2021 (116). The fewest are for 2026, with 9 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Hyundai Kona owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2018–2026Column chart of 791 complaints across 9 model years. The highest is 2019 with 191. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2018: 75 complaints7520182019: 191 complaints19120192020: 158 complaints15820202021: 116 complaints11620212022: 98 complaints9820222023: 65 complaints6520232024: 51 complaints5120242025: 28 complaints2820252026: 9 complaints92026
Hyundai Kona complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Hyundai Kona complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
20187591080
201919111440
20201588371
20211162330
2022983010
2023654020
2024515040
2025282040
202691010
All model years7914520341

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Hyundai Kona components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Engine is the component named most often, in 408 complaints (51.6% of all 791), followed by Electrical System (137) and Power Train (98).

Components named most often in Hyundai Kona complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Hyundai Kona complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Engine40851.6%
Electrical System13717.3%
Unknown or Other13717.3%
Power Train9812.4%
Forward Collision Avoidance587.3%
Vehicle Speed Control425.3%
Service Brakes334.2%
Fuel/Propulsion System293.7%
Steering202.5%
Engine and Engine Cooling182.3%
Exterior Lighting182.3%
Lane Departure182.3%
Structure172.1%
Air Bags141.8%
Visibility/Wiper70.9%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Hyundai Kona recalls

9 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Kona, newest first. The 9 campaigns cover model years 2019 to 2026. The 2024 model year appears in the most campaigns (4).

  • 9 recall campaigns
  • 1 “Park Outside” advisory
Hyundai Kona recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2019: 1 campaign
2020: 2 campaigns2021: 1 campaign2022: no campaigns2023: 1 campaign2024: 4 campaigns2025: 1 campaign2026: 3 campaigns
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 26V452000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Buckle Assembly

    Model years 2024–2026

    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.

    Consequence:
    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 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.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

  2. NHTSA campaign 26V069000

    Reported

    Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm

    Model year 2026

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Kona vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front steering knuckles may crack and break, which can result in a loss of vehicle steering control.

    Consequence:
    A loss of vehicle steering control increases the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckles, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 5, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 295. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 7, 2026.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

  3. NHTSA campaign 26V047000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel

    Model year 2026

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."

    Consequence:
    An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 24, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 293. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 28, 2026.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

  4. NHTSA campaign 24V308000

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Gas Recirculation Valve (EGR Valve)

    Model year 2024

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Elantra, Venue, and Kona vehicles. An electrical short circuit may occur in the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve assembly, which can result in a loss of drive power.

    Consequence:
    A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 28, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 260.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

  5. NHTSA campaign 23V901000

    Reported

    Electrical System › 12V/24V/48V Battery › Cables

    Model year 2024

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Kona vehicles. The 12-Volt battery cables may chafe against the engine control module bracket and short circuit during a crash.

    Consequence:
    A short circuit increases the risk of an engine compartment fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will install sheathing over the wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 252.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

  6. NHTSA campaign 23V650000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Retractor

    Model year 2024

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Kona vehicles. The seat belt assemblies in the right and left rear seats may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupation Crash Protection" and 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

    Consequence:
    A seat belt that does not function properly may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 21, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 250.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

  7. NHTSA campaign 23V526000

    Reported

    Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Fluid/Lubricant › Pump

    Model year 2023

    NHTSA “Park Outside” advisory: because of the fire risk, park affected vehicles outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.

    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.

    Consequence:
    An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
    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.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

  8. NHTSA campaign 21V301000

    Reported

    Engine

    Model years 2019–2021

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.

    Consequence:
    A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

  9. NHTSA campaign 20V022000

    Reported

    Equipment › Other › Labels

    Model year 2020

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Kona vehicles. The certification label may indicate incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 567, "Certification" and 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

    Consequence:
    An incorrect GAWR could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install new label stickers displaying the correct GAWR over the affected areas of the certification label, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 187.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Hyundai Kona questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Hyundai Kona have?

NHTSA lists 9 vehicle recall campaigns for the Hyundai Kona, covering model years 2018 to 2026. The most recent, 26V452000, was reported on July 14, 2026 and is filed under “Seat belts”. The 2024 model year is covered by the most campaigns (4).

Which Hyundai Kona model year has the most complaints?

The 2019 model year, with 191 of the 791 complaints in NHTSA’s file (24.1%). The next are 2020 (158) and 2021 (116). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Hyundai Kona complaint?

Engine is the component named most often: 408 complaints, or 51.6% of all 791. Electrical System (137) and Power Train (98) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Hyundai Kona?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Hyundai dealer.

How many Hyundai Kona complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 791 complaints, 45 report a crash, 20 a fire, 34 at least one injury and 1 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Hyundai models

8 models · most complaints first

The Hyundai models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Hyundai VIN decoder with every Hyundai model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Hyundai models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.