2026 HYUNDAI KONA
3 recalls, 12 complaints - 4/5 safety rating
26V452000 Jul 14, 2026
SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Defect Description
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Kona Electric and 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 are expected to be mailed September 11, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyu... Read more
26V069000 Feb 5, 2026
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
Defect Description
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 ... Read more
26V047000 Jan 26, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Defect Description
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... Read more
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... Read more
Complaint Statistics
12 total complaints
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL | 1 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING | 1 |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
SEAT BELTS
Aug 20, 2026
Incident date: Jul 28, 2026
I purchased this vehicle new on July 28, 2026. NHTSA Recall 26V-452 / Hyundai Recall 306 was dated July 13, 2026, and the VIN showed the recall as incomplete when I discovered it. The dealer states that it was unaware of the recall at the time of sale. I am reporting this to document that a new vehi... Read more
STEERING
Aug 11, 2026
Incident date: Jul 1, 2026
Subject of Complaint: Sudden, simultaneous failure of critical safety and driver assist systems originating from an electronic sensor/control module failure inside the electronic power steering (EPS) gearbox. Description of Safety Hazard and Dashboard Indicators: While operating the vehicle, the Dr... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Aug 9, 2026
Incident date: Jul 14, 2026
I took my 2003 Saturn ion to my local Chevrolet dealership in Lincoln Illinois and they refused to complete the recall issues (2) both are to do with the ignition and keys.thwy told me it was not fixable it needed a whole steering column that would cost me they said around $800.so it has now been 2 ... Read more
ENGINE
May 10, 2026
Incident date: Apr 27, 2026
The vacuum break booster went out. My check engine light came on and it said power reduced I’m not sure exactly. Because my power didn’t reduce but my car seems to be misfiring. Luckily I was going to be turning at a light and there was a few cars in front of me so I wasn’t going fast. As I go... Read more
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Apr 27, 2026
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact stated that on several occasions, while in reverse (R), the image was flipped upside down or the screen was blank. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. T... Read more
SUSPENSION
Apr 27, 2026
Incident date: Apr 20, 2026
Summary: I am reporting two significant defects on my 2025 Nissan Sentra that pose safety risks. 1. Suspension/Steering: During low-speed maneuvers (approx. 20mph) such as navigating roundabouts, there is a persistent mechanical creaking/squealing noise from the front passenger side. The dealership... Read more
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Mar 11, 2026
Incident date: Mar 10, 2026
Without any warning or incident, The multipurpose camera has failed and several systems are no longer available. DTC U3000-49 This includes, cruise control not working as well as auto high beams and autobraking
ENGINE
Feb 17, 2026
Incident date: Dec 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 - 15 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. There was an abnormal vibrating sound coming from the engine. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where ... Read more
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Jan 23, 2026
Incident date: Jan 14, 2026
While driving on a limited-access highway at 65 mph with cruise control engaged, the vehicle unexpectedly reduced speed to 50 mph without any driver input under steady traffic and road conditions. No braking was applied by the driver, and no warnings or alerts were displayed prior to or during the s... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Oct 2, 2025
Incident date: Oct 2, 2025
I have a bad ABS Module. Due to this, I dont not have ABS, traction control, or cruise control. I have been trying to get one for years, since roughly 2021... Again, I do not have ABS or tractions control, which are federally mandated to have. I have been told that the chips on this module is bad an... Read more
POWER TRAIN
Oct 2, 2025
Incident date: Oct 2, 2025
Transmission shuddering 55,000 miles and 3 months beyond warranty. Quoted a $221 diagnostic fee to “maybe tell me it needs a software update.” Dealer also said when transmission was serviced at 30k it should have been drained and filled 3 times not once as the book calls for. They are doing thei... Read more
POWER TRAIN
Oct 2, 2025
Incident date: Oct 2, 2025
Harsh jerking when downshifting when driving in AWD, it happens when I release the the gas pedal. It happened when I was going 10, 30 40, 50 mph.
NHTSA Safety Ratings, 2026 HYUNDAI KONA
2026 HYUNDAI KONA SUV N/A AWD
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4 / 5 ★★★★☆ |
| Frontal Crash | 4 / 5 ★★★★☆ |
| Frontal Crash, Driver | 4 / 5 ★★★★☆ |
| Frontal Crash, Passenger | 4 / 5 ★★★★☆ |
| Side Crash | 5 / 5 ★★★★★ |
| Side Crash, Driver | 5 / 5 ★★★★★ |
| Side Crash, Passenger | 5 / 5 ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★★★★☆ |
| Rollover Risk | 15.9% |
Safety Technology
| Feature | Status |
|---|---|
| Electronic Stability Control | Standard |
| Forward Collision Warning | No |
| Lane Departure Warning | No |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings Program. Ratings are based on crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
HYUNDAI KONA - All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the HYUNDAI KONA across all model years (2019, 2026).
11
Total Recalls
1,106
Total Complaints
0
Investigations
60
Reported Crashes
19
Reported Fires
1
Reported Deaths