2023 Hyundai Kona Driver assistance Problems

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 immediately open a corporate case, investigate the dealership’s handling of this matter, preserve all relevant records, and provide me with a written resolution. This complaint involves an unresolved vehicle safety concern. My vehicle’s horn has failed repeatedly. I previously presented the vehicle to Hyundai for this same horn issue in 2024. One of those visits was properly documented. I subsequently returned regarding the horn again, and the horn was made operational; however, to the best of my knowledge, that subsequent visit and/or work was not properly documented in my service history. The horn has now failed again. A functioning horn is an important vehicle safety device. Without it, I cannot reliably warn another driver, cyclist, pedestrian, or other road user when immediate warning may be necessary to avoid a collision. On August 11, 2026, I brought my vehicle to Capitol Hyundai, 1050 Capitol Expressway Auto Mall, San Jose, CA 95136, seeking assistance with this recurring problem. What occurred is particularly concerning because Capitol Hyundai’s own Repair Order documents the situation. The Repair Order states: “CUSTOMER STATES HORN IS NOT WORKING PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE” and also states: “DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO SERVICE CLIENT DUE TO CUSTOMER ISSUE.” I am attaching a copy of this Repair Order. Therefore, there should be no dispute that Capitol Hyundai had actual written notice on [XXX] that I reported an inoperative horn and that the dealership documented its refusal to service me. Instead of resolving the safety concern, I left without the horn being repaired. I was also told that the dealership would INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

NHTSA ID

11756321

Incident

Aug 11, 2026

Rear latch unlocks while vehicle is running or not running up to 30 times at once. Rear latch unlocks without key being in vehicle. This has been reported to Hyundai Motor America since August 2025. The front collision warning goes off at random times, left side departure goes off at random times.

NHTSA ID

11715395

Incident

Jul 4, 2025

After a routine service visit, the vehicle’s braking and speed‑control systems began to behave abnormally. The ABS/ESC control module was replaced or reprogrammed without documentation, and immediately afterward the vehicle’s braking feel, speed‑control behavior, and forward‑collision warning timing changed noticeably. These changes created a safety risk because the vehicle no longer responded in a predictable way compared to its original performance. The affected components are available for inspection upon request. The issue was reproduced multiple times under normal driving conditions. Braking response became inconsistent, and the speed‑control system no longer behaved as it did before the service. The timing and behavior of forward‑collision alerts also changed compared to pre‑service operation. These changes created unpredictability in traffic, especially during following‑distance adjustments, stop‑and‑go situations, and sudden‑braking scenarios. The dealership did not provide technical documentation or explanation for the module replacement or configuration changes and did not acknowledge the change in system behavior. The manufacturer’s customer service reviewed the case but did not provide technical findings. An independent service center could not verify the original configuration because the manufacturer did not provide the Manufacturer Build Sheet. The vehicle has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives. No warning lamps or dashboard messages appeared before or after the issue. The only indication of a problem was the sudden change in braking, speed‑control, and forward‑collision system behavior immediately after the service visit.

NHTSA ID

11707833

Incident

Feb 29, 2024

Theres more than three issues going on. The car has shut off while driving at least 50 mph on the highway. Currently there's no safety features working on the car.

NHTSA ID

11676079

Incident

Jul 24, 2025

Vehicle was service at a Hyundai Dealer for routine required maintenance to continue the warranty. Less than 24 hours later I was driving my special needs, handicap daughter to breakfast and pulled into a handicap parking space and placed my foot on the brake. The pedal seemed to not have any tension and go to the floor. The emergency collision warning went off, but the brakes did not work. The vehicle jumped over a parking curb, knocking over a handicap sign, going across the sidewalk, hitting a garbage can and finally coming to a stop in a brick building.

NHTSA ID

11636006

Incident

Nov 23, 2024

While driving, my car completely turned off and the dashboard say “engine turn off”. This happened on two separate occasions. Also on separate occasions while i was driving the beep to indicate that i was too close to another car went off when i was not near another car, during that time it also emergency breaked on its own.

NHTSA ID

11595972

Incident

Jun 22, 2024

ALL OF THE VEHICLE SAFETY ALERTS ARE NOT WORKING. HMFUSA HAS CHANGED THE VIN NUMBER ON THIS VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP SAYS THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID

11594330

Incident

Jun 6, 2024

Forward Safety Mode is the default setting on every time you start the vehicle and this mode when entering from side streets or any strip center or lane into on coming traffic lanes the vehicle senses you crossing the road lines and kills the Accelerator ! When trying to enter onto the main road even if you allow enough time to accelerate to pull out onto main road : The vehicle thinks you are off raod or in some sort of danger and kills the accelerator and if you think fast enough after the 2-3 second delay you can floor the accelerator and the vehicle will then start picking up after a dangerous delay that can get someone t-boned and very serious accident if not possible death. Its a very dangerous function. Note: I manually go in and turn this forward safety to warning only or off. I use the warning but the real problem is you have to do this upon every start after turning the engine off. I think this needs to be seriously looked into.If you dont turn to warning setting and go to say pull out of a store onto the highway and dont leave enough time to avoid on coming traffic and or you freeze due to no accelleration you are in deep trouble and maybe an accident !! Or Death..

NHTSA ID

11591990

Incident

Jun 2, 2024

This has happened 3 times and I’ve only owned the car since Sept 2023, the first time was Feb 4 2024, then Feb 28th and March 11, 2024, when I am trying to accelerate I push on the gas and the rpm’s will go higher but the car doesn’t gain any speed.so when trying to pass a vehicle I can’t because it will do this and it’s dangerous, I do have a video of this

NHTSA ID

11579866

Incident

Mar 11, 2024

Had left Costco and while driving away down road to intersection, the 2023 Kona SEL abruptly locked the brakes and briefly skidded, as it displayed Emergency Braking Activated message on display. I had crossed a dotted line to enter a left turn lane at about 20 mph to make a turn which should not have triggered the AEB-there wasnt anything in front of me whatsoever except empty road, the roadway was dry and unobstructed. I maintained control of the car after being surprised by the brakes locking up for a second or two without any warning. I have not experienced this before after driving the Kona for little over a year and a half, with 22, 000 miles. I experienced repeated phantom braking problems with a 2120 Mazda Cx30 I previously owned; the Kona braked harder into a brief skid but shorter in time than the CX30. This was more dangerous!

NHTSA ID

11568881

Incident

Jan 30, 2024

While driving on the highway on an extended trip my cruise control dropped its speed from 71 to 65 without warning. On one occasion it happened while I was in the passing lane with a lot of traffic behind me. It created a very dangerous situation before I could get into the right lane. Another incident was when again I was driving along, no one in front of me, beside me or behind me and the speed dropped once again. Had I been in traffic who knows what would have happened. I have turned the automatic breaking system off because while on a trip I was in the right lane when a car cut me off. The breaks went on and the car went totally out of control! I have filed a complaint with Hyundai and after waiting 8 weeks for a call regarding my case number they refuse to acknowledge that it is a manufacturing issue. I have had the vehicle into the dealer 3 times and they have not been able to replicate it by driving around the area, but have not taken it out on the highway at a higher speed which is when it occurs and when one would use the cruise control. I have only 9,000 miles on the car at this point and no remedy in sight.

NHTSA ID

11554821

Incident

Aug 30, 2023

Car stopped accelerating on the highway and held me at 40mph. This happened twice. Then before being able to get it in for service while driving the car made a loud bang and came to a rolling stop again on the highway and the transmission control system alarm went off and the car would not move. Had to get towed off the highway and in a rental now. This was a brand new 2023 hyundai kona sel limited.

NHTSA ID

11531199

Incident

Jul 8, 2023

While traveling at 70 mph on the freeway my 2023 Kona with less than 2,000 miles dropped into neutral and lost speed, almost causing a crash. I’m lucky the driver behind me braked in time. The dealer has informed me that the transmission needs to be replaced.

NHTSA ID

11525038

Incident

May 21, 2023

Within 1 mile of having windshield replaced the mirror broke free falling down completely distracted the driver, tried to grab mirror did not see the car ahead applied his brakes the forward collision warning and the automatic emergency braking did not warn of the danger or avoid it . the driver applied the brakes but not soon to avoid the accident

NHTSA ID

11523497

Incident

May 5, 2023

The cruise control on this 2023 Kona has not worked since the day I purchased it. When the cruise control is engaged it will suddenly decelerate, but the cruise still appears engaged. It sometimes then suddenly reaccelerates. This causes traffic to suddenly back up behind me, and also to be in danger in front of me when it reaccelerates rapidly. I informed the dealer immediately of the issue. They advised there was a 2022 in their shop for the exact same issue at 8,000 miles. They asked me to bring mine in, which I have done now three times. That shop now has 4 Konas with the exact same issue, yet they do not have a fix. The Hyundai forum boards are full of this same complaint. I have contacted Hyundai Corporate. They also don’t have a solution, but won’t take back my new vehicle. I have less than 1,000 miles on this Kona - most of that from driving one hour to/from the dealer 3 times. I have been understanding and professional in my dealings with them however, I have run out of patience. I did not get what I paid for and am being asked to put myself/my family in danger driving this vehicle back and forth to this dealer who doesn’t even have a fix.

NHTSA ID

11518022

Incident

Feb 18, 2023

i was driving at 45mph and a deer came in front of my car . We hit the deer in front of car , deer approximitly 100 lbs no warning like brake sytem lane obstruction or air bags deployed ? I bought this car based Hyundai telling me how safe of car it is . When obiously it is not I notified Hyundai america of these things and they said everything worked correctly ?

NHTSA ID

11516654

Incident

Feb 10, 2023

The car is set at a speed for cruise control. For no reason it loses power, after a while it returns speed as set. At the beginning the doors weren’t working for locking and unlocking by the handle. Seems okay now but I made a video showing the rear camera staying on while driving. Also included, two pictures of maintenance reports with different results.

NHTSA ID

11496647

Incident

Dec 2, 2022