RoadVitals

2024 Hyundai Kona

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
45
+3 complaints in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest May 1, 2024
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 45 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2024 Hyundai Kona, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and brakes categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 30 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical3044.1%
  • Engine811.8%
  • Brakes68.8%
  • Driver assistance57.4%
  • Steering57.4%
  • Exterior lighting45.9%
  • Visibility34.4%
  • Powertrain (other)34.4%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)

May 1, 2024
13,511 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Hyundai Motor AmericaManufacturer number 260View on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

Dec 26, 2023
10,984 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A short circuit increases the risk of an engine compartment fire.
The 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.
Hyundai Motor AmericaManufacturer number 252View on NHTSA.gov

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR

Sep 22, 2023
2,354 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: A seat belt that does not function properly may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.
Hyundai Motor AmericaManufacturer number 250View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Aug 4, 2026

While driving at night the entire electrical system went out for a few seconds. Headlights out, dash full out, then after a few seconds it came back on. Just like this issue: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11754714
Incident
Aug 1, 2026
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Jul 23, 2026

The car shuts off at random times during me driving . Its like the car locks up steering and shuts completely down . Have to pull over and give the car time . And it shuts back on in and drives with poor accelerate after each issuse. The car is now shaking and making popping sounds while driving .

NHTSA ID
11752393
Incident
Aug 1, 2025
Electrical
Filed Jul 22, 2026

While I was driving, my car turned off and on again while the car was in motion. I wasn't in an accident, but I did notice the headlights turn off, my dashboard turn off, and a red light appear on the dashboard before the car turned itself back on.

NHTSA ID
11752258
Incident
Jul 22, 2026
Steering
Filed Jun 18, 2026
Crash reported1 injury reported

The contact owned a 2024 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving and pulling out of a parking space, the steering wheel turned to the right and then left, after which the vehicle lost power and steering capability. As a result, the contact was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and collided with a pole. The contact could not recall any warning indicators that illuminated after the incident. The driver side bumper and hood sustained damage from the collision and a nearby concrete barrier was also scratched. The vehicle came to a stop in the parking lot in front of the pole. No air bags deployed. The vehicle was subsequently towed to a collision repair facility. No police report was filed. The insurance company determined the vehicle to be a total loss. The contact stated that the seatbelt locked during the crash, causing strain to the left shoulder and a laceration to the left thigh. The contact also reported striking the steering wheel. No medical treatment was sought. The dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 28,791.

NHTSA ID
11745098
Incident
May 24, 2026
Mileage
28,791 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jun 3, 2026

My wife was driving and braked on a hill, not in park. The emergency brake auto-engaged while she was in park, then the emergency brake disengaged automatically. The care starts rolling down the hill, the regular brakes fail and do not work after pumping them multiple times. The emergency brake won't engage either. She tries reversing and that won't work. She shifted the car into drive, car keeps rolling, then she was able to engage the regular brakes and she turned into my driveaway to avoid hitting a wall or other cars. The brake system warning light turned on during this time, indicating some failure in the brake system.

NHTSA ID
11741860
Incident
May 30, 2026
Electrical
Filed May 26, 2026

The vehicle prompted an update that needed the emergency parking brake engaged. Once updated, the parking break light goes off but the parking brake does not disengage. Can no longer move the car until the electrical issue is fixed.

NHTSA ID
11740059
Incident
May 25, 2026
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed May 23, 2026

While driving my 2024 Hyundai Kona on the freeway on May 22, 2026, at approximately 9:30 AM, traveling around 75 mph, my vehicle suddenly displayed a forward collision warning on the dashboard even though there was no vehicle, object, or road hazard in front of me that would justify emergency braking. Immediately after the warning appeared, the vehicle’s automatic emergency braking / forward collision avoidance system activated on its own, causing the car to brake abruptly and rapidly decelerate in active freeway traffic. This created an extremely dangerous situation because vehicles behind me were traveling at freeway speeds and could have rear-ended me, potentially causing a serious multi-vehicle collision resulting in serious injury or death. I had no warning prior to this event, no dashboard warning lights, service messages, or other symptoms indicating a problem with the system. The suspected failed component is the forward collision avoidance / automatic emergency braking system, and the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The issue has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by a dealership or independent repair facility, and the vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others. My best assessment is that the system falsely detected a collision risk and activated emergency braking without cause, creating a severe highway safety hazard.

NHTSA ID
11739689
Incident
May 22, 2026
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Apr 16, 2026

On two separate occasions while in drive and accelerating, the car display indicated an “engine has been turned off, move to park” error. The car automatically went into neutral and I lost all control of acceleration until I came to a full stop, put it in park, and turned off the car.

NHTSA ID
11731640
Incident
Apr 14, 2026

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

26-FL-003H TSB

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE

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 Lamp (MIL) and set DTC P223700 (O₂ Sensor Pumping Current Circuit/Open [Bank 1 Sensor 1]). This bulletin provides instructions to perform an ECU software update to correct the O₂ sensor logic and resolve the condition.

26-GI-002H TSB

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 Improvements and Additional Improvements tables in this TSB for a list of specific changes. The software can be downloaded via Navigation Updater (NAU) and updated by USB.

26-EE-003H TSB

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE

Some vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an inspection on the starter magnetic switch for potential freezing and, if necessary, replace the starter magnetic switch (solenoid) assembly.

DTN DCS

AIR BAGS

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prior crashes, theft, or non‑certified airbag replacements. These inflators are not approved for use, may rupture during deployment, and have caused serious injuries and fatalities. Please see attached announcement, provided by NHTSA, for more details.

DTN DL

AIR BAGS

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehicle manufacturers and have primarily been found in vehicles that previously experienced a crash and underwent airbag replacement using non-genuine parts. These dangerous inflators have ruptured during deployment, posing a serious risk of injury or death due to metal fragments entering the vehicle cabin. To date, Hyundai is aware of three people who have died while driving a Hyundai vehicle with one of these substandard replacement airbag inflators that deployed in what likely would have been a survivable crash. NHTSA has issued a public advisory urging vehicle owners and service professionals to have vehicles inspected if there is reason to believe that a non-genuine replacement airbag may have been installed. Vehicles with salvage or rebuilt titles, prior airbag deployments, or unknown repair histories may present a higher risk. NHTSA strongly cautions against self-inspection by vehicle owners and recommends inspection by trained technicians.

26-01-035H TSB

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink functions. This may be due to an occasional disconnection on Verizon’s communication network. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to verify Bluelink Data Communication Unit (DCU) network connection and if needed, reset the DCU in Dealer Mode to resolve the connection.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Hyundai Kona by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026830
2025280049.9
2024Viewing453060.4
2023631049.2
2022960246.5
20211131155.3
20201542264.6
20191851259.3
2018740160.1

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.