2023 Hyundai Kona problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Hyundai Kona, most often about electrical system. There is 1 recall for this model year.

Complaints
66
Recalls
1
Crashes
4
Fires
0
Injuries
3
Median mileage
34,072 mi
at time of problem

Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners to park outside until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Key facts

  • Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 26 of 66 complaints (39%).
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (13) and transmission & drivetrain (10) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 34,072 mi.
  • Owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries.
  • The 2023 Hyundai Kona has 1 recall on file.
  • It ranks 7th of 9 Hyundai Kona model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 34% fewer complaints than the 2022 model year (100).

2023 Hyundai Kona problems by category

  • 26 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    19 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 3 crashes
    13 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    10 complaints
  • Engine
    8 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    7 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    4 complaints
  • Brakes · 2 crashes
    3 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    2 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    1 complaints
  • Airbags · 1 crash
    1 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    1 complaints
  • Steering
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Electrical system21
Unknown or other19
Power train10
Engine8
Vehicle speed control7
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking7
Forward collision avoidance: warnings7
Electrical system:horn6

When problems happen (mileage)

1Under 10k210k–30k130k–60k160k–100k1100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2023 Hyundai Kona complaints that list mileage.

2023 Hyundai Kona recalls (1)

  • Recall 23V526000Jul 27, 202352,109 vehiclesPark outside
    POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:PUMP

    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.

    Risk: 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.

Recent 2023 Hyundai Kona complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Oct 3, 2026OHOther / Unknown
    The horn on my 2023 Hyundai Kona has failed for the THIRD time. This is a dangerous situation. The time before this I barely avoided an accident when a pickup truck was accelerating very fast in reverse from a driveway and didn't see me. Luckily no one was in the oncoming traffic lane and I was able to accelerate into that lane and avoid an accident. But I could not warn him, my horn wasn't working. I can't warn anyone that they're about to drive into my space/lane. IT ISN'T…
    NHTSA complaint #11768686 · source
  2. Filed Sep 15, 202656,144 miPAEngine
    The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving 64 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power with reduced acceleration. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the valve and boost solenoid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 56,144.
    NHTSA complaint #11764450 · source
  3. Filed Sep 9, 2026MAElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
    I was in a rotary and there were two lanes and they both exited to a bridge. I was on the outside lane of the rotary and when exiting the rotary the car from the inside cut me off and I was unable to alert the driver because me HORN wasn't working. I blew out 2 tires hitting a curb and needed to be towed.State police arrived on the other side of the bridge. My HORN has been replaced by the dealer 3 times now.
    NHTSA complaint #11763162 · source
  4. Filed Aug 11, 2026CADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11756321 · source
  5. Filed Jul 30, 2026VAEngine
    I was driving to work on a normal day under normal circumstances when a check engine light won my dashboard. Seconds later my car started showing car is over heating. I immediately swayed from the speed lane to the side of the road almost getting into a crash as other vehicles were at full speeds behind me. I immediately called dealership and made an appointment. My vehicle experienced a premature failure of the cooling coolant valve, a critical component of the engine…
    NHTSA complaint #11753667 · source
  6. Filed Apr 1, 202694,000 miGATransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle hesitated before driving forward. The Engine START/STOP feature was engaged. The contact stated that the ESC warning light was illuminated temporarily. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent, but was a recurring failure. The check engine warning illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local…
    NHTSA complaint #11728608 · source
  7. Filed Mar 28, 2026CAOther / Unknown
    My horn is not working again. It was replaced when I initially got the Kona in 2023. It did not work coming out of the dealership. And now again it is back to not working. This is a liability and also a danger to my children.
    NHTSA complaint #11727689 · source
  8. Filed Mar 24, 2026106,000 miGAElectrical System
    The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that the horn was working intermittently. The horn occasionally operated but had become permanently inoperable. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
    NHTSA complaint #11726817 · source

Compare the 2023 Hyundai Kona with another vehicle →

Other 2023 Hyundai models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology