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2026 Hyundai Kona recalls & problems

The 2026 Hyundai Kona has 3 safety recalls and 10 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is unknown or other (3 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints10filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
NHTSA overall4 ★crash-test stars
2026 Hyundai Kona in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Seat beltsJul 14, 2026

Rear/other › Buckle assembly

Recall 26V45200047,787 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A seat belt buckle that fails to properly restrain an occupant in a crash increases the risk of injury.
Fix
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.
SteeringFeb 5, 2026

Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm

Recall 26V0690004,555 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A loss of vehicle steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.
Electrical systemJan 26, 2026

Instrument cluster/panel

Recall 26V04700041,651 vehicles

Problem
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."
Risk
An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2026 HYUNDAI KONA SUV N/A AWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk15.9%

2026 HYUNDAI KONA SUV N/A FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk15.1%
2026 Hyundai Kona NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2026 Hyundai Kona NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Kona FWD

31mpg combined
City / highway28 / 35 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S1) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,150/year to fuel

Kona FWD w/Stop-Start

31mpg combined
City / highway29 / 34 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S1) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,150/year to fuel

Kona FWD SX2 1.6T 8AT FWD

28mpg combined
City / highway26 / 31 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Kona AWD w/Stop-Start

28mpg combined
City / highway27 / 29 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S1) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Kona AWD

27mpg combined
City / highway26 / 29 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S1) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Kona AWD SX2 1.6T 8AT AWD

26mpg combined
City / highway25 / 28 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Unknown or other3102—
Service brakes2102—
Vehicle speed control2000—
Electrical system2000—
Power train1000—
StructureBody1000—
Fuel system, gasoline1000—
Engine1000—
Seat belts1000—
Forward collision avoidanceAdaptive cruise control1000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.