I purchased a used Hyndai Kona with 26,000 miles April 30 2026. I was told I have the balance of the manufacturer warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles. I have not driven my car for 73 days because of extreme safety problems the Hyundai Kona. The car is very difficult to steer. The car pulls significantly to the right. One day …
Read full complaint
I purchased a used Hyndai Kona with 26,000 miles April 30 2026. I was told I have the balance of the manufacturer warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles. I have not driven my car for 73 days because of extreme safety problems the Hyundai Kona. The car is very difficult to steer. The car pulls significantly to the right. One day after I purchased this vehicle the car jumped the curb and my face hit the steering wheel cutting my nose and creating a black eye. There is a lot of play in the steering wheel. When accelerating from a stop the car hesitates to move creating a safety concern. My rear view mirror does not stay in place. The mirror drops down and I cannot see behind me causing a safety concern. Both side view mirrors have to be adjusted each time I drive the car.
NHTSA ODI #11751386
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2026
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other
Component or System: The brake system, specifically what appears to be a false ABS activation or IEB (Integrated Electronic Brake) system malfunction. The component is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: While braking at speeds between 25-40 mph, typically on dry pavement and more frequently on downhill grades, t…
Read full complaint
Component or System: The brake system, specifically what appears to be a false ABS activation or IEB (Integrated Electronic Brake) system malfunction. The component is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: While braking at speeds between 25-40 mph, typically on dry pavement and more frequently on downhill grades, the brake pedal exhibits a chugging sensation, erratic stopping behavior, and pedal softening consistent with unintended ABS activation or IEB malfunction. This occurs on dry roads where ABS activation is neither warranted nor expected, creating unpredictable braking response and extended stopping distances. The defect has occurred 24 documented times since [XXX], and existed prior to that date. Dealer Confirmation: Yes. During a ride-along at Edmond Hyundai on [XXX], a technician directly witnessed and confirmed the occurrence. Despite this confirmation, it was not documented on the repair order. Two prior repair attempts returned cannot-reproduce results: March 2, 2026 at Bob Howard Hyundai and March 10, 2026 at Edmond Hyundai. Additional Repair/Inspection Attempts: On April 7, 2026, Norman Hyundai opened and closed a repair order without the consumer's knowledge and refused to provide a copy despite an explicit request. On May 23, 2026, a scheduled appointment at Bob Howard Hyundai was missed; a reschedule request was subsequently ignored by the dealership. HMA Case No. [XXX] is active. Warning Lamps or Prior Symptoms: No warning lamps have illuminated. The defect presents exclusively as a physical sensation—pedal/brake chugging, softening, and erratic stopping during normal dry-pavement braking. The issue has been present since delivery on [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11743594
Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2026
Electrical SystemService BrakesStructure
I have a 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited. On [XXX], around the afternoon on Sunnyvale, California, while exiting [XXX] headed to Lake Tahoe, the liftgate bolt that attaches to the body had buckled mechanically as the system did not back away when a flashlight that came out of a travel bag was blocking the way to have it closed. The ca…
Read full complaint
I have a 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited. On [XXX], around the afternoon on Sunnyvale, California, while exiting [XXX] headed to Lake Tahoe, the liftgate bolt that attaches to the body had buckled mechanically as the system did not back away when a flashlight that came out of a travel bag was blocking the way to have it closed. The car computer thinks the liftgate is open even though the lock is secured. The car computer allows to drive without seatbelts secured or closures ajar for a few seconds at low speed but then it automatically with little warning engages the electronic handbrake while driving. I was driving on a highway in a middle lane when the car engaged without my consent the electronic handbrake locking the wheels and I almost got rear ended and killed by a semitruck. I had to floor the gas pedal and steer to a shoulder to request a tow. Since it was a long weekend before Presidents Day, I had the car taken to the nearest dealer in Modesto California. Their service department invented a lie that due to a side crash, which was a failure of the collision mitigation system that happened months ago, is the cause and that it is my fault even though the driver admitted responsibility but it is an unrelated issue. There should be a way of overriding the car computer so it does not engage the electronic hand brake on the middle of the highway, specially at night as this creates a road hazard that can lead to death. I replicate the issue with a rental, a Hyundai Tucson, they use the same gas strut and bolt that in my opinion has a very narrow gage. As you can see in the picture, the passenger side bolt is fine, the driver side is buckled. The side accident that happened on May 2025 was on the passenger side but the liftgate is fine; at any rate both sides should be deformed not just one if that were to be the case but it is not. Dealer and Hyundai attempting to sideline the issue to avoid a warranty and recall in my opinion. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11721002
Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2025
Service Brakes
Mushy brake pedal after 1000 miles This just started yesterday, seemingly out of nowhere. When I push the brake pedal it's mushier than it used to be. If I push hard, I get more resistance at first but then it slowly sinks toward the floor as a I continue to press. If I push softer then it just sinks toward the floor. I still h…
Read full complaint
Mushy brake pedal after 1000 miles This just started yesterday, seemingly out of nowhere. When I push the brake pedal it's mushier than it used to be. If I push hard, I get more resistance at first but then it slowly sinks toward the floor as a I continue to press. If I push softer then it just sinks toward the floor. I still have plenty of stopping power. If I push the pedal repeatedly then it builds up more resistance ("pump the brakes") but then the resistance calms down and it becomes mushy again.
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.
Consequence & remedy
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 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2025 Hyundai Kona Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year