Problems · NHTSA complaints
2024 Hyundai Kona problems
Owners filed 68 complaints about the 2024 Hyundai Kona with NHTSA between Dec 2023 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (41).
Complaints
68
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system41
- Engine10
- Steering8
- Forward collision avoidance8
- Service brakes7
- Exterior lighting7
- Power train5
- Lane departure2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Visibility/wiper2
- Seats2
- Visibility1
- Seat belts1
- Communication1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
23
22
21
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 23 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 21 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
41 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“I was driving the speed control panel completely gets blackout for a few second and come back ( dash board ) it happened five times so far and the car is 37,000 MI”
Engine
10 reports
“The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message to “Turn off Engine and Restart Engine” was displayed and the engine seized. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving on a busy highway. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle started. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact stated that four months later the failure reoccurred. The failure became a persistent failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.”
Steering
8 reports3 crashes
“The contact leased a 2024 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel independently turned from the left to the right, and the contact lost control of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact experienced temporary left wrist pain but had not sought medical attention. The contact regained control of the vehicle and stopped the vehicle; however, the failure reoccurred a week later while reversing out of a parking space. During the failures, there were no other vehicles or objects nearby. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, but the service department was unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer claimed that the vehicle was safe to drive but refused to provide it in writing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.”
Forward collision avoidance
8 reports
“This mainly concerns the forward collision detection sensor, if that’s even what it’s actually called. My vehicle is available for testing and inspection. I was driving on an interstate, with my adaptive cruise control set to 75 mph. I was in the left of 3 lanes when got to a curve that went to the right. As I came to the beginning of the curve, all of a sudden my dash is warning me of a forward collision and the car started braking hard on its own. There is a metal guardrail that separates the 2 sides of the interstate and cars are also coming from the other direction. There wasn’t anyone behind me, thank goodness. If there had been, I can’t say for sure what would have happened, but it would not have been good. It took a hot minute for me to figure out what it was doing so I could stop it and get back up to speed. It scared me when it happened. When I go the same way without my cruise control on, it doesn’t happen. That’s how I know it has something to do with how it’s all connected. This has happened twice at 2 different places since I got the car in May of 2024. I don’t use my cruise control hardly at all now because I’m scared it’s going to suddenly brake…”
Service brakes
7 reports3 crashes
“I purchased a new 2024 Hyundai Kona in September 2023 and followed its scheduled maintenance program. By August 12, 2026, I had noticed mild, intermittent excessive brake-pedal travel, especially at low speeds. I reported it to the dealer that day; September 14 was their earliest available appointment. By September 14, the pedal drop was more pronounced and frequent at low speeds. The dealer inspected the brakes and reported no abnormality. A technician verbally acknowledged some downward pedal movement but reportedly considered it acceptable. No cause was identified or repair made. By September 16, the problem had become persistent and severe: approximately the first 90% of pedal travel produced little or no effective braking, with limited braking only near the floor. Stopping even at very low speeds became difficult. Sounds and pedal feedback suggested frequent ABS activation, although this was not diagnostically confirmed. I stopped driving on September 16; the vehicle has remained parked and is available for inspection. I first reported this severe condition to Hyundai Motor America on September 16 because I had lost confidence in the original dealer's…”
Exterior lighting
7 reports
“- While driving, everything electrical turned off (engine stayed on) for approximately 3 seconds including headlights, navigation, dashboard containing speed, music, etc. - This occurrence happened during the daytime, so there was no danger; however this has also happened to me at night a year ago, causing me to lose all vision at 40 MPH which was a major safety risk. - This problem has occurred with others [XXX] ) and Hyundai has not acknowledged it or been able to reproduce it, simply returning the vehicle to people who bring it in. - My vehicle has not been inspected, as from others' experiences it sounds like this issue does not register as an error code and would be a waste of time with no action from Hyundai. - There are no other issues with my vehicle in terms of warning lights or messages. I have frequent oil changes and have only driven this car 6,000 miles. It was bought brand new in 2024.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.