Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · 2 NHTSA variants

2025 Hyundai KonaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 30 owner complaints for the 2025 Hyundai Kona. Most complaints involve electrical system (10) and service brakes (4). The EPA rates it 26–118 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
26–118mpg
EPA · 9 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jul 2026
Owner complaints
30
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seat belts: rear

Free remedy

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.

Seat beltsReported Jul 15, 2026NHTSA 26V452000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

30 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2024 – Nov 2026
  1. Electrical system10
  2. Service brakes4
  3. Power train4
  4. Vehicle speed control3
  5. Forward collision avoidance3
  6. Structure3
  7. Seats2
  8. Suspension2
  9. Engine2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Kona model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201875
2019252
2020189
2021147
2022124
202371
202468
202530
202611
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

10 reports
“The vehicle experienced a total electrical failure while driving. Dealer diagnosed the issue as a loose fuse box connector/power distribution connector. The vehicle and repaired component should be available for inspection through the Hyundai dealer service department. The vehicle suddenly lost all power while being driven on a public roadway. The engine shut off, dashboard went dark, and power steering assistance was lost, creating a risk of collision and leaving the vehicle disabled in traffic. A Hyundai dealer diagnosed and confirmed that a loose fuse box connector caused the loss of power. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Hyundai dealer service department. No police or insurance inspection was performed. No warning lights, messages, or symptoms appeared prior to the failure. The vehicle lost power suddenly without warning while driving.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 6, 2026Electrical systemODI 11736013

Service brakes

4 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 19, 2026Steering, Suspension, Service brakesODI 11751386

Power train

4 reports
“Power train the engine roars up and drops jarring you back and forth second car within a yr first blew up brand new both and Hyundia and dealership blew me off”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 21, 2026Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11745464
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

9 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
Electric motor · 2.0L 4-cyl · 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (A1) · Automatic (AV-S1) · Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Electricity · Regular Gasoline
EV range
261 mi (EPA)

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Kona Electric Standard Range
Auto (A1) · Front-Wheel Drive
131105118$650—
Kona Electric (17 inch Wheels)
Auto (A1) · Front-Wheel Drive
129103116$650—
Kona Electric (19 inch Wheels)
Auto (A1) · Front-Wheel Drive
11393103$700—
Kona FWD
Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283531$2,000288
Kona FWD
Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, with Stop-Start · Front-Wheel Drive
293431$2,000284
Kona AWD
Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, with Stop-Start · All-Wheel Drive
272928$2,200319
Kona FWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo, SIDI · Front-Wheel Drive
263228$2,200315
Kona AWD
Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
262927$2,300323
Kona AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo, SIDI · All-Wheel Drive
242926$2,400339
  • Kona Electric Standard Range
    Auto (A1)
    131 city · 105 hwy · $650/yr
    118
    mpg comb.
  • Kona Electric (17 inch Wheels)
    Auto (A1)
    129 city · 103 hwy · $650/yr
    116
    mpg comb.
  • Kona Electric (19 inch Wheels)
    Auto (A1)
    113 city · 93 hwy · $700/yr
    103
    mpg comb.
  • Kona FWD
    Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    28 city · 35 hwy · $2,000/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Kona FWD
    Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, with Stop-Start
    29 city · 34 hwy · $2,000/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Kona AWD
    Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, with Stop-Start
    27 city · 29 hwy · $2,200/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Kona FWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo, SIDI
    26 city · 32 hwy · $2,200/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Kona AWD
    Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    26 city · 29 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Kona AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo, SIDI
    24 city · 29 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

3 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Hyundai Kona SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Hyundai Kona SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 20567Vehicle 20566Vehicle 20568
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2025 Kona questions

How many recalls does the 2025 Hyundai Kona have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2025 Hyundai Kona problems?

Owners filed 30 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (10), service brakes (4), power train (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2025 Hyundai Kona get?

The EPA rates the 2025 Hyundai Kona at 26–118 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (9 versions rated).

How safe is the 2025 Hyundai Kona?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2025 Hyundai Kona 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026