Problems · NHTSA complaints

2026 Hyundai Kona problems

Owners filed 11 complaints about the 2026 Hyundai Kona with NHTSA between Oct 2025 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is structure (2).

Complaints
11
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Structure2
  2. Electrical system2
  3. Vehicle speed control2
  4. Service brakes2
  5. Forward collision avoidance1
  6. Seat belts1
  7. Engine1
  8. Fuel system, gasoline1
  9. Power train1
  10. Other / unknown3

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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20251
202610

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Structure

2 reports
“-NEW Vehicle purchased 8/26 -All of the weatherstripping is not adhered to the vehicle, on all 4 doors This can create an issues with moisture and mold Dealer stated they replaced front door weatherstripping, but the same issue is there-it is not adhered to the vehicle and the other doors are the same Again this vehicle is brand new-it is a manufacture defect”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 1, 2026StructureODI 11775024

Electrical system

2 reports1 related recall
“I have a 2026 Hyundai Kona that I’ve only had for 3 months and it has 7192 miles on it. Today I turned my vehicle on and the screen that displays my mileage, speedometer, gas level, coolant temp gauge, tire pressure monitor, and other safety features was blacked out with the words “NO SIGNAL” in red. I turned my car on and off a couple times and it still said the same thing. Eventually the dash came back on but now it’s randomly shows the dash display and then goes to a completely black screen. I contacted the dealership and have an upcoming appt however I will not be driving the car because I’m not able to gauge what speed I’m going, if I’m running out of gas, or if my car overheats. There were no previous warning signs; no warning light on the dashboard. The Hyundai app states all systems in my car are working fine. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police insurance rep, or anybody else yet.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 5, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11769128

Vehicle speed control

2 reports
“I bought the car in November 2025. I was on a highway, going at a comfortable, 65 mph speed (a few weeks after purchasing this happened the first time ). Suddenly, the car stopped accelerating, of course I panicked, slowly pulled off to the shoulder, and shut the car off. Luckily, it was not rush hour . I restarted the car, and it was normal driving. I texted my salesperson and asked if he had heard about this issue. He said no. No warning lights or messages appeared as that happened. The speed had decreased and stayed at 36 mph for a few seconds. A few weeks later, it happened again, this time it stayed at around 36 mph. I pulled over and shut the car off, restarted, and no issues. This time I told my salesperson I wanted to bring it in, but they had a one-month wait and offered no help, didn't seem phased or concerned. I took the appointment for February 17, which was approximately a 4-week wait. Again, no lights or warning signals. The third time this happened I was merging on to a very busy ramp to enter a busy highway, and the speed stopped at 11 mph, and I panicked, pulled over restarted the car and that was enough for me to call and insist they take the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 17, 2026Vehicle speed controlODI 11718634

Service brakes

2 reports1 crash
“On April 20, 2026 I was pulling into a parking space. I began to break but something went terribly wrong. My car accelerated on it's own, went over the curb and crashed into a building. Three air bags deployed: two on the drivers side of the car (front and side air bag) and one in the back seat behind the driver (the side air bag). I had a [XXX] in the back seat behind the passenger side of the car in a car seat. I was told at the time of the incident that there was not structural damage to the building that was hit. I have asked my insurance company to inspect the car for any malfunctions but they won't. They deem it totaled and say I am at fault because it's my responsibility to control my car. The police arrived but they did not inspect the car either. I have contacted the dealership (Parkway Hyundai), but they are of no help either. There were not warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. However, I did notice recently that when I put my foot on the break to start the car that sometimes the break was very stiff and other times it was not. I thought it strange but thought it was just the way my car was. My insurance is…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 27, 2026Unknown or other, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11733958

Forward collision avoidance

1 report

Seat belts

1 report1 related recall
“I purchased this vehicle new on July 28, 2026. NHTSA Recall 26V-452 / Hyundai Recall 306 was dated July 13, 2026, and the VIN showed the recall as incomplete when I discovered it. The dealer states that it was unaware of the recall at the time of sale. I am reporting this to document that a new vehicle was delivered to me while this safety recall was unrepaired. I intend to have the recall repair completed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 20, 2026Seat beltsODI 11758247
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.