2018 Hyundai KONA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
74 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
15,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 41 of 74 complaints (55.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 14 | 18.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 10.8% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 6.8% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 41 |
| Unknown Or Other | 25 |
| Power Train | 11 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
Engine: 41; Unknown Or Other: 25; Power Train: 11; Electrical System: 8; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Exterior Lighting: 3; Structure:Body: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 50 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 11 |
2018: 9; 2019: 4; 2020: 3; 2021: 5; 2022: 5; 2023: 11; 2024: 12; 2025: 14; 2026: 11
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 14 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11454255 · 2022-02-26 (February 26, 2022)
I purchased my Hyundai Kona SEL 2.0 new. I have maintained this vehicle exactly by owner's manual using only synthetic oil. This auto ran good for 110000 miles with no indicator lights present on the dashboard. After a personal trip I began to experience stalling issues without any warning or indicator lights or messages. This auto stalled a total of 10 times without warning almost causing rear end collisions. I just barely got the vehicle home. When I just made it into my driveway a loud noise emitted from engine and auto then stalled again. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11454255 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11467856 · 2022-06-06 (June 6, 2022)
Vehicle engine randomly stalls when slowing down, at intersections, and while driving down the road in traffic. The lives of my children and I were directly put at risk by narrowly avoiding collisions due to the engine stalling. There are multiple lights that come on when engine stalls including the check engine light, and a car with a key, as well as several others. I have contacted the manufactures due to other vehicles of the same make model and year being under a recall for the exact same issue of engine stalling. Manufacturer is failing to…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11467856 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11510813 · 2023-03-08 (March 8, 2023)
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the oil and battery warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle would not accelerate as needed. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted but the vehicle would not accelerate as needed. The contact became aware that there was no oil in the engine. Additionally, there was oil leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that due to the oil leak …
Owner-reported narrative. 35,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11510813 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11511771 · 2023-03-14 (March 14, 2023)
Oil change was on 1/13/2023 at 33,505 miles. On 2/25/2023 at 35,366 miles after driving on the highway for about 30 mins at 65 mph, the oil light came on and car was making a loud noise as I pulled in to park. My car was parked for about 1.5hrs at my destination. I attempted to drive home and get back on the highway when my engine stalled at about 40 mph and my engine and battery light came on. I had to pull over to the shoulder as my car would not drive anymore. My car was then towed to my house and later to the hyundai dealer where they dete…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11511771 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11363820 · 2020-10-11 (October 11, 2020)
WHEN GOING FROM GAS TO BRAKE, EVEN AT LOW SPEED THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD, EVEN AFTER THE BRAKE IS COMPRESSED. I HAVE BEEN IN TWO CRASHES NOW WITH THE SAME CAR TIS HAS HAPPENED. I SEE THAT IN AUSTRALIA, OVER 4000 OF THE SAME CARS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE. TWO YEARS AGO I CRASHED INTO A TREE. THIS MORNING I CRASHED INTO MY GARAGE DOOR AND DEMOLISHED IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11363820 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11429039 · 2021-08-13 (August 13, 2021)
I have owned the car for a little over a month, full warranty still on car. Two weeks into owning I noticed the steering wheel would effect the navigation, radio, camera...the console would go into a loop and keep restarting. Took in for service, the stated they would order a part. Saturday, August 7th, I was looking for a parking space in the Publix that is less than 1/2 mile from my home. As I was turning into the next lane at, approx 2 miles per hour if that ,to find a space, the steerring held tight to the right, I felt the car lurch for…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11429039 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11382927 · 2020-12-10 (December 10, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWN 2018 HYUNDAI KONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNSTATED FAILURES WITH THE INTERIOR LIGHTING, HEADLIGHTS AND REAR TAIL LIGHTS. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN STEERING FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORT MILL HYUNDAI (805 GOLD HILL RD, FORT MILL, SC 29708) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE RECEIVED SEVERAL UNKNOWN REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,894.
Owner-reported narrative. 44,894 miles reported. Look up ODI 11382927 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11693601 · 2025-10-15 (October 15, 2025)
The DCT(Dual Clutch Transmission) has always been an issue since I purchased the vehicle. Anytime I would be going at a slow pace in a drive-thru or traffic on the freeway the car would jolt and shake. I brought my car to a Hyundai dealership in 2021 at 36,000 miles and was told this was normal with the transmissions provided by Hyundai and there was no need to worry. Now, at 72,000 miles I was driving down CA-60 when my car transmission died. The car would not go when I was giving it gas and would make a whirring noise when trying to accelerat…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11693601 at NHTSA ↗