2022 Hyundai KONA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
96 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
19,842 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2022 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 32 of 96 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 13.5% |
| Braking behavior | 11 | 11.5% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 5.2% |
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 | 32 |
| Unknown Or Other | 26 |
| Electrical System | 20 |
| Power Train | 16 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 11 |
| Service Brakes | 9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 4 |
Engine: 32; Unknown Or Other: 26; Electrical System: 20; Power Train: 16; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 11; Service Brakes: 9; Vehicle Speed Control: 9; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 85 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 28 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 23 |
| 2026 | 10 |
2021: 7; 2022: 28; 2023: 13; 2024: 15; 2025: 23; 2026: 10
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 13 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 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 11431941 · 2021-09-07 (September 7, 2021)
Transmission has extremely hard shifts from 1 to second when quickly accelerating. This can cause you to not be able to accelerate quickly enough to get out of traffic. I have heard this is a common issue from other Kona N-Line owners.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11431941 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11441917 · 2021-11-29 (November 29, 2021)
While on the highway the transmission completely stopped shifting and stayed in first gear and would only rev up the engine when the accelerator was applied.I had to coast slowly off the freeway to an exit to safely park. I turned the vehicle off and restarted after a few minutes and it drove regularly. Apparently there are other customers that have experienced this issue and this raises a lot of concern on the safety of operating this vehicle.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11441917 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11464596 · 2022-05-13 (May 13, 2022)
I was driving on the freeway the car in front of me was at least 4 car lengths away. My car flashed emergency breaks and locked it’s breaks coming to a stop on the fast lane of the freeway. Nearly avoided an accident. This has happened twice- both with no reason and no issue in front of me to cause the car to think it needed to suddenly use emergency brakes.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11464596 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11473339 · 2022-07-11 (July 11, 2022)
I was driving on the freeway at about speed limit. I was at a safe distance (3 car lengths away) from the car in front of me. The emergency brake activated. It did not stop the car, but I felt a pause in the drive. The message on my dashboard stated "emergency brake activated". A few minutes later, the emergency brake activated again. Again, it did not stop the car, but I felt another pause in the drive. The message "emergency brake activated" also came on the dashboard. I had a passenger in the car.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11473339 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11492512 · 2022-11-06 (November 6, 2022)
22’ Kona N DCT Base US spec. 5,600 miles est (2nd Kona) Fuel used: Shell Premium Outside Temp: 76F/Dry-Clear Sky. This is my 2nd Kona N, this is the 4th experience I’ve had with my Kona N’s. Towed the first on Vin# [XXX] to dealer, engine stalled after refueling during a road trip. 6/7k miles. Misfire. No replaced parts, car started acting normal. Then I traded it in for another Kona N in June 22’. The vehicle in normal mode is fine. I believe. Switching from N Mode is where the engine starts misfiring and runs on 3,2cyl puffing out white s…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11492512 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11511707 · 2023-03-14 (March 14, 2023)
Transmission failed, to start with it wouldn’t go into reverse, then while trying to drive in forward it stalled and shut everything down with a code message going across the screen a possible condition with your transmission control system has been detected.a full check system is recommended to be done soon.please contact your local dealership to make appointment. Had to have car towed to dealership transmission would not operate at all.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11511707 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11441411 · 2021-11-23 (November 23, 2021)
I purchased in July 2021 todays date is Nov 22nd it has been 5 months and for the second time I get to my parked car and the power locks don’t work with the key fob and the engine simply will not start. The first time I had the tow truck guy jump start the engine and it worked up until today, I took it in for a diagnostic and they said the battery was healthy everything checked out. Today again Nov 22 I get to my car again won’t unlock and engine simply will not turn on with key entry model SE. This time I had them tow to the dealership for mor…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11441411 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11596538 · 2024-06-25 (June 25, 2024)
I purchased this 2022 Kona used with 12,000 miles in April 2024. On 4 occasions it has failed to start. When starting the vehicle with push button I only heard a series of clicking. There was no other sound made while trying to start the car. My husband had a remote jumper and attached it to the battery as directed on the jumper, then pushed the start button. The vehicle started immediately. The vehicle then ran normally. I episode occurred after the vehicle sat while we were away for 2 weeks on vacation. Again, using the remote jumper,…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11596538 at NHTSA ↗