2026 Hyundai KONA: complaints, problems and recalls

Body: The hood/Under the hood: There is a wide ½“ or more gap on the right and left side of the hood. I can see inside under the hood from a distance. It is not flush while connecting to the rest of the vehicle. I can see the ground after opening the hood. The engine and all the components are exposed to the elements. This is a new vehicle from the dealership brand. There is no cover for the bottom to protect the engine or protection for wirings and other mechanisms under the hood. Winters in Illinois is brutal and floods. Poor acceleration an…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11691016 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, an inspector discovered a puddle of fuel on the ground underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the hood insulation was damaged, and the fuel lines were punctured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that two other GSA fleet vehicles of the same year, make, and model, as well as a coworker who owns a 2025 Hyundai Konda had experienced the same failure. The contact related the failure to …

Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11712882 at NHTSA ↗

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 seco…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11718634 at NHTSA ↗

Hyundai needs to eliminate the “CONSIDER TAKING A COFFEE BREAK “ alert! Its completely distracting, comes in way too frequently, and is loud

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11723613 at NHTSA ↗

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 …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11733958 at NHTSA ↗

Coke spill in cup holders caused a leak to the wiring harness below the center console. It drained the battery, shut down all of the buttons on the steering wheel and shut the infotainment system down. It finally died and had to be towed to Vann York Hyundai in Highpoint NC. They told me that because it was cased by an outside influence it's not covered by the warranty and estimated $800 labor for repair. The leak is a defect.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11736844 at NHTSA ↗

Car went into a limp mode several times, potentially could cause major accident. Towed to dealer who found nothing wrong. Would not give me loaner. I had to sell the Kona in order to have a car, car was bought new had 770 mikes on it. What can I do?

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11755720 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and went into LIMP Mode before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted and resumed normal functionality. While depressing the accelerator, the vehicle lunged forward. The contact depressed the brake pedal and regained control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The…

Owner-reported narrative. 770 miles reported. Look up ODI 11756273 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2026-01-26 (January 26, 2026)

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."

Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 24, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 293. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 28, 2026.

Reported: 2026-02-05 (February 5, 2026)

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Kona vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front steering knuckles may crack and break, which can result in a loss of vehicle steering control.

Consequence: A loss of vehicle steering control increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckles, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 5, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 295. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 7, 2026.

Reported: 2026-07-14 (July 14, 2026)

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.

Consequence: A seat belt buckle that fails to properly restrain an occupant in a crash increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Passengers are advised not to use the rear center seat until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 306. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 15, 2026.