The Hyundai Kona spans 2018–2026 with 27 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2019, 2020, 2021 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2026, 2025, 2024. It delivers up to 120 mpg combined and 5-star NHTSA safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Hyundai Kona is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2018 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Hyundai Kona VIN — every digit explained
Every Hyundai Kona carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Hyundai and the country it was built in (real Hyundai codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Kona.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- South KoreaKM8 · KMF · KMH · KMT · KMU · KPH
- USA5NM · 5NP · 5NT · U5Y
- SingaporePFD
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Kona, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Hyundai Kona have?
The Hyundai Kona has 27 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2018–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2026 Hyundai Kona recalls 2
Steering:linkages:knuckle:spindle:arm
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A loss of vehicle steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
2024 Hyundai Kona recalls 3
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve)
What's wrong. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Elantra, Venue, and Kona vehicles. An electrical short circuit may occur in the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve assembly, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Risk. A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 28, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 260.
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables
What's wrong. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Kona vehicles. The 12-Volt battery cables may chafe against the engine control module bracket and short circuit during a crash.
Risk. A short circuit increases the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Fix. Dealers will install sheathing over the wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 252.
Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor
What's wrong. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Kona vehicles. The seat belt assemblies in the right and left rear seats may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupation Crash Protection" and 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Risk. A seat belt that does not function properly may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 21, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 250.
2023 Hyundai Kona recalls 1
Power Train:automatic Transmission:fluid/lubricant:pump
What's wrong. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat.
Risk. An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Fix. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting September 7, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 246.
2021 Hyundai Kona recalls 1
Engine
What's wrong. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
Risk. A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
2020 Hyundai Kona recalls 2
Equipment:other:labels
What's wrong. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Kona vehicles. The certification label may indicate incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 567, "Certification" and 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk. An incorrect GAWR could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install new label stickers displaying the correct GAWR over the affected areas of the certification label, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 187.
Engine
What's wrong. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
Risk. A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
2019 Hyundai Kona recalls 1
Engine
What's wrong. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
Risk. A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Best and worst years for the Hyundai Kona
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 9 tracked years, the worst years are 2019, 2020, 2021 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2026, 2025, 2024.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Kona | Engine | Average | |
| 2019 Kona | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2020 Kona | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2021 Kona | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2022 Kona | Engine | Average | |
| 2023 Kona | Electrical System | Average | |
| 2024 Kona | Electrical System | Best | |
| 2025 Kona | Electrical System | Best | |
| 2026 Kona | Service Brakes | Best |
What are the most common Hyundai Kona problems?
The most-reported Hyundai Kona problems are Seats (6 reports), Tires (5 reports) and Engine (382 reports) — out of 748 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Hyundai Kona specifications & dimensions
The 2023 Hyundai Kona measures 165″ long on a 102″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 3,230 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Hyundai Kona window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 165″ | 71″ | 61″ | 102″ | 3,230 lb |
| 2018–2020 | 164″ | 71″ | 59″ | 102″ | 3,256 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Hyundai Kona cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Kona holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 101 cu ft of passenger volume and 26 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Hyundai Kona tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Hyundai Kona get?
The Hyundai Kona returns up to 120 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $600/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2027 Hyundai Kona (2L 4-cyl) gets 31 mpg combined and costs about $2,000/yr to fuel, emitting 288 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 6/10) — that's about $1,000 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Kona | 28 | 35 | $2,000 | 288 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2026 Kona | 28 | 35 | $2,000 | 288 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2025 Kona | 28 | 35 | $2,000 | 288 | 6/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2024 Kona | 28 | 35 | $2,000 | 288 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2023 Kona | 29 | 35 | $1,950 | 284 | 5/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2022 Kona | 29 | 35 | $1,950 | 284 | 5/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2021 Kona | 28 | 32 | $2,100 | 303 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2020 Kona | 28 | 32 | $2,100 | 303 | 5/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2019 Kona | 28 | 32 | $2,100 | 303 | 5/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2018 Kona | 28 | 32 | $2,100 | 303 | 5/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl |
The 2025 Hyundai Kona gets 118 MPGe and costs about $650/yr to fuel — that's about $7,750 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Kona | 131 | 105 | $650 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2024 Kona | 131 | 105 | $650 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2023 Kona | 134 | 106 | $600 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2022 Kona | 132 | 108 | $650 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2021 Kona | 132 | 108 | $600 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2020 Kona | 132 | 108 | $600 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2019 Kona | 132 | 108 | $650 | — | 10/10 | Electric |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Kona stacks up against the most fuel-efficient SUVs, or calculate this Kona's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Hyundai Kona have? Power & range
The Hyundai Kona is offered with 2 powertrains — 2L 4-cyl, Electric. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | Regular |
| Electric | Electric motor | Single-speed | FWD | Electricity |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Hyundai Kona tow? Towing & payload
As an SUV, the Hyundai Kona is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your Kona's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
How much does a Hyundai Kona cost to own?
A used Hyundai Kona sells for a median of about $21,800 for a 2025 — most listed between $20,972 and $24,255, from 154 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Kona | $20,972–$24,255 | 11 | |
| 2024 Kona | $18,454–$26,250 | 14 | |
| 2023 Kona | $12,995–$24,888 | 11 | |
| 2022 Kona | $13,799–$19,995 | 17 | |
| 2021 Kona | $9,900–$16,200 | 25 | |
| 2020 Kona | $5,375–$12,995 | 19 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a Kona is worth today, or browse used-market prices for SUVs.
A Hyundai Kona depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Kona loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $3,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Kona ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Hyundai Kona to insure?
A Hyundai Kona costs about $1,356 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 6% below the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (94, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the Kona's HLDI loss index. See Hyundai insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Hyundai Kona safe?
The Hyundai Kona earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall safety — real government crash-test data. Ratings by year:
| Year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Kona | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2025 Kona | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2024 Kona | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2023 Kona | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2022 Kona | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2021 Kona | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2020 Kona | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2019 Kona | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested model years.
Want the safest pick? Compare crash-test scores across the safest cars and SUVs.
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How many miles does a Hyundai Kona last?
A well-maintained Hyundai Kona typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your Hyundai Kona’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Kona’s VIN free →All Hyundai Kona model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Hyundai Kona — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Kona | 2 recalls | ★★★★☆ | |
| 2025 Kona | 3 recalls | ★★★★☆ | |
| 2024 Kona | 3 recalls | ★★★★☆ | |
| 2023 Kona | 4 recalls | ★★★★★ | |
| 2022 Kona | 4 recalls | ★★★★★ | |
| 2021 Kona | 3 recalls | ★★★★★ | |
| 2020 Kona | 3 recalls | ★★★★★ | |
| 2019 Kona | 3 recalls | ★★★★★ | |
| 2018 Kona | 2 recalls | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Kona?
By owner-complaint volume, 2019, 2020, 2021 drew the most reports. 2026, 2025, 2024 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Kona have?
27 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2018–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Hyundai recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Kona get?
Up to 120 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
Is the Kona safe?
The Kona earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall crash-test safety; ratings vary by model year.
How many miles does a Kona last?
A well-maintained Kona typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Kona reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Kona is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Hyundai Kona warranty?
New Hyundai models carry a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 10 years / 100,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Hyundai dealer.
Where is the Hyundai Kona made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Kona's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Hyundai may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Kona have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.