The most-reported Kona run is KM8K6CAB2NU (2022 builds) with 8 complaints, 4.4× the typical run. Engine problems make up 43% of reports; 2019 is the worst model year at 2.4 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for Kona model years 2019–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Hyundai Kona has 435 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 4% of every Kona complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KM8K6CAB2NU•••••• | 2022 | — | — | |
| KM8K1CAA4KU•••••• | 2019 | — | 1 | |
| KM8K1CAA8KU•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| KM8K22AA8LU•••••• | 2020 | 1 | — | |
| KM8K6CAA5JU•••••• | 2018 | 4 | 5 | |
| KM8K12AA2KU•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| KM8K12AAXKU•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| KM8K1CAA6KU•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| KM8K12AA6KU•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| KM8K2CAA6LU•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| KM8K5CA56KU•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| KM8K12AA5KU•••••• | 2019 | 1 | 1 |
Each of the other 423 Kona runs has 5 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 139 Kona VINs so far, most often 2021, 2025, 2024 builds; 2 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Hyundai Kona the gap between build years is 1.5×: a 2019 car draws 2.4 complaints per run, a 2018 one 1.6.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2025 | 28 | 22 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 48 | 33 | 5 | |
| 2023 | 65 | 44 | 4 | |
| 2022 | 99 | 53 | 3 | |
| 2021 | 118 | 71 | 2 | |
| 2020 | 160 | 80 | 8 | |
| 2019 | 189 | 78 | 11 | |
| 2018 | 74 | 47 | 9 |
Heaviest year here is 2019 at 2.4 complaints per run; lightest is 2026 at 1.1. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 43% of everything Hyundai Kona owners report: Engine, 408 of 789 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5 | 13 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 10 | 6 | |
| Electrical System | 6 | 5 | |
| Power Train | — | 2 | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 8 | 2 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 10 | — | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 9 recall campaigns on the Hyundai Kona; the 6 below cover build years 2019 to 2026. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 26V452000 | Seat Belts: Rear/other:buckle Assembly | 2024–2026 |
| 21V301000 | Engine | 2019–2021 |
| 26V047000 | Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel | 2026 |
| 26V069000 | Steering:linkages:knuckle:spindle:arm | 2026 |
| 23V650000 | Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor | 2024 |
| 23V901000 | Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables | 2024 |
26V452000 was opened in 2026 on cars built from 2024: 2 years on the road before the recall.
The Kona against its rivals
The Kona draws 1.8 complaints per production run; the Jeep Wrangler 4.7, the Ford Escape 8.9 and the Subaru Crosstrek 1.8. That is the lowest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Kona | 789 | 435 | 5.7% | |
| Jeep Wrangler | 14,316 | 3,055 | 3.2% | |
| Ford Escape | 25,954 | 2,909 | 2.7% | |
| Subaru Crosstrek | 1,130 | 637 | 5.1% |
How serious were they
Of the 789 reports on the Hyundai Kona, 5.7% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Hyundai Kona | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 789 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 45 (5.7%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 20 (2.5%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 48 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Hyundai Kona share of that is 789 complaints over 435 runs, 0.07% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Hyundai Kona VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 789 NHTSA complaints from 435 Kona runs and 9 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Kona production run has the most complaints?
KM8K6CAB2NU, a 2022 build, with 8 complaints. The typical Kona run has 1.8.
Which Kona years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2019 is heaviest at 2.4 complaints per run and 2026 lightest at 1.1.
Does the Kona get more complaints than the Jeep Wrangler?
No: 1.8 complaints per production run for the Kona against 4.7 for the Jeep Wrangler.
How many Kona complaints involve a crash?
5.7% of 789 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 20 involved a fire.
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