-NEW Vehicle purchased 8/26 -All of the weatherstripping is not adhered to the vehicle, on all 4 doors This can create an issues with moisture and mold Dealer stated they replaced front door weatherstripping, but the same issue is there-it is not adhered to the vehicle and the other doors are the same Again this vehicle is brand new-it is a manufacture defect
The worst 2026 Hyundai Kona problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Acceleration2
- Body2
- Brakes2
- Electrical2
- Driver assistance1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Acceleration2
- Body2
- Brakes2
- Electrical2
- Driver assistance1
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
- Seat belts1
- Transmission1
Recalls 3
Seat belts: rear/other: buckle assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 on July 15, 2026.
Recall number 26V452000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm
- What is 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.
- 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 on February 7, 2026.
Recall number 26V069000 · Recall details
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is 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.
- 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 on January 28, 2026.
Recall number 26V047000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2026 Hyundai Kona 9
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in...
- Some Hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (PDW) sensor(s) that may trigger...
- Higher-than-expected engine oil consumption
- Higher-than-expected engine oil consumption
- The federal safety agency has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit...
- The federal safety agency has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag...
- Loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink functions
- Certain warning lights and trigger DTC C272246 fault code for the front camera
- This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the...
2026 Hyundai Kona fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 28-29 | 34-35 | 31 |
| 1.6L 4‑cyl | FWD | 26 | 31 | 28 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | AWD | 26-27 | 29 | 27-28 |
| 1.6L 4‑cyl | AWD | 25 | 28 | 26 |
What 2026 Hyundai Kona owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I have a 2026 Hyundai Kona that I’ve only had for 3 months and it has 7192 miles on it. Today I turned my vehicle on and the screen that displays my mileage, speedometer, gas level, coolant temp gauge, tire pressure monitor, and other safety features was blacked out with the words “NO SIGNAL” in red. I turned my car on and off a couple times and it still said the same thing. Eventually the dash came back on but now it’s randomly shows the dash display and then goes to a completely black screen. I contacted the dealership and have an upcoming appt however I will not be driving the car because I’m not able to gauge what speed I’m going, if I’m running out of gas, or if my car overheats. There were no previous warning signs; no warning light on the dashboard. The Hyundai app states all systems in my car are working fine. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police insurance rep, or anybody else yet.
I purchased this vehicle new on July 28, 2026. the federal safety agency Recall 26V‑452 / Hyundai Recall 306 was dated July 13, 2026, and the VIN showed the recall as incomplete when I discovered it. The dealer states that it was unaware of the recall at the time of sale. I am reporting this to document that a new vehicle was delivered to me while this safety recall was unrepaired. I intend to have the recall repair completed.
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 failure mileage was approximately 770.
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?
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.
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 company to inspect the car for any malfunctions but they won't. They deem it totaled and say I am at fault because it's my responsibility to control my car. The police arrived but they did not inspect the car either. I have contacted the dealership (Parkway Hyundai), but they are of no help either. There were not warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. However, I did notice recently that when I put my foot on the break to start the car that sometimes the break was very stiff and other times it was not. I thought it strange but thought it was just the way my car was. My insurance is Progressive. Claim # XXX INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Hyundai needs to eliminate the “CONSIDER TAKING A COFFEE BREAK “ alert! Its completely distracting, comes in way too frequently, and is loud
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 seconds. A few weeks later, it happened again, this time it stayed at around 36 mph. I pulled over and shut the car off, restarted, and no issues. This time I told my salesperson I wanted to bring it in, but they had a one-month wait and offered no help, didn't seem phased or concerned. I took the appointment for February 17, which was approximately a 4-week wait. Again, no lights or warning signals. The third time this happened I was merging on to a very busy ramp to enter a busy highway, and the speed stopped at 11 mph, and I panicked, pulled over restarted the car and that was enough for me to call and insist they take the car as soon as possible, as we were expecting a major snowstorm which did happen the next day. I did not take the car out and brought it in to the dealer on Monday. Again, they seemed unconcerned but took the car after I insisted. The car has been there for 2-weeks now and they claim they cannot find a problem. I called Hyundai corporate. After investigating, they too said there was nothing they could do since they could not find a problem. I may add that while this is happening I am stepping on the gas and nothing happens.
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 rodents chewing the organic-based fuel lines. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 900.
Compare the 2026 Hyundai Kona
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Questions about the 2026 Hyundai Kona
Is the 2026 Hyundai Kona reliable?
Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2026 Hyundai Kona, fewer than a typical Kona model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2026 Hyundai Kona?
Acceleration and speed control, with 2 complaints. Next is body (2).
How many recalls does the 2026 Hyundai Kona have?
3 recalls, covering seat belts, steering and electrical system.
What gas mileage does the 2026 Hyundai Kona get?
Official estimates for the 2026 Hyundai Kona range from 26 to 31 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 28-29 city and 34-35 highway.
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