Hyundai Kona adaptive cruise problems

Filed Sep 3, 2026 · Driver assistance · IN

This mainly concerns the forward collision detection sensor, if that’s even what it’s actually called. My vehicle is available for testing and inspection. I was driving on an interstate, with my adaptive cruise control set to 75 mph. I was in the left of 3 lanes when got to a curve that went to the right. As I came to the beginning of the curve, all of a sudden my dash is warning me of a forward collision and the car started braking hard on its own. There is a metal guardrail that separates the 2 sides of the interstate and cars are also coming from the other direction. There wasn’t anyone behind me, thank goodness. If there had been, I can’t say for sure what would have happened, but it would not have been good. It took a hot minute for me to figure out what it was doing so I could stop it and get back up to speed. It scared me when it happened. When I go the same way without my cruise control on, it doesn’t happen. That’s how I know it has something to do with how it’s all connected. This has happened twice at 2 different places since I got the car in May of 2024. I don’t use my cruise control hardly at all now because I’m scared it’s going to suddenly brake again. I wasn’t sure what could be done about it. I put the info on the Hyundai owner surveys but nothing ever happened. I found the federal safety agency completely by accident. I want someone to inspect it and try to recreate it, but it’s an awfully dangerous thing to try. Nobody has yet. It’s not like it’s a noise or a rattle. The only thing that I would consider a warning was the crash detection warning on the dash screen that flashes red. That started right about the time that the brakes were activated.

Filed Aug 27, 2026 · PA

Consider taking a coffee break distracts driver. This issue warrants immediate consideration for a recall. Anytime I drive, this warning keeps going off shortly after going on a windy or pothole filled road (all of PA). Despite driving safely and normally, the problem persists. This occurs regardless of the time of day, weather conditions, or whether I am sitting upright or reclining. The warning randomly activates and deactivates, sometimes without any intervention. Occasionally, I simply allow the warning to sound without taking any action, and it remains active for a few seconds or until it triggers a warning that the system will be turned off, at which point it deactivates. I have attempted various troubleshooting methods, such as keeping my eyes open, adjusting my seating position, wearing and removing my glasses, and tilting them to minimize glare. None of these methods have proven effective in preventing the warning from activating or in making it deactivate. This is a persistent problem. Hyundai dealerships initially informed me that the warning might be an annoyance and their response was to simply refrain from using it. However, if a basic feature like cruise control in a 2024 & 2025 model is rendered unusable due to a design flaw (which this certainly is), it constitutes a clear violation of safety standards and should be addressed through a recall. The incessant alerts are highly disruptive and can be quite frustrating. For instance, driving with an arm in the 12 o’clock position triggers a warning, while wearing polarized sunglasses also results in an alert. The presence of a setting to disable the warning is a welcome feature, but the system’s persistent alerts can be overwhelming. The alerts continue even after taking a break. It is distracting and a safety hazard. Drivers should be able to adjust the sensitivity of the feature or turn it off all together.

Filed Feb 16, 2026 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · MO

While the cruise is set, traveling on I44 with no other car in front of my Kona, the adaptive cruise control will start to flash and apply brakes immediately. The speed will drop instantly. Thankfully no other vehicle has been behind me, otherwise it would have caused a massive wreck. I have taken the Kona to the shop 5 to 6 times for this situation, but they will not do anything since they can not duplicate it. I took a video recording of it happening, and they still would not do anything. The first incident was December 31, 2024. This happens every other week when I travel out of town for my daughter parenting time with her dad.

Filed Sep 22, 2025 · Acceleration · IN

The cruise control operation is unusual and the speed can vary greatly while it's engaged in moderately hilly terrain (not extreme) on the interstate ([XXX] through Kentucky and Tennessee). With the cruise set at interstate speeds and starting to climb a hill, the speed can drop by as much as 6mph below set point as the cruise control very, very slowly starts to increase throttle to compensate for the grade. Eventually it will stop the deceleration at that up to 6mph speed below the set point, before slowly starting to accelerate back up to the set point. One instance I timed was 22 seconds between the speed first falling below the set point, down to 6mph below, before recovering back to the set point. Sometimes it overshoots the set point by 2mph, meaning it could cause you to exceed the speed limit and/or your intended driving speed if the uphill is long enough for the speed to fully recover itself. It is not an issue with vehicle power available as I can easily maintain an exact speed through the same hills using the throttle manually without cruise control, it is only an issue with how the cruise control is programmed or executed. An 8mph variance with cruise control on the interstate in non-extreme terrain is a safety concern because it makes the vehicle unpredictable by other drivers who are trying to time their maneuvers around trucks and other vehicles and when my car suddenly slows significantly next to them they have to suddenly change or abort their maneuvers. It has not been reviewed or inspected by anyone else. It is a rental vehicle and not available for inspection by request from me, but may be from the owner. There were no warning lights or any other indication there was a problem recognized by the vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 12, 2024 · Engine · TX

On 10/4/2024 I was driving my 2022 Hyundai Kona SEL (61, 492 miles on odometer) with a cruise control set at 75 mph for my morning commute into work. I was approx 15 miles away from my house and at least 7 miles away from my place of employement. Suddenly and without warning the engine revved to beyond 4500 RPM and shut off. The lights on the dashboard all lit up and a message flashed on the screen stating engine cut off, turn off car and restart. I was surrounded by several cars at this time. I was able to navigate to the shoulder of the 2 lane road I was on and bring the car to a stop. When I tried to turn the car back on it would not. I had the car towed to the dealership. First they had to replace the battery as they stated there was not even enough juice in the battery to update the onboard computer for diagnostic. Then, after a week of waiting, I called and was informed that the engine was deak (advisor used the phrase "the engine when clunck"). As of today, 11/12/2024, I do not have a full diagnosis for the engine failure as the dealership has yet to inform me even though I have submitted multiple requests through various means. Service advisors states that the engine will be covered under the CPO warranty. At the time of the incident, the engine had not given any indications of any issues (like noices, stalls, etc). My sister had driven the car two days before and said it was driving fine. I had had the oil changed a week before and the tech did an inspection at that time and all parts were in working/good condition.

Filed Oct 23, 2024 · Engine · IN

Vehicle was traveling down the highway with cruise control on and suddenly proceeded to not maintain speed and lost the ability to accelerate and shake in the middle of the interstate. Check engine light came on after this and we were able to limp it off the highway onto the ramp. No warning lights, no over heating, or any signs were given prior to this incident to give the impression this vehicle would stop operating. My family's safety was put at risk as it lost speed suddenly on the interstate in the middle of traffic and could have caused other cars to hit us as we slowed and tried to get over to access the ramp. Vehicle was towed and inspected at a local mechanic and was informed there was oil burned on the spark plugs and cylinder 1 and 3 had little to no compression.

Filed Nov 13, 2023 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · SC

While driving on the highway on an extended trip my cruise control dropped its speed from 71 to 65 without warning. On one occasion it happened while I was in the passing lane with a lot of traffic behind me. It created a very dangerous situation before I could get into the right lane. Another incident was when again I was driving along, no one in front of me, beside me or behind me and the speed dropped once again. Had I been in traffic who knows what would have happened. I have turned the automatic breaking system off because while on a trip I was in the right lane when a car cut me off. The breaks went on and the car went totally out of control! I have filed a complaint with Hyundai and after waiting 8 weeks for a call regarding my case number they refuse to acknowledge that it is a manufacturing issue. I have had the vehicle into the dealer 3 times and they have not been able to replicate it by driving around the area, but have not taken it out on the highway at a higher speed which is when it occurs and when one would use the cruise control. I have only 9,000 miles on the car at this point and no remedy in sight.

Filed Aug 21, 2023 · Driver assistance · NC

UNKNOWN I was backing out of a parking space using the back up camera when I bumped a vehicle behind me. Also, when driving on the highway, the cruise control doesn't always respond properly I just want to know if my car has the latest safety updates available for insurance purposes

Filed Apr 20, 2023 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · SD

The cruise control on this 2023 Kona has not worked since the day I purchased it. When the cruise control is engaged it will suddenly decelerate, but the cruise still appears engaged. It sometimes then suddenly reaccelerates. This causes traffic to suddenly back up behind me, and also to be in danger in front of me when it reaccelerates rapidly. I informed the dealer immediately of the issue. They advised there was a 2022 in their shop for the exact same issue at 8,000 miles. They asked me to bring mine in, which I have done now three times. That shop now has 4 Konas with the exact same issue, yet they do not have a fix. The Hyundai forum boards are full of this same complaint. I have contacted Hyundai Corporate. They also don’t have a solution, but won’t take back my new vehicle. I have less than 1,000 miles on this Kona - most of that from driving one hour to/from the dealer 3 times. I have been understanding and professional in my dealings with them however, I have run out of patience. I did not get what I paid for and am being asked to put myself/my family in danger driving this vehicle back and forth to this dealer who doesn’t even have a fix.

Filed Jan 24, 2023 · Acceleration · CO

The adaptive cruise control does not engage in a timely fashion when activated. The speed reduces 8-12 mph before it kicks in. Speed always decreases 5 to. 21 mph on every hill. This inconsistency causes traffic to bunch around me. The dealership says nothing can be done to fix the problem. This problem is so frustrating and dangerous that I no longer use the feature.