Table 1 shows one common equipment related problems of the 2023 Hyundai Kona.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Equipment problems |
My horn is not working again. It was replaced when I initially got the Kona in 2023. It did not work coming out of the dealership. And now again it is back to not working. This is a liability and also a danger to my children.
Dear Hyundai motor America consumer affairs, I am formally escalating a safety defect involving my 2023 Hyundai Kona, VIN [xxx] , purchased [xxx]. Since the purchase, the vehicle’s horn has repeatedly failed. I have brought the car in for service multiple times, and the issue is thoroughly documented in service records and email correspondence. Despite these efforts, the defect has not been permanently resolved. A non-functioning horn is a serious safety issue. This defect is not isolated; identical horn failures in Hyundai Kona vehicles are widely documented across public internet forums, consumer complaint sites, and owner reports, further underscoring the seriousness of this issue. Given the repeated repair attempts and ongoing safety risk, I am requesting immediate corporate-level review and a clear, permanent resolution. This matter requires prompt attention. [xxx] , service manager, informed me today that my horn was changed/serviced 4 times already. As of today, 2-10-2-26 he is ordering me another horn. Please respond in writing with next steps. Sincerely, [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
Liftgate was clicking leaving interior lights on drained battery- had to buy new battery! now liftgate wil not open at all.
I brought vehicle in once for horn not working to dealer. They fixed it. Seven months later in a near traffic incident horn not working. Outside temperatures were below freezing at the time. Following week outside temperatures goes above freezing & horn is working again. It appears horn has an intermittent problem.
Safety system that automatically puts the car in park if a door is opened while in gear failed to apply.
The issue is the horn. On three different occasions, I've attempted to use the horn and it wasn't working. I've taken it to hallmark Hyundai in flowood and they've repaired and/or replaced the horn on four separate occasions. The new horn is always working when I leave the dealership, but it eventually goes out. Or it goes out for a period of time and then comes back without explanation. My most recent horn outage happened while I was driving on I-55 in jackson ms and an 18 wheeler started shifting in my lane. I wasn't able to notify them with my horn and ended up having to drive on the shoulder to avoid a collision. This is a major safety issue and they haven't taken the time to remedy it.
I was trapped inside the liftgate of my 2023 Hyundai Kona and was unable to operate the emergency release. I had the key fob with me and the car was unlocked, but the trunk would not open from the inside. I tried sliding a standard key and a flat card into the release, but it would not engage. It was not specified that the mechanical key inside the Hyundai fob was required. The release is a small black sliding latch at the bottom of the liftgate with only a car symbol. It is recessed, not easily visible in low light, and does not glow in the dark. I also could not climb over the rear seats because the liftgate hood was sealed, so the fire department had to open the trunk to get me out. Even the operator and the fire department found the instructions difficult to determine. While this may be a rare circumstance, it could have been dangerous. I was able to get out safely, but it would be helpful if the emergency release were redesigned with clearer instructions or made more visible, such as using neon or glow in the dark markings, so that in the future it can be accessed more easily by anyone inside.
Rear latch unlocks while vehicle is running or not running up to 30 times at once. Rear latch unlocks without key being in vehicle. This has been reported to Hyundai motor America since August 2025. The front collision warning goes off at random times, left side departure goes off at random times.
Horn does not work.
The horn on my vehicle stopped working. I have no idea when it stopped working but when I tried to use it after a vehicle went throw a stop sign I realized it wasn’t working. Talked to my dealership and they said ‘it’s a known problem with the horn. ’.
The horn has quit working - and had to be replaced - on three different occasions. I've owned the car less than two years. This has led to me being unable to warn traffic and almost caused multiple collisions.
The horn has failed; will not produce sound. The fuse has tested good for continuity. Many online threads offering the same horn failure from Hyundai but no recall, at this point. This is in direct violation of florida statute 316. 27. . . Horns and warning devices. I have a dealer appointment made.
Horn stopped working out of nowhere.
Hyundai is making it very difficult to get the safety recall fixed, roadblocks in every step, the worst customer service, just delaying at every little step, unbelievable, took several months to find a fix, then several weeks to get an appointment, only to find that they will order the part, several more weeks go by, then I need start the apppointment process again and wait for 4 more weeks. . Got to be kidding.
Horn is not working. When the horn is pressed from the driver's seat, no noise is made. Checked fuse in engine fuse box compartment. 15a fuse is ok (not blown, etc). Checked with spare 15a and that did not work either. Reported problem to dealership and they plan to investigate and repair. Google search indicated this is not the first Hyundai Kona to have this issue. This should be more looked into by regulatory boards.
The rear door latch opens while vehicle is moving and I've have taken it to service and they don't know what failure is al about. Its a manufacture failure.
Horn no longer works when pressed at 11,396 miles. Manufacturer will not offer loaner vehicle. Vehicle is not safe to drive without horn. Manufacturer does not seem to care that it's broken and will not expedite the repair process. I will have to drive this vehicle for approximately a month with no horn. My safety is put at risk as I cannot warn other drivers of impending danger and cannot warn other drivers they are about to hit me. The manufacturer has not yet inspected the vehicle. The inspection will take place on August 21st. There were no warning indications before I attempted to use the horn and it didn't work. It's possible that the horn has been broken for a while.