Electrical System Problems of Hyundai Kona - part 1

I have a 2025 Hyundai Kona limited. On [xxx], around the afternoon on sunnyvale, California, while exiting [xxx] headed to lake tahoe, the liftgate bolt that attaches to the body had buckled mechanically as the system did not back away when a flashlight that came out of a travel bag was blocking the way to have it closed. The car computer thinks the liftgate is open even though the lock is secured. The car computer allows to drive without seatbelts secured or closures ajar for a few seconds at low speed but then it automatically with little warning engages the electronic handbrake while driving. I was driving on a highway in a middle lane when the car engaged without my consent the electronic handbrake locking the wheels and I almost got rear ended and killed by a semitruck. I had to floor the gas pedal and steer to a shoulder to request a tow. Since it was a long weekend before presidents day, I had the car taken to the nearest dealer in modesto California. Their service department invented a lie that due to a side crash, which was a failure of the collision mitigation system that happened months ago, is the cause and that it is my fault even though the driver admitted responsibility but it is an unrelated issue. There should be a way of overriding the car computer so it does not engage the electronic hand brake on the middle of the highway, specially at night as this creates a road hazard that can lead to death. I replicate the issue with a rental, a Hyundai tucson, they use the same gas strut and bolt that in my opinion has a very narrow gage. As you can see in the picture, the passenger side bolt is fine, the driver side is buckled. The side accident that happened on may 2025 was on the passenger side but the liftgate is fine; at any rate both sides should be deformed not just one if that were to be the case but it is not. Dealer and Hyundai attempting to sideline the issue to avoid a warranty and recall in my opinion. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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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).

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While stopped our 2019 Kona ev at a traffic light with my foot on the brake, the car spontaneously accelerated and crashed into the car also sitting at the light about eight feet in front of us. If there wasn't a car in front of us, we would have gone through a busy intersection at very high speed. The front end of the car was destroyed and both airbags deployed. The car was towed to a collision center and is considered: "totaled" . We tried to get it inspected for the computer system to confirm what happened, but there was no interest by any party. There was no pre-warning or issues with the vehicle before this happened. The incident happened about ten miles from our house, and we had been driving it for about 15 minutes. The temperature outside was extremely cold at about 5 degrees fahrenheit.

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Many times a year, without warning, vehicle dash lights turn off and light up like a christmas tree, followed by fca warning sound and lights going off, and a loud mechanical thud. Lose engine throttle going highway speeds. This can occur at nearly any speed without warning. Car must be powered off and back on to get normalcy. This puts me, everyone in the car and everyone on the highway at risk. Dealership was not able to reproduce or pull error codes.

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About 2 weeks ago I tried to start my car and the dash board starting flickering and glitch. Roadside assistance said all I needed was a battery. I got a battery and everything seemed fine until today. My car is starting to do the same thing. When I looked up recalls my VIN doesnt match for a recall I think my car should be under. The battery charge sysytem is failing I believe. I have videos.

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December 2025: yet another horn failure. Pressed the vehicle's horn to alert another driver that they were drifting into my lane on the highway, and it failed to produce the loud sound that it is supposed to make. It needed to be replaced again for the fourth time. Part 96611-j9500 was replaced—again. This is a continued safety issue that Hyundai has neglected to address and fix. Spontaneous horn failure is a hazard. The horn is there to warn others of possible danger.

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The headlights in this model Kona keep burning out after 9 months or so. I have replaced them multiple times in the last 5 years on both left and right sides. I use glove to put in the bulbs and are very careful not to let my hands touch the bulb. I have never had this happen with any other car I have owned. I suspect an electrical system issue, or perhaps wiring, but that is speculation. I have not had this inspected by the dealership. The latest date of failure is listed below.

Over the last 2 1/2 months the car has shut off approximately 5 times while driving, without warning. Most instances have been while pulling into a parking lot, but one time (so far) it shut off while trying to back into my driveway. I'm fearful it will happen while on the freeway. I took it to the dealer, but there wasn't a fault code so they refused to look at it unless I left the car with them to drive, and wanted to charge me $45/day for a rental so I could get back & forth to work until it happened again while they were driving it.

Hyundai has multiple complaints regarding horn malfunction in the Hyundai Kona. I went to use my horn today to prevent an accident and found my horn does not work. I have checked my fuses and relays and neither are blown leading to the horn to be unable for use.

This is second time all electrical has gone dead in the car. First time I took car in for an update and now something is still draining the battery. I have read multiple posts online of this issue. The car has less than 5000 mile on it.

I had the radiator replaced by the ourisman Hyundai laurel dealership on 10/1/25. Radiator replacement was under warranty. On 10/4/25car overheated while driving. I pulled the car over and called for a tow truck. Car was leaking lots of coolant. Brought it to service center at ourisman Hyundai laurel, they stated “the hose to the thermostat was not all the way on. Put hose on correctly no more leaking. ” on 10/15/25 multiple lights came on the dashboard including the master warning light. Took car to ourisman Hyundai laurel again; received the car back, dealership stated “ tech could not duplicate the lights popping on dashboard. Upon further diagnosis tech found that there was a connector not getting the proper contact to coil number 1 tech reconnected the connector and test drove the vehicle for 5 miles. No concerns present at this time. ” on 10/20 I brought the car in to ourisman Hyundai laurel again because electronic stability control light as well as abs warning light and several other warning lights came on multiple times. Ourisman Hyundai laurel service technician said they could not duplicate the problem and there is nothing they can do. This is a safety issue because it concerns the electronic stability control and brakes.

The embedded navigation system tends to provide directions getting the vehicle into off road areas that are not designated to be driven. This not only causes damages to the car but also leads to unsafe situations. While driving in the upper peninsula of michigan headed to the kitch-iti-kipi, it took me to tall grass and high voltage towers almost getting me to a ditch. While driving in st. Augustine beach, it almost took me to the ocean. While driving near lubbock texas around a detour due to construction, it almost took me to a cliff.

The horn on my 2022 Hyundai Kona has failed multiple times. It has been replaced twice already, and it has stopped working again at around 65,000 miles. This is a serious safety concern as I am unable to alert other drivers in emergency situations. The repeated failure of the horn suggests a possible defect in the electrical system or horn assembly. I am requesting an investigation into this issue.

Screen in the car that shows the view of the backup camera. Unable to see when backing up. It is under warranty but the service center after mulitple attempts has not been able to fix it. Yes no, it just went out. Went out back in September of 2025.

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As part of Hyundai’s driver attention warning system, it plays a loud beeping noise that disables other systems in the car (map, audio). This beeping noise plays at random times and has been heavily distracting on long drives almost causing me to crash due to issues with my hearing and the frequency of the noise. It cannot be disabled. I would be happy to present the vehicle for inspection. The dealership and manufacturer have not responded to calls or have given unsatisfactory feedback as to solutions. This alarm has gone off about three times within the past 10 minutes and I am struggling to drive long distances with it on. Any help please.

While at a light, the auto stop/start kicked on but when it was time to start driving again and I pressed the gas pedal, the car would not move. There was a long beep and then the check battery icon and an alert came on my dash board stating “auto stop is off. Shift to p or n and start engine manually. ” when I turned off the ignition and restarted the car, the alert went off but two additional icons showed up on my dash board- check engine and check oil. Then my steering wheel locked up and I could not press on the breaks or gas pedal. I could not operate my car for more than 30 minutes.

I found a lot of debris of metals contaminated in the gear reduction oil when I changed my gear reduction oil. I had a vortex oil lug nut, which it sucks all of the metal debris in. I have pictures of that as a proof. I think this is a design flaw that Hyundai should recall, but they didn’t. Now it caused a clicking noise whenever I accelerate or step on the accelerator pedal. Additionally, their are some glitches with their software where it disconnected the wireless apple car play and the back up camera didn’t show up sometimes whenever I put into reverse.

My family got in a accident on this recall of loss of power on the high way making the car crash into a wall. . . 8/16/25 3:06 pm in duval county jacksonville,FL something needs to be done about this my kids have gotten hurt.

The car loss power and shut completely off and ran into the wall with my sister and my child in there on the interstate can I please get help about this matter it could've been worse where I could've lost them forever. I don't want this to happen to nobody else they cars know about these malfunctions and still but these cars on the market for accidents to happen. Please something needs to be done about this.

While driving the instrument panel, headlights and infotainment screen all went black. Has happened multiple times but difficult to replicate. Vehicles head lights turned off while driving in the early morning (dark) but turned back on within a second or two. No warnings, no lights, no errors.

Woke up and battery was dead. Car about one year old, no warnings about battery level through bluelink or any onboard monitoring system. Dealer says dead battery is normal. Tons of issues online relating to dead batteries in new Konas.

Back up camera had not worked since purchase. It is now August been dealing with the dealership and Hyundai national with a case number and zero help to rectify this issue. It is not my fault the sales man who sold me this car left two days later. Anyone I speak to at the dealership, is not there again the next week. Even Hyundai USA are consistently unable to even get a manger to call me back. This is unacceptable. At this point any warranty is expired, this car was sold with a faulty camera.

Hyundai engages emergency parking brake epb) automatically when in parked on an incline. The epb will disengage under normal operation if all doors are closed. If doors are open, epb will not disengage. If going from park to drive, this is not a problem. However, if in drive, traveling with trunk open for oversized cargo, the vehicle will drive normally until a stop on an incline, when the epb will engage automatically, and then when the driver tries to proceed from the stop, their vehicle is disabled. The driver can provide power to drive train and burn the epb. The driver must manually intervene after every stop on an incline to disengage the epb to avoid being disabled at an intersection.

When I first brought the car for its first service appointment (6 months after purchase), I informed the service dept at the dealership that the car seemed to accelerate itself when I was driving. They said they hit a reset button and that I shouldn't have any more problems. What I found was that the car then drove sluggishly but it did not accelerate anymore. Recently however (2. 5 years into the purchase), the car started "sliding" when I hit the break pad. I took the car in again for service a few months ahead of time and they said that my car mat was wedged under the break pad and that was what was causing the car to slide when I hit the break. The car slid but also accelerated by about 5 miles, however I was able to quickly break and stop it without incident. This last service was on Friday, August 1st, and on Sunday August 3, the car slid and accelerated again - without the floor mat being wedged under the break. On Monday morning (August 4th) I called Hyundai so many times that I lost count. I was never able to speak with a service employee but I was given an appointment for a week and half later. According to chatgpt, it is a common issue with the 2022 Kona and it should be recalled.

Horn was going in and out of working for the first few months after purchase. Now the horn does not work at all. It is not the fuse. As seeing through other complaints this is a very common problem and should be on Hyundai to fix.

The horn is not working in my vehicle. I found this out today when I almost had someone collide with my vehicle while I was on the highway, not once, but twice. I was unable to use my horn to alert the other driver. I called Hyundai and they said it is not covered under warranty and this is a known issue with my vehicle. I have only had the vehicle for 3-4 months and this should not be happening. I cannot safely drive without a horn and if something happens to me or my vehicle and Hyundai knows its an ongoing issue with this year, make, and model, I am not sure what I can do. Please make this right.

I was driving at 930pm in the dark at a speed of 30 mph and the car completely shut off all power. No warning signs. Just completely lost power. No headlights or interior lights. I was able to brake and stop the car and restarted it to continue on. Lu ckily I was on neighborhood roads with street lights and little traffic. This could have been extremely dangerous on a road with no lighting and a high speed. I am now scared to let my new teen driver use this car and we bought the car for her! the car was at 47 percent battery and only has 5000 miles on it. Seems in my current research this is somewhat common for Hyundai. Please make them fix this before someone is seriously injured!.

Horn keeps failing.

The dashboard lights, hud and exterior lights all have been turning off for 4-5 seconds every 6-8 weeks for the last 14-15 months. The brake and accelerometer remain active but because of the situation it presents every time, all that can be done is stray straight and try to look for a safe lane change.

Dear customer care, I am the owner of a 2023 Hyundai Kona awd purchased brand new from vision Hyundai west henrietta, NY. I paid for the vehicle in full with a cashier's check totaling over $31,000. At just 64,000 miles, the vehicle has become undrivable-experiencing loud noises, jerking, and no acceleration. I was driving and car would not move. These symptoms are clearly drivetrain-related and should be covered under Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty . When I contacted the dealership, I was incorrectly told my roadside coverage had expired at 36,000 miles, Hyundai warranty escalation letters which contradicts Hyundai's stated policy of 5 years/unlimited mileage. Additionally, I requested a loaner vehicle due to the urgency and distance (I'm 80 miles away), but no one followed up, leaving me stranded and without any transportation options. I am requesting Hyundai's assistance:.

For the second time in 6months, the horn has stopped working. Coastal Hyundai in melbourne FL replaced the first horn on 1/14/2025. On [xxx], the horn has stopped working again. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

My horn on my car has went out the first time and now it just went out again and it’s a manufacturing issue! Hyundai refuses to fix it because it’s not under warranty anymore! and it’s so dangerous now since I don’t have a horn again! I should have not have to fix it when it’s not my fault! and other people have the same issue with your Kona’s to! the dealership even told me that’s it’s been an issue with the horns!.

Hyundia has had my car in for the same recall 4 to 5 times . 6 total weeks this time around. The ""refill inverter coolant" light kept coming back on . The last time I got it home it had more issues than when I took it in and wouldn't even catch a charge . (ev) they fried my compassitor trying to fix the inverter coolant recall . I then took had to pay 450 for a diagnostic ' (kerry Hyundai alexandria) they said electric motor is bad and will cost 8000 to 9000. Got a 2nd diagnostic (jeff wyler Hyundai cincinnati) completely different result- zero mention of motor ' said ac compasitor failed. (had no issues prior to them working on the original recall ) the light for the recall is still on by the way and they want me to pay 3500 for new ac capacitor . (600 diagnostic included in that price ) " the dealership’s failure to properly perform the inverter coolant refill recall directly caused the ac compressor failure in my 2021 Hyundai Kona ev. Before taking the vehicle in for the recall, the ac system was fully functional, delivering cold air without any issues, and the car experienced no charging problems, indicating the battery and cooling systems were operating normally. The recall, intended to flush the inverter cooling system and replace the crystallizing bsc-1 coolant with bsc-2, was not completed correctly, as evidenced by the dealership’s admission that they couldn’t fix it. This botched service likely left air or debris in the cooling system, which, in Kona evs with a heat pump, could overwork the ac compressor used for battery cooling during charging. The compressor’s failure shortly after the recall service, despite no prior issues, strongly suggests that the improper coolant flush caused undue stress on the compressor, leading to its $3,000 failure, which should be covered under warranty or as a goodwill repair due to the dealership’s error". [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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.

5 minutes into my drive my the whole dashboard (speedometer and music screen) all went black, & my headlights went out. This lasted for about 3 seconds. Not sure what happened or why but not something that should happen with such a new car.