Equipment Problems of Hyundai Kona - part 1

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.

See all problems of the 2023 Hyundai Kona 🔎.

Hyundai needs to eliminate the “consider taking a coffee break “ alert! its completely distracting, comes in way too frequently, and is loud.

Was driving when the car seemed to lose power and would not accelerate and started shaking. Check engine light came on and got it read, the code indicated a misfire and other errors. There was no one local to fix it as we were out of town. So we replaced the plugs that were indicated and noticed how badly damaged they were. Vehicle started to drive better before stalling out again and replacing the rest of the plugs. Was able to get it home and seemed to be driving normally but then we noticed it has an oil leak now. We have to keep a religious check on the oil because of the amount leaking and the fact the car isn't giving us a low oil warning. We took it to the dealership and they said we needed a new engine and it was just outside the power train warranty. All of this occurred our 78,000-80,000 mile mark. The dealer would not even change the oil before of how bad the leak was. This car was for our teenage daughter and its not safe for anyone to drive. I believe the dealership knew this car had issues, we bought it pre-owned and have only had it 6 months.

See all problems of the 2021 Hyundai Kona 🔎.

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).

Attempted to sound horn when driver ahead of me crossed lanes at roundabout. Horn did not work. No warning messages appear on dashboard indicating an issue. Inspected the horn fuse in engine compartment and found it to be functional. Vehicle has not yet been taken for repair.

See all problems of the 2019 Hyundai Kona 🔎.

The car was burning through oil every 14 -21days. Car has been jerking and taking a while to accelerate. Went to machine to see what’s going he suggested I go to the dealership because there’s no leaks visible. But added more oil so I wouldn’t go without oil there was nothing available for me to come in right away and before my appointment my car started to speed up out of nowhere then completely slowed down then jerked until I could find a safe space to pull over. Check engine came on and the code was reading a misfire. Got a tune up still reading as a misfire now just stuck at the dealership playing guessing games with what’s wrong with the vehicle.

See all problems of the 2018 Hyundai Kona 🔎.

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.

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.

See all problems of the 2022 Hyundai Kona 🔎.

The rear left passenger will not open. The dealer thinks it is a faulty door latch actuator ($530 parts and labor). They said this is a common problem and they have a special tool to open the door, but they couldn't get it to work on my car. They think they will damage the interior door panel trying to fix this (approximately an additional $1,000). Warranty expired last year. This is a safety issue because in an emergency a passenger could be trapped in the vehicle or at best delayed in their escape. Also, the dealer said it is a common problem and online forums confirm that across several models and years. Also, it seems to be common for multiple doors to fail.

Safety system that automatically puts the car in park if a door is opened while in gear failed to apply.

I have gotten a oil change over a month ago and my car is still running low on oil. Sometimes my car would shut off while I’m driving on the road with cars behind me. I have gotten my car oil topped off three different times since getting my oil change. It also makes a fan like noise as well. There’s no leak at all. It’s very bizarre.

The component that failed was the connecting engine rod bearing. The engine is currently in the vehicle located at a Hyundai dealership. The connecting engine rod bearing failure came after 1 or 2 engine miss-fires. The vehicle suffered poor performance, I was unable to start the car and properly accelerate the vehicle. The vehicle has exhibited poor acceleration/ jerk acceleration since purchase. However, this incident occurred immediately during initial startup in a parked position. The vehicle rode roughly upon initial observance of this engine miss fire which led us to deem the engine and car unsafe to use. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent service center where they identified the engine missfire code. The vehicle was then towed to our frequently used independent servicer where they said the problem related to low compression in the engine possibly something internal in the engine. Next we towed the vehicle to our preferred Hyundai dealership. Hyundai confirmed the engine missfires and connecting rod bearing failure. A claim is in process with Hyundai to assess the vehicle further. The check engine light came on when the engine miss-fired initially. An earlier check engine light came on for a missfire earlier in the 2025 and earlier in 2022 and in 2023 which led to a catalytic converter replacement. While not certain, we think that low compression and poor engine performance has plagued the vehicle since purchase. The vehicle drive jerky(poor/delayed acceleration when pressing the gas) and had early catalytic converter issues prior to 50k miles.

I’ve been having issues that align with the safety recall 239 to repair a condition involving the ?electric power control unit ("epcu")?. I seem to be having by a coolant leak, my car is overheating, has stalled and has struggled to start. I started noticing something wasn’t right a couple of weeks ago but wasn’t sure what until more “symptoms” have occurred since and I found the recall information. My air conditioner also will stop blowing cool air when the over heating happens. No lights have come on my dash board alerting me of anything needing to be serviced.

Car keeps stalling no matter what speed you're driving. Took the car to ntb and they said nothing is wrong with it. It continues to happen even in busy highways where someone almost ran into the back of me. Not safe to drive. Concerned as numerous forums suggest this is a problem with 2019-2021 Hyundai Konas.

See all problems of the 2020 Hyundai Kona 🔎.

The dct(dual clutch transmission) has always been an issue since I purchased the vehicle. Anytime I would be going at a slow pace in a drive-thru or traffic on the freeway the car would jolt and shake. I brought my car to a Hyundai dealership in 2021 at 36,000 miles and was told this was normal with the transmissions provided by Hyundai and there was no need to worry. Now, at 72,000 miles I was driving down CA-60 when my car transmission died. The car would not go when I was giving it gas and would make a whirring noise when trying to accelerate across the freeway until I could pull off to the shoulder. It was extremely dangerous and I could've been hit by someone especially a semi-truck as it was sudden and I was in the left hand lane. I've been bringing it to an independent mechanic for years and he always told me to wait until there's a recall as it's a faulty transmission however there has not been a recall for my car yet. The car is now in possession of a Hyundai dealership however I was told since my warranty has passed they are not claiming any responsibility but that their transmission is faulty. There was no warning lamps or messages in the car just the issue of jolting while at slow paces prior to the transmission dying.

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.

See all problems of the 2025 Hyundai Kona 🔎.

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.

While slowing down from highway speed during hot weather, the front passenger door suddenly became unlatched and partially opened. A warning alert sounded, and I had to pull the door closed. There were no prior warnings or symptoms, and the dealer has not been able to reproduce the issue.

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.

The air conditioning system has a drain for condensation. If it gets plugged up, from debris, algae, etc. , it accumulates and sprays it into the passenger cabin. In my auto it sprays considerable water onto the floor boards of both the driver side and passenger side. I encountered such spraying onto my right foot making it slip off the accelerator pad while turning left. While turning right it sprays onto the passenger side. This is an actual spray of water. The dealer reports this is an owner maintenance item. This is not addressed in owner manuals. A search of google issues shows this to be a very big issue. To issues exists. Water onto the accelerator and the brake pedal are safety issues. Wet carpeting causes mold. It is a very bad design.

I was driving on the highway around 70 to 75 mph and suddenly the sunroof exploded. No debris impact. Just suddenly and randomly the glass just exploded and shattered.

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!.

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.

The hvac drainage system in my 2021 Hyundai Kona failed due to a clogged ac drain line, which led to water leaking into the cabin and mold growth. The dealer reported the drain was blocked by a spiderweb and that moisture had collected under the driver and passenger carpets. They unclogged the line, but did not inspect beneath the carpet or inside the hvac system. Soon after, I experienced musty odors, asthma flare-ups, and headaches while driving. At-home mold tests under the passenger seat and footwell came back positive. White mold was also visibly growing under the carpet. A similar issue occurred in my fiancé’s Hyundai elantra, also purchased from the same dealer. His ac drain was clogged and mold tested positive in the cabin, though his car had no smell. Our vehicles are stored in different environments, which rules out external environmental causes and points to a broader design flaw. There are Hyundai forums online confirming this same issue is not isolated to us. Even if spiderwebs were involved, a single web should not disable a critical drainage function and cause health risks. Hvac systems should be designed to resist common environmental factors like debris or insects. I am a cancer survivor (diagnosed in 2024) and must avoid environmental toxins like mold. Despite repeated outreach to Hyundai and the dealer, I was told no inspection or remediation would be provided beyond detailing, which is not sufficient for mold. Component that failed: ac evaporator drain tube confirmed by dealer: yes manufacturer inspection: no – Hyundai declined to investigate safety concern: yes – mold has triggered respiratory symptoms and makes the vehicle unsafe for passengers.

Manufacturing defect . . . Took it in 4 times for "refill inverter coolant" warning . They had a campaign ' tried by couldn't get the light to go away . It was their first time ever performing this on an ev at kerry Hyundai alexandria . Now td ev in mason ohio is confirming my inverter failed as a direct result of the poor flushes and poor manufacturing. I am seeking for Hyundai to cover all related costs. I haven't had my vehicle for over a month . It's out of warranty 'however this was a known issue they issued a campaign for 'and then couldn't fix the issue after 4 or 5 tries and 2 different hyundia dealers . All work performed will be listed at kerry hounding in alexandria ky and jefferson wyler Hyundai cincinnati ohio.

My wife was pulling into a parking place at home depot when the car suddenly accelerated, jumped the curb & hit a tree on the sidewalk. It did significant damage to the front bumper of the car but the airbags did not deploy & my wife was not hurt. I am guessing that it will be several thousand dollars to repair.

The horn is not working. On forums for this specific car it is a common problem for this make and model. This means I cannot alert other cars or pedestrians.

Significant mechanical and drivetrain problems: ? loss of drive power and sluggish acceleration: reported as early as November 7, 2024 ("bumpy driving, grinding and clanking noise"), with issues worsening by January 2, 2025 ("slower acceleration, bumpier ride, metal clinking and cracking sounds"), and most severely on June 6, 2025 ("car shifts hard to the left then goes back and forth (wobble)," "greatly reduced" power, and "snapping" noises). You've had at least five repair attempts for these issues. ? vehicle shaking/wobbling: this has been a recurring complaint since November 18, 2024 ("car shakes when accelerating") and continued through multiple visits, including may 21-27, 2025 ("wobbly feeling"), June 6, 2025 (shifts "back and forth (wobble)"), and July 16, 2025 ("bounces excessively"). ? loose steering/difficulty turning: you've reported "difficulty turning" and "resistance when turning left," with a feeling of "less control" or "lack of control" while turning. This was noted on November 18, 2024, and persisted through April 14, 2025, and July 16, 2025. ? noises from underneath the vehicle: complaints include "grinding and clanking noise" (November 7, 2024), "loud noises" (November 18, 2024), and "metal clinking and cracking sounds" (January 2, 2025), and "snapping" noises (June 6, 2025). • electrical/infotainment system malfunctions: ? interior and exterior lights turning off while driving: on January 2, 2025, all interior and exterior lights turned off for approximately 3 seconds while driving. ? bluelink service and infotainment system disconnects/shutdowns: ongoing issues with bluelink service, including loss of connectivity and interruptions. • numerous repair attempts and days out of service: ?at least eight separate service visits for these issue.

There has been a continuous popping noise on the right side of the vehicle near the tire like it’s an axle or something with the suspension. It has been checked and I was told it was normal. The horn will stop working along with the radio and other components in the car. The forward front accident component will say I’ve been in an accident when I have not even been near a vehicle. This has happened on several occasions. I don’t have all specific dates.

The horn stopped working. I have owned several cars and never had a horn malfunction. This is an important safety feature and is mandated, like airbags. They should work.

I am reporting a recurring safety issue involving engine stalling in active traffic due to excessive oil loss and internal component failure. This has occurred three times within approximately 12,000 miles and has created dangerous conditions for my family, including my 2. 5 year old child who rides in the vehicle. Summary of incidents: • may 15, 2025 – 61,736 miles: vehicle stalled in traffic and lost acceleration. Dealership confirmed abnormal noise and low oil, but no oil consumption test was ordered. • fall 2025 – 66,448 miles: vehicle stalled and died on the highway. Diagnosis showed broken camshaft timing components. Service invoice states the engine oil system was too low and caused internal failures. Major timing components replaced. • October 30, 2025 – 69,175 miles: vehicle stalled in traffic again. Oil was low after only 2,727 miles since previous repair. Dealer advised oil consumption test after another 1,000 miles, but I do not feel the vehicle is safe to drive due to repeated stalling and internal failures. At the most recent incident the dealership confirmed the oil level was again low, but did not identify the cause or perform consumption testing until after repeated failures. These repeated stall events are serious safety hazards and could result in a collision or injury. I have lost confidence in the safety of the vehicle. Based on consultation with an experienced engine mechanic, underlying internal damage from oil starvation is likely and may indicate piston ring or engine defect consistent with known Hyundai/kia oil consumption issues. Hyundai has declined to provide a buyback or full repair solution and the vehicle continues to demonstrate dangerous conditions. We have purchased a full warranty for the engine but warranty company will not cover it as they are saying this is a pistons issue - wear and tear. I am requesting NHTSA investigation and assistance to ensure this defect is addressed before someone is injured.

Message: "check/refill coolant light has intermittently come on for past two days. I checked coolant and it is lower than "max" but higher than "min". Also, why is this website saying 0 unaddressed recalls on my car? there are recalls that were not done on my car. Message: "0 unrepaired recalls associated with this VIN".

The window on the drivers, passenger side. Yes it could be inspected. Fingers caught in the area where the window goes into the door at the bottom, 2 and a half year old child in car seat next to window. This is the first time it happened. She does not ride in the car often. I have not contacted the dealership yet. No others have been contacted yet. The window went down and the child was screaming with her fingers caught. Unknown.

See all problems of the 2024 Hyundai Kona 🔎.

On 3. 22. 2025 the rear view camera did not display; either a black screen with text "check surroundings for your safety," a green screen reading "no camera signa received. Please try again later," or distorted images appeared. Camera was replaced under warranty on 4. 14. 2025; I learned from crossroads Hyundai that other vehicles had a recall in effect. Images and work order are included.