Hyundai Kona owners have reported 8 wheel related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common wheel problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's wheel (8 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Wheel problems |
I am writing to formally escalate a serious safety concern regarding my 2021 Hyundai Kona ultimate, which was sold to me as a new vehicle in April 2021 but was equipped with tires manufactured in 2019 at the time of delivery. This issue raises significant concerns regarding product safety, quality control, and customer protection. I have already contacted Hyundai customer care and have been working with a case manager regarding this matter. During our conversation on February 23, 2026, I was informed that the issue would be investigated and that I would receive an update by February 27, 2026. As of today, I have not received any meaningful response or resolution. The absence of communication and delay in addressing a matter that directly affects the safety of my family is unacceptable. I currently reside in the boston, massachusetts area, where winter driving conditions regularly involve snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. Tires are one of the most critical safety components of a vehicle under these conditions. Installing tires that were already approximately two years old at the time the vehicle was sold as new significantly reduced the usable safe life of those tires. According to guidance provided by the tire manufacturer, tires installed on new vehicles should ideally be recently manufactured, and tire age is a key safety consideration regardless of mileage. Because the tires on my Kona were manufactured in 2019, their safe service life has effectively been shortened by several years through no fault of my own.
The plastic covers such as the wheel wells, inner fender linings, under body shield, are very prone to coming off by either minor objects intruding them or hitting them such as branches, rocks, or even water and sand. While driving on a highway at the upper peninsula in michigan on October, a large branch on the road got inside the front wheel well and it took it away. It flew into the highway as debris and cars began evading them. I had to replace it at my expense and it come off again while driving on sand on a beach in st. Augustine florida on December (the car is 4x4 off-road capable and sold as such). The underbody shield began coming off in a highway in near austin texas around a construction zone where loose gravel was present. Almost all plastic clips were missing after I was informed by a driver that plastic parts were coming off my car striking his vehicle. The wheel well of the driver side also began to come off. I had to zip-tie it; no holes were damaged but it was fully scratch and cracked in multiple locations from touching the pavement. I was hit on the side of the rear of the passenger side door and the plastic cover came off. I replaced it but it seems those plastic parts are superimposed and not well secured into the body of the car and can come off fairly easily during driving becoming road hazards that can result in a crash to vehicles driving from behind or even people or animals. I had a sonata and the same under shield came off while driving to miami on December 2024, their service department only had it cut leaving the underbody exposed.
P235/40 r19 pirelli p-zero driver and passenger front tires and rear driver. Purchased Hyundai Kona n on oct 25, 2023 new (<50miles). Vehicle sold new with these tires already installed. Pressure always maintained per recommendations. Noticed tire cracking and stability issues several months ago. Vehicle has 4000 miles on it now. Front driver and passenger tires are heavily cracked and throwing off chunks of rubber from tread. Rear driver side tire showing slight signs of cracking. Rear passenger tire seems ok. Integrity of the tires are compromised. Highly concerned about a major blowout of the tires. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My personal safety and the safety of my children are at risk from major tire blowout, loss of control of vehicle, major accident, injury and/or death. Emailed and spoke with representatives at palatine Hyundai (dealer of sale) on may 9th requesting pro-rata replacement of the defective tires. . . Never was contacted back by the dealer or any representative. Emailed with representatives of pirelli tires on may 9th requesting pro-rata replacement of defective tires. . . Was told that there was nothing they could do because the vehicle with the tires was purchased in illinois and terminated all communication with me. Called Hyundai customer assistance and opened a case with them. I was told that even though the vehicle was purchased with the tires installed by dealer, they couldn't do anything and that I should contact the tire manufacturer. I followed up with the call and added photos of the defective tires to the associated case number with Hyundai. Do my kids or I need to die in a car crash before action is taken by the dealer, tire/vehicle manufacturer, or a governmental agency? how far does this need to go?.
I recently blew out my front tire and put on the Hyundai supplied emergency spare. Within 15 minutes of driving, no more than 10 miles, I was flagged down by another driver because a huge cloud of smoke was coming from my car. I had the car towed into a dealership and they informed me that the spare tire that Hyundai supplied me damaged the transfer casing on the front tire, causing the smoke. I was told to never put that tire on the front of my car or it will again damage my car. I contacted first my local selling dealer. They were no help. They informed me that the spare tire was the correct part and I needed to contact Hyundai directly, which I did. After a week of investigation, james, from their national consumer affairs department, indicates that Hyundai has essentially washed their hands of my problem and said it is the correct part and I should use that. I said it damaged my car and the response was it is only supposed to be on long enough to get to a repair shop. My car was overheating after only 10 miles. Smoke was coming from my car after 15 minutes. What if I was on a highway when the tire blew? it could be much longer than 10 miles. Would the car catch on fire? will Hyundai take responsibility for the possibility of my car catching on fire? what about the dangers to myself and my family? Hyundai is taking no further action on this. I am to use the supplied part, damage, or no damage.
At time of purchase (new) this car did not come with a spare or jack but included a can of fix a flat and a cheep compressor. While traveling I became stranded with an un repairable flat tire and had to have someone come get me with a jack and abandon the car on the side of the road. I then purchased a spare tire kit directly from the purchase point dealer. On a second incident I discovered that the spare tire (donut) does not fit the rear wheels. It does not clear the brake calipers. Come to find out there is no other rim or tire that will fit this car thus leaving the driver with no options should a flat or bent rim happen. Hyundai's solution to this is to throw a can of fix a flat in the trunk. How can that be legal in this country. For the second time in two years.
Prt. 2continued. The tpms sensors had been replaced, which leads me to believe that at time of tire blowout did not function although the subwoofer was stolen from vehicle the wiring to the subwoofer was said to have caused the fire and remained intact and connected to back of the original stereo equipment. A new subwoofer was purchased and the same wiring used to plug into from before fire and the subwoofer/stereo/wiring all worked just fine. One would assume the wiring would be fried and not work properly, however it didn't at all. This lead to me investigating the vehicle on my own after not being covered under warranty and all responsibility left on me to fix the vehicle. The "2018 Hyundai Kona" I was sold poses numerous safety risks for every driver on the road, not just the unfortunate consumers that purchase them fornthe following reasons. The vehicle is affixed with a VIN sticker stating the manufacturer is hmc. Hyundai motor company of korea with a final assembly in korea. Has a manufacture date of 1/25/2018 and self certified by manufacturer to comply with all us fmvss and anti theft protection required at time of manufacture date. The car to date has not undergone satey crash testing performed by NHTSA. No substantially similar vehicle is us to compare ratings to, it being 1st of it's kind. The sticker also lists vehicle as passenger car, however according to manufacture rated class c and over 4,000 lbs and a truck/SUV for classification purposes. Although sold in the us as awd, is listed as 4×4 elsewhere. Lithium ion batteries are not standard for non hybrid or electric vehicles. No import documentation is attached to the vehicle. The Hyundai Kona was not placed on list of vehicle eligible to import by the NHTSA until 2020. Mine said to be registered in washington state in 2018. The vehicles original window sticker lists part cartent as required however is not listed on the parts content list provided by the NHTSA ad required until 2020.
Accident due to recall.
Nexen npriz ah8 215/55r17 94v new car and tires less than 800 miles. Driving on highway about 65 mph , sudden extreme difficulty controlling car withouty warning, pulled over. Left front flat noted. Towed to dealer. No screw or other items found in tire, no rim damage detected per dealer. No damage to car noted. New tire ordered.