Hyundai Kona Complaints

360 consumer complaints on file.

#11680468August 13, 2025
SEATS
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, the front driver's side seat independently ejected the contact forward into the steering wheel. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, the failure was unidentified. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact sustained injuries to her back; however, no medical attention was sought. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 385.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11680145August 12, 2025
ENGINE
On Saturday, [XXX], while driving on the highway, the oil plug on my vehicle suddenly fell out, causing all the oil to drain rapidly. This created an extreme safety hazard not only for myself but also for other drivers on the road. I did not notice the oil spillage until the oil light on the dash appeared. At the time, I was in the leftmost lane traveling at highway speeds, so I could not stop immediately. I had to carefully veer across five lanes of traffic and navigate out of a construction zone before I was able to pull over safely. The engine lost lubrication during this process, and I was forced to have the vehicle towed to Ed Napleton Hyundai in Hazelwood, the same dealership where I purchased and serviced the car, for inspection and repairs. This incident occurred just three weeks after I had an oil change performed at the same dealership. I have been attempting to contact the dealership for updates on the status of my vehicle and the investigation into potential engine damage for the past three days, but I have received limited information until today, when the service manager, Jerry, stated that they installed a new plug and added oil, and since it's not ticking, it's okay. However, having worked in the automotive industry for years, I know that a full teardown is necessary to properly check for damage, including inspecting the bearings, rings, cylinder walls, and turbo for signs of oil starvation. This service was not performed. Additionally, Jerry informed me that speaking to someone higher up would do absolutely nothing for me. This is not an isolated issue. Over the course of my ownership, the dealership has damaged my oil filter by over-tightening and stripping it on two separate occasions during routine maintenance, requiring me to return to the facility each time. On both instances, I had to wait an additional 2 to 3 hours while they installed replacement parts to correct their errors. These repeated mistakes have caused significant inconv INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMAT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679588August 9, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
My car intermittently loses power when I’m driving and I almost got hit yesterday.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679287August 8, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Significant Mechanical and Drivetrain Problems: ◦ Loss of Drive Power and Sluggish Acceleration: Reported as early as [XXX] ("bumpy driving, grinding and clanking noise"), with issues worsening by [XXX] ("slower acceleration, bumpier ride, metal clinking and cracking sounds"), and most severely on [XXX] ("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 [XXX] ("car shakes when accelerating") and continued through multiple visits, including [XXX] ("wobbly feeling"), [XXX] (shifts "back and forth (wobble)"), and [XXX] ("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 [XXX], and persisted through [XXX], and [XXX] ◦ Noises from Underneath the Vehicle: Complaints include "grinding and clanking noise" (XXX), "loud noises" ([XXX]), and "metal clinking and cracking sounds" (XXX), and "snapping" noises (XXX). • Electrical/Infotainment System Malfunctions: ◦ Interior and Exterior Lights Turning Off While Driving: On [XXX], 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 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678886August 6, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678662August 6, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678428August 5, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678261August 4, 2025
SEATS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677647July 31, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676914July 29, 2025
ENGINE
Excessive oil consumption, over 3 quarts in just 4 months, caused the engine's timing chain to fail due to low oil levels, ultimately leading to a rod punching through the engine. there is a recall for this vehicle but not mine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676399July 26, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676079July 25, 2025
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Theres more than three issues going on. The car has shut off while driving at least 50 mph on the highway. Currently there's no safety features working on the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675763July 23, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674917July 20, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
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:
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672914July 11, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
A few different days over the past few months. Driving heated seats stopped working. Check engine warning light on intermittently. Key fob not working. Multiple error codes stored in system cleared by dealer. shut down the car screen has stayed on. AC light has stayed on when car is off. Screen has turned off “check you back seat” upon leaving the car heard the engine still on 3x. At the gas station turned off the car, miles to zero reading 5, P park stays on, odometer reading on. As tank filling miles to zero rapidly increased from 5 to 300. I have a video of this. Been in for service multiple times. Presently at the dealer. They r unable to replicate this. They do not seem concerned about this. I feel it is a safety and operational concern. Prefer by car not be communicating even with itself while I’m pumping gas. They want me to pick up the car. I do not wish to. I have asked if miles to zero reading is supposed to increase real time I would like to see this is the manual or other documentation. Otherwise I feel it is a huge safety risk to have my car not shut down when I ask it to. What’s to say it won’t shut down while I’m driving 75mph on the freeway? Thank you
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672323July 9, 2025
SEAT BELTS
The front passenger seatbelt buckle has trouble latching when buckling seatbelt.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671835July 7, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671708July 7, 2025
ENGINE
Car engine is loosing/burning oil at a high rate. This could be best described as an oil ring problem that is included in other kona models but not my specific vin series
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671351July 5, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Mushy brake pedal after 1000 miles This just started yesterday, seemingly out of nowhere. When I push the brake pedal it's mushier than it used to be. If I push hard, I get more resistance at first but then it slowly sinks toward the floor as a I continue to press. If I push softer then it just sinks toward the floor. I still have plenty of stopping power. If I push the pedal repeatedly then it builds up more resistance ("pump the brakes") but then the resistance calms down and it becomes mushy again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670618July 1, 2025
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
The contact rented a 2025 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the driver's side front door independently unlatched and opened. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The Enterprise Car Rental Agency was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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