Hyundai Kona Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Hyundai Kona model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2018 drew the fewest (75) and the 2019 the most (193).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
9 | 3 | Unknown or other | 4★ | 26–31 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
28 | 1 | Electrical system | 4★ | 26–118 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
52 | 4 | Electrical system | 4★ | 26–118 |
| 2023 | 66 | 1 | Electrical system | 5★ | 23–32 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
75 | 0 | Engine | — | 27–30 |
| 2022 | 100 | 0 | Engine | 5★ | 23–32 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
118 | 1 | Engine | 5★ | 27–30 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
160 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 27–30 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
193 | 1 | Engine | 5★ | 27–30 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Hyundai Kona years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2019 Hyundai Kona: 193 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 133 (69%); Electrical system 18 (9%); Power train 18 (9%).
Reports mention 11 crashes, 4 fires, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 44,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2020 Hyundai Kona: 160 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 107 (67%); Power train 20 (13%); Electrical system 11 (7%).
Reports mention 8 crashes, 3 fires, 12 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 12,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2021 Hyundai Kona: 118 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 79 (67%); Power train 14 (12%); Electrical system 11 (9%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 3 fires, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 23,700 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
The Hyundai Kona years with the fewest complaints
2018 Hyundai Kona: 75 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 42 (56%); Power train 11 (15%); Electrical system 8 (11%).
Reports mention 9 crashes, 10 fires, 12 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 17,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2021 Hyundai Kona: 118 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 79 (67%); Power train 14 (12%); Electrical system 11 (9%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 3 fires, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 23,700 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2020 Hyundai Kona: 160 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 107 (67%); Power train 20 (13%); Electrical system 11 (7%).
Reports mention 8 crashes, 3 fires, 12 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 12,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Hyundai Kona owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 52 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 13,000 |
| 2023 | 66 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 100 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 19,842 |
| 2021 | 118 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 23,700 |
| 2020 | 160 | 8 | 3 | 12 | 1 | 12,000 |
| 2019 | 193 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 44,000 |
| 2018 | 75 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 17,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Hyundai Kona recalls
- Improperly Heat-Treated Piston Oil Rings (2019–2021 model years; 158,493 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2021; 21V301000)
- Electric Oil Pump Assembly May Cause Fire (2023 model year; 52,109 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2023; 23V526000)
- Seat Belt Buckle May Fail (2024–2026 model years; 47,787 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2026; 26V452000)
- Instrument Panel Display Failure/FMVSS 101 (2026 model year; 41,651 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2026; 26V047000)
- EGR Valve May Short and Cause Loss of Drive Power (2024 model year; 13,511 vehicles across all models; filed May 2024; 24V308000)
All 9 Hyundai Kona recall campaigns · Hyundai Kona problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Hyundai Kona years FAQ
Which Hyundai Kona year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2018 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (75). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Hyundai Kona years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2019, 2020 and 2021 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Hyundai Kona problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (414 of 801 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Hyundai Kona have?
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns covering the Hyundai Kona. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Hyundai Kona recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.