2022 Hyundai Kona Reliability & Problems
By Adrian V. LockhartUpdated All 100 NHTSA owner reports researched and classified
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for this model year.
Owner complaints
100
3 report a crash, fire, injury or death
Recalls
0
None listed by NHTSA
Most common problem
18%
of complaints: horn that does not sound
Complaints per year filed
2021–2025 · peak 28
In short
No pattern of serious problemsThe 2022 Hyundai Kona shows no pattern of serious problems: its largest serious group, engine failure or stalling, makes up 13% of complaints. NHTSA has 100 owner complaints, and 3 report a crash, fire, injury or death. The most common complaint, 18% of the total, is a horn that stops working. There are no recalls for this model year.
Reliability
How Reliable Is the 2022 Hyundai Kona?
The 2022 Hyundai Kona has no pattern of serious problems in its own complaints. The largest serious group is engine failure or stalling, which accounts for 13% of complaints. Safety-related complaints make up 16%, which is in line with the 17% typical figure. There is also no do-not-drive or park-outside recall and no open serious NHTSA investigation. Only 3 of the 100 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death.
The complaint that stands out is not a mechanical failure of the engine or brakes. About 1 in 6 owner complaints is about the horn not sounding. Owners describe a horn that produced no sound, stopped working, or went out again after it was fixed. Some say the fuse was fine and that no warning light appeared. A dead horn is a real safety matter, since you cannot warn other drivers, but none of these complaints reports a crash, fire, injury or death. The horn complaints are spread across both the 2.0L and the 1.6L engines.
This model year has no recalls, so nothing officially confirms or addresses the horn problem. Too few owners describe how their repairs turned out for us to say whether fixes usually work. The ones who do describe repairs mostly say the horn was replaced more than once, with some reporting a third replacement. Complaints tend to come from owners whose problem was not solved, so they lean toward repairs that failed.
Mileage tells us little here. Only 11 complaints give a mileage, and their median is about 19,800 miles, with just over half under 25,000 miles. The one horn report with a mileage is at 65,000 miles. That suggests the horn can fail early, but one report is not enough to say when it usually happens, so a low odometer does not rule it out.
For a buyer, the practical step is to test the horn and ask about any past horn repairs. The Kona earned 5 overall in NHTSA crash ratings, for both AWD and FWD. Complaint counts show what owners reported, not how many vehicles are affected, and they cannot show how a particular vehicle was maintained. A pre-purchase inspection and the service history will tell you more about a specific vehicle.
Top problems
The problem owners report most
Named from 100 NHTSA complaints. Open a problem for symptoms, the fix, cost and owners' accounts.
1Horn does not soundSeriousAbout 1 in 6 complaints65,000–65,000 mi
Owners describe a horn that produced no sound or stopped working, often with no warning light and with the fuse checked and found fine. Several say it failed again after a replacement, in some cases two or three times. Some noticed it in very cold weather or the first time they used the horn, and this model year has no recall for it.
What owners describe
- Horn makes no sound50%
- Horn stops working again28%
- Fuse is fine, no warning light22%
- Weak sound before failing6%
Fix
Most common repair owners describe: horn replaced twice fuse replaced once (1 report).
Mileage
65,000 mi
Middle half 65,000–65,000 mi · 1 reports
Repair cost
—
Fewer than 10 owners report a repair cost
How common
18%
18 of 100 complaints
By engine
- 2.0L 4-cyl61%
- 1.6L 4-cyl39%
In owners' words
“Horn was going in and out of working for the first few months after purchase. Now the horn does not work at all.”
Owner in FL2.0L 4-cylFiled 2025NHTSA 11696653 “Horn stopped working for third time. Replaced by dealership twice, awaiting parts for third repair.”
Owner in MO1.6L 4-cylFiled 2024NHTSA 11632369 “Horn fails in very cold weather. When the horn is depressed/pushed down on, no sound is produced.”
Owner in NY2.0L 4-cylFiled 2024NHTSA 11572620
Buying one
Should you buy a used 2022 Hyundai Kona?
What to check before you buy, based on the complaint and recall data.
Before you buy, press the horn and check that it sounds, since a dead horn is the most common complaint on this model year. Ask the seller whether the horn has ever been repaired or replaced, and get the service records. This model year has no recalls, so there is nothing to confirm there, but a dealer can check the VIN for any new ones.
- 1Still run the VIN. NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year, but recalls can be added later. Check at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- 2Check for horn that does not sound. The most common complaint, in about 1 in 6 owner complaints.
- 3Ask for software update records. 11% of complaints mention a software update or reflash.
- 4Get a pre-purchase inspection. An independent mechanic can spot leaks, stored fault codes and accident repairs that a test drive misses.
Hyundai Kona model years
Which Hyundai Kona years to avoid? Every model year compared
Early complaints are those filed in a model year's first 3 years. They follow how many were sold, so they don't show which years are better. Each tag is that year's verdict from our research of its owner complaints.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings.
| SUV AWD | SUV FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 14% | 14% |
Owning one
If you already own one
Find your symptom, see when problems tend to show up, and check which recalls apply.
Test your horn from time to time, because owners say it can fail with no warning light. A horn that stops working should be repaired promptly, as you may need it in an emergency. Some owners report the horn failing again after a repair, so keep your repair paperwork. This model year has no recalls, but check your VIN on NHTSA's site now and then.
Too few reports for a symptom finder
Only 2 symptoms reached 10 reports. If something is wrong with yours, report it at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.
Recalls
No recalls
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2022 Hyundai Kona.
Reliability history
Hyundai Kona reliability by year
Complaints filed in each model year's first 3 years, by trouble spot. Darker cells have more complaints; counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold each year.
All problems
Every problem reported on the 2022 Kona
Every problem found in the 100 owner complaints, by area of the vehicle.
Engine
32 32%- Stalling or shutting off while drivingCritical10 10%–––
- Engine failureCritical5 5%–––
- Coolant leakSerious4 4%–––
- Check engine light comes onMinor3 3%–––
- Misfires or head gasket failureSerious3 3%–––
- Engine knocking2 2%–––
Show 5 more engine problemsShow fewer engine problems
- Oil leaks or low oilSerious2 2%–––
- Thermostat or cooling system fault code2 2%–––
- Stalling right after refuelingCritical1 1%–––
- Repeated cooling and engine parts replaced1 1%–––
- Coolant warning light with full coolant1 1%–––
Body, lights & visibility
25 25%- Horn does not soundSerious18 18%–––
- Headlight switch works in reverse1 1%–––
- Low beams aimed too high1 1%–––
- Side window shatters without impact1 1%–––
- Water inside taillight1 1%–––
- Sunroof glass shatters1 1%–––
Show 2 more body, lights & visibility problemsShow fewer body, lights & visibility problems
- Liftgate or trunk pops open1 1%–––
- Charging port door will not open1 1%–––
Driver aids & stability
17 17%- Automatic emergency braking activates for no reasonCritical9 9%–––
- Adaptive cruise control slow to engage or hold speedSerious6 6%–––
- Lane keeping assist steers wrongly2 2%–––
- Backup camera shows green screen1 1%–––
Transmission & drivetrain
16 16%- Drops into neutral or loses drive while movingCritical4 4%–––
- Transmission failure needing replacementSerious4 4%–––
- Harsh, jerky shiftingSerious3 3%–––
- Engine off, shift to neutral warning2 2%–––
- Hesitation or slipping while drivingSerious2 2%–––
- Drive gear not detected, reverse beep keeps sounding1 1%–––
Show 4 more transmission & drivetrain problemsShow fewer transmission & drivetrain problems
- Clicking noise when downshifting1 1%–––
- Transmission warning messagesMinor1 1%–––
- Transmission shudder or judderSerious1 1%–––
- Gear reduction unit noise and failure1 1%–––
Acceleration & speed control
9 9%- Loss of accelerationSerious8 8%–––
- Sudden or unintended accelerationCritical1 1%–––
Electrical
6 6%- Battery drain or no-startSerious2 2%–––
- Many warning lights at onceMinor2 2%–––
- Screen or infotainment glitchesMinor1 1%–––
- Air conditioning refrigerant leak1 1%–––
Wheels & tires
5 5%- Oil drain plug missing or fell out3 3%–––
- Tires crack early1 1%–––
- Tire tread comes off1 1%–––
Brakes
3 3%- Automatic braking did not stop the car in a crash1 1%–––
- Car moves on its own when stopped in drive1 1%–––
- Brake pedal sinks or brakes failCritical1 1%–––
Airbags & seat belts
2 2%- Airbags did not deploy in a crashCritical2 2%–––
Fire
2 2%- Transmission overheats and smokes1 1%–––
- Large clouds of exhaust smoke1 1%–––
Other
1 1%- Pulsing, bouncing rpm and flickering lights at idle1 1%–––
49 problems found in all 100 complaints. One complaint can describe more than one problem, so counts add up to more than the total. Typical miles, repair cost and fix rate show only when enough owners report them.
The data
Behind the numbers
Every figure comes from NHTSA's complaint file and APIs.
- Complaints
- 100
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes
- 3
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Crashes and fires count complaints that report one; injuries and deaths count people.
Mileage at failure
Not enough data yet
Only 11 complaints list mileage; we chart this from 30.
Complaints by engine
Decoded from the partial VINs owners include. Not adjusted for how many of each engine were sold.
FAQ
2022 Hyundai Kona questions
Is the 2022 Hyundai Kona reliable?
The 2022 Hyundai Kona shows no pattern of serious problems in its own complaints. Its largest serious group is engine failure or stalling, at 13% of complaints, and safety-related complaints are 16% against a typical 17%. There is also no do-not-drive or park-outside recall and no open serious NHTSA investigation.
What are the most common 2022 Hyundai Kona problems?
The most common complaint is a horn that does not sound, at 18% of the 100 NHTSA complaints, or about 1 in 6. By area, the engine has the most complaints at 32%, mainly stalling or shutting off while driving, engine failure and coolant leaks. Driver aids, such as automatic emergency braking activating for no reason, follow at 17%.
Does the 2022 Hyundai Kona have any recalls?
The 2022 Hyundai Kona has 0 recalls, so there is no do-not-drive or park-outside warning. Because new recalls can be issued later, enter the vehicle's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm that nothing is open on the specific vehicle you are looking at.
Does the 2022 Hyundai Kona have horn problems?
Yes, it is the most common complaint, at 18% of owner complaints. Owners describe a horn that made no sound or stopped working, often with no warning light and a fuse that checked out fine. Several say it failed again after a replacement, in some cases two or three times, and there is no recall for it.
At what mileage do 2022 Hyundai Kona problems start?
Only 11 complaints give a mileage, and the median is about 19,800 miles, so problems have been reported early. The one horn report with a mileage is at 65,000 miles. That is too little to say when a given problem usually appears, so a low odometer reading does not rule problems out.
Is the 2022 Hyundai Kona safe?
NHTSA gives the 2022 Hyundai Kona 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 5 out of 5 stars for frontal and side crash and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. The ratings are the same for AWD and FWD. Of 100 owner complaints, 3 report a crash, fire, injury or death.
What should I check before buying a 2022 Hyundai Kona?
Press the horn and make sure it sounds, since a dead horn is the most common complaint on this model year. Ask whether the horn has ever been repaired or replaced and get the service records. Then check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and arrange a pre-purchase inspection.
Which Hyundai Kona years should you avoid?
Avoid the 2018–2021 Hyundai Kona: owner complaints for those years show serious known problems. For the 2023, make sure the recall repairs were done: an urgent recall matters more than its complaint pattern. The 2022 and 2024 show no pattern of serious problems. The 2025–2026 have too few complaints to judge. Every model year is compared on the Hyundai Kona years-to-avoid page.
Methodology
How we researched this
- Complaints. NHTSA's owner complaint file, counted as unique complaint numbers for make HYUNDAI, model KONA, model year 2022. Data through Oct 4, 2026.
- Verdict. Judged from this model year's own complaints, not against other models, using shares rather than counts. Serious known problems: one serious problem (transmission, engine or stalling, steering, brakes, airbags, fire, fuel leaks) is in a quarter or more of complaints; or a smaller but clear cluster comes with an unusual share of crash, fire, injury or loss-of-power reports or early failures; or an urgent recall or NHTSA investigation matches a top complaint. Some known problems: one of those signals on its own. No pattern of serious problems: none of them; this doesn't mean the vehicle is trouble-free. Too few complaints to judge: under 50 complaints. Why this verdict: Checked: the largest serious problem class is engine failure or stalling (stalling while driving, misfires and head gasket failures, stalling after refueling), 13% of complaints; safety-related complaints are 16% (typical: 17%), and there's no do-not-drive or park-outside recall or open serious NHTSA investigation..
- No grade or class ranking. Raw complaint counts favor models that sell fewer cars, so we don't score or rank this vehicle against other models until we can adjust for sales.
- Trouble spots and history. Complaints grouped by the part owners chose when filing. The history grid counts complaints filed in each model year's first 3 years so older and newer years compare fairly; years with fewer than 3 complete years are marked too new.
- Named problems. Every one of the 100 complaints was researched and classified by its problems, severity, symptoms, repairs and any cost the owner mentions; the counts, costs and fix rates on this page are tallies of those classifications. Quotes are verbatim excerpts, checked against the original text. Engines are decoded from partial VINs with NHTSA's vPIC service.
- Repair costs and fix rates. Shown only when at least 10 owners report a repair cost, or at least 10 complaints describe whether a repair worked.
- Not adjusted for sales. Not affiliated with NHTSA. Page updated Nov 3, 2026.