2023 Hyundai Kona Reliability & Problems
By Adrian V. LockhartUpdated All 66 NHTSA owner reports researched and classified
Owner complaints
66
5 report a crash, fire, injury or death
Recalls
1
1 with a park-outside warning
Most common problem
35%
of complaints: horn failure
Complaints per year filed
2022–2025 · peak 20
In short
Some known problemsThe 2023 Hyundai Kona has some known problems, mainly because of a park-outside recall (23V526000) for a fire risk in the power train. NHTSA has 66 owner complaints, and 5 report a crash, fire, injury or death. The most common complaint is a horn that stops working, about 1 in 3 complaints. This model year has 1 recall.
Reliability
How Reliable Is the 2023 Hyundai Kona?
The 2023 Kona is judged to have some known problems, and the reason is an official recall rather than a large pile of complaints. Recall 23V526000 tells owners to park outside and away from structures until the repair is done, because of a fire risk in the power train. That is the most serious item on this page. The complaints themselves are dominated by something different: a horn that stops working.
The horn problem is the one recurring issue in this model year, and it is not minor. A horn is a safety device, and several owners describe losing it in the moments they needed it, such as when trying to avoid an accident, when a truck drifted into their lane on the highway, or when they were cut off in a rotary. Others describe it going silent at start up or in below freezing temperatures. Some say it fails intermittently, and some report that it stopped working more than once. A few also mention warning symbols or driver-assist alerts going off at the same time, so a horn that fails may not be the only thing you notice.
The recall and the horn complaints are separate matters. Recall 23V526000 covers an Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly whose electronic controller may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat, and the remedy is to park outside until the repair is complete. This model year has no recall for the horn. Among owners who described how repairs went, most say the horn was not fixed, and one reports it was replaced three times. Complaints lean toward repairs that failed, so a past horn repair is not proof that the problem is gone.
Mileage is hard to read here. Only a few owners gave an odometer figure, so we can't say whether the horn fails early or late in a Kona's life. Some of those who did report it say it happened at low mileage, but that is too small a group to rely on. Treat a low-mileage car as no guarantee that the horn is working, and test it yourself.
If you are buying, check the recall status, test the horn, and ask for service records. Keep the limits of this evidence in mind: complaint counts show what owners reported to NHTSA, not how many Konas are affected, and they can't show how any particular vehicle was driven or maintained. Only 66 complaints exist for this model year, so a single problem can make up a large share without telling you how likely it is in the car in front of you.
Top problems
The problem owners report most
Named from 66 NHTSA complaints. Open a problem for symptoms, the fix, cost and owners' accounts.
1Horn stops workingSeriousAbout 1 in 3 complaints10,300–12,000 mi
Owners say the horn makes no sound, stops working, or goes silent only some of the time, and some say it has failed more than once. Several describe it failing when they needed it, such as when trying to avoid an accident, on the highway or in a rotary. This model year has no recall for it.
What owners describe
- Horn makes no sound39%
- Horn works only sometimes22%
- Horn fails again after repair13%
Fix
Most common repair owners describe: horn replaced once (1 report).
Repair worked in 15% of complaints that describe one (complaints lean toward repairs that failed)
Mileage
11,700 mi
Middle half 10,300–12,000 mi · 6 reports
Repair cost
—
Fewer than 10 owners report a repair cost
How common
35%
23 of 66 complaints
Crash, fire or injury
0%
of these complaints
In owners' words
“The horn has quit working - and had to be replaced - on three different occasions.”
Owner in MS2.0L 4-cylFiled 2024NHTSA 11604800
Buying one
Should you buy a used 2023 Hyundai Kona?
What to check before you buy, based on the complaint and recall data.
Ask the seller for proof that recall 23V526000 was completed, or have a Hyundai dealer confirm it by VIN before you buy. Test the horn during your inspection, and again after the car has sat in the cold if you can. Ask whether the horn has ever been repaired or replaced, since some owners report it failing again after a fix.
- 1Run the VIN for open recalls. NHTSA lists 1 recall, and 1 carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning (23V526000). Check at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- 2Check for horn failure. The most common complaint, in about 1 in 3 owner complaints.
- 3Get 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.
Press the horn regularly, so you find out it has failed before you need it. If it stops, book a dealer visit and keep the paperwork, because some owners say the dealer found no remedy. Confirm that recall 23V526000 has been done, and until it is, park outside and away from structures as the recall advises.
Too few reports for a symptom finder
Only 1 symptom reached 10 reports. If something is wrong with yours, report it at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.
1 recall, newest first
Open one for the risk, the remedy and what to do now.
Fluid/lubricant › PumpPark outsideThe electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can…Jul 27, 202352,109 vehicles23V526000
- Defect
- The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat.
- Risk
- An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete.
- What to do
- Park outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.
What to do
Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If a recall is open, any dealer will fix it free. For NHTSA's full record of a campaign, search its number there (for example 23V526000).
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.
| Trouble spot | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission & drivetrain | 2018 Transmission & drivetrain: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Transmission & drivetrain: 6 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Transmission & drivetrain: 4 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Transmission & drivetrain: 6 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Transmission & drivetrain: 13 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Transmission & drivetrain: 9 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Transmission & drivetrain: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Transmission & drivetrain: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Transmission & drivetrain: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
| Engine | 2018 Engine: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Engine: 29 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Engine: 62 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Engine: 32 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Engine: 20 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Engine: 6 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Engine: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Engine: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Engine: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
| Fuel system & stalling | 2018 Fuel system & stalling: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Fuel system & stalling: 5 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Fuel system & stalling: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Fuel system & stalling: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Fuel system & stalling: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Fuel system & stalling: 4 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Fuel system & stalling: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Fuel system & stalling: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Fuel system & stalling: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
| Electrical | 2018 Electrical: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Electrical: 3 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Electrical: 6 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Electrical: 6 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Electrical: 7 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Electrical: 21 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Electrical: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Electrical: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Electrical: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
| Driver aids & stability | 2018 Driver aids & stability: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Driver aids & stability: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Driver aids & stability: 4 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Driver aids & stability: 3 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Driver aids & stability: 16 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Driver aids & stability: 11 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Driver aids & stability: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Driver aids & stability: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Driver aids & stability: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
| Brakes | 2018 Brakes: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Brakes: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Brakes: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Brakes: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Brakes: 7 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Brakes: 3 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Brakes: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Brakes: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Brakes: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
| Steering | 2018 Steering: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Steering: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Steering: 4 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Steering: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Steering: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Steering: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Steering: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Steering: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Steering: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
| Suspension | 2018 Suspension: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Suspension: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Suspension: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Suspension: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Suspension: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Suspension: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Suspension: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Suspension: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Suspension: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
| Airbags & seat belts | 2018 Airbags & seat belts: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Airbags & seat belts: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Airbags & seat belts: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Airbags & seat belts: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Airbags & seat belts: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Airbags & seat belts: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Airbags & seat belts: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Airbags & seat belts: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Airbags & seat belts: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
| Body, lights & visibility | 2018 Body, lights & visibility: 7 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Body, lights & visibility: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Body, lights & visibility: 4 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Body, lights & visibility: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Body, lights & visibility: 4 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Body, lights & visibility: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Body, lights & visibility: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Body, lights & visibility: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Body, lights & visibility: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
| Acceleration & speed control | 2018 Acceleration & speed control: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Acceleration & speed control: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Acceleration & speed control: 3 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Acceleration & speed control: 3 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Acceleration & speed control: 7 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Acceleration & speed control: 7 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Acceleration & speed control: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Acceleration & speed control: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Acceleration & speed control: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
| Wheels & tires | 2018 Wheels & tires: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Wheels & tires: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Wheels & tires: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Wheels & tires: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Wheels & tires: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Wheels & tires: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Wheels & tires: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Wheels & tires: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Wheels & tires: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
All problems
Every problem reported on the 2023 Kona
Every problem found in the 66 owner complaints, by area of the vehicle.
Body, lights & visibility
28 42%- Horn stops workingSerious23 35%typically at 11,700 mi · 15% fixed11,700–15%
- Rear door latch opens while driving1 2%–––
- Liftgate emergency release hard to use1 2%–––
- Auto-park when door opens did not engage1 2%–––
- Rear latch unlocks by itself1 2%–––
- Liftgate failure1 2%–––
Electrical
9 14%- Screen or infotainment glitchesMinor3 5%–––
- Many warning lights at onceMinor3 5%–––
- Wiring harness damage1 2%–––
- Battery drain or no-startSerious1 2%–––
- Electric oil pump failure1 2%–––
Transmission & drivetrain
8 12%- Drops into neutral or loses drive while movingCritical4 6%–––
- Transmission failure needing replacementSerious2 3%–––
- Service shifter warning1 2%–––
- Transmission warning messagesMinor1 2%–––
- Hesitation or slipping while drivingSerious1 2%–––
- Harsh, jerky shiftingSerious1 2%–––
Show 1 more transmission & drivetrain problemsShow fewer transmission & drivetrain problems
- Delayed engagement pulling away from a stopSerious1 2%–––
Engine
7 11%- Stalling or shutting off while drivingCritical3 5%–––
- Intermittent loss of power while driving2 3%–––
- Oil leaks or low oilSerious1 2%–––
- Coolant valve failure and overheating1 2%–––
Driver aids & stability
7 11%- Rear camera stays on while driving2 3%–––
- Collision warning or braking did not react2 3%–––
- Automatic emergency braking activates for no reasonCritical2 3%–––
- Random collision and lane warnings1 2%–––
Acceleration & speed control
4 6%- Cruise control drops speedSerious3 5%–––
- Forward safety system cuts throttle when pulling out1 2%–––
Wheels & tires
4 6%- False tire pressure warnings2 3%–––
- Tires cracking and shedding rubber2 3%–––
Brakes
3 5%- Brake pedal sinks or brakes failCritical2 3%–––
- Braking and speed control changed after service1 2%–––
Airbags & seat belts
2 3%- Airbags did not deploy in a crashCritical1 2%–––
- Seat belt buckle hard to latch1 2%–––
Steering
1 2%- Car pulls to one side1 2%–––
35 problems found in all 66 complaints. One complaint can describe more than one problem, so counts add up to more than the total. Not counted as a defect: 4 about recall paperwork or parts delays. 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
- 66
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 4
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Deaths
- 0
Crashes and fires count complaints that report one; injuries and deaths count people.
Mileage at failure
Not enough data yet
Only 6 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
2023 Hyundai Kona questions
Is the 2023 Hyundai Kona reliable?
The 2023 Hyundai Kona has some known problems, mainly because of a park-outside recall (23V526000) for a fire risk in the power train. NHTSA has 66 owner complaints, and 5 report a crash, fire, injury or death. The most common complaint is a horn that stops working.
What are the most common 2023 Hyundai Kona problems?
The most common problem is a horn that stops working, about 1 in 3 complaints (23 of 66). Owners say it makes no sound or works only sometimes, and some say it failed more than once. Other trouble spots include electrical issues, such as screen glitches and many warning lights at once, and transmission and drivetrain complaints.
Does the 2023 Hyundai Kona have any recalls?
The 2023 Hyundai Kona has 1 recall, and it is a park-outside warning. Recall 23V526000 covers the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly, whose controller may overheat and raise the risk of a vehicle fire. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the repair is complete. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Does the 2023 Hyundai Kona have horn problems?
Yes, horn failure is the main recurring complaint, with 23 reports, about 1 in 3 complaints. Owners say the horn goes silent, sometimes only now and then, and several describe it failing when they needed it, such as on the highway or in a rotary. This model year has no recall for it.
What should I check before buying a 2023 Hyundai Kona?
Ask for proof that recall 23V526000, the Idle Stop & Go oil pump fire risk, was completed, or have a Hyundai dealer confirm it by VIN. Test the horn during your inspection, and again after the car has sat in the cold if you can. Ask whether the horn has ever been repaired, since some owners report it failing again after a fix.
Is the 2023 Hyundai Kona safe?
NHTSA gives the 2023 Hyundai Kona 5 out of 5 stars overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal crash, 5 out of 5 stars for side crash and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. The AWD and FWD versions have the same ratings. Separately, the recall 23V526000 oil pump fire risk and the horn complaints are worth checking.
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 2023. 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: A park-outside recall (23V526000) for a fire risk in the power train, matching a top complaint.
- 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 66 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 Oct 9, 2026.