2026 Hyundai Kona recalls and problems

The 2026 Hyundai Kona has 3 recalls and 11 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is unknown or other.

How the 2026 compares

Lowest

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Lowest complaint count among 9 Kona model years — 9th most. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are still growing.

3recalls

11complaints

1crashes

0fires

2injuries

900median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

3 recalls

Seat Belts

Jul 14, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V452000 · 47,787 vehicles

Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Kona Electric and 2024-2026 Kona vehicles. The seat belt buckle in the rear center seat may fail to properly restrain an occupant during a crash.

Risk: A seat belt buckle that fails to properly restrain an occupant in a crash increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

Passengers are advised not to use the rear center seat until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 306. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 15, 2026.

Steering

Feb 5, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V069000 · 4,555 vehicles

Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Kona vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front steering knuckles may crack and break, which can result in a loss of vehicle steering control.

Risk: A loss of vehicle steering control increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckles, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 5, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 295. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 7, 2026.

Electrical System

Jan 26, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V047000 · 41,651 vehicles

Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."

Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 24, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 293. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 28, 2026.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Unknown or other3

Electrical System2

Service Brakes2

Structure2

Vehicle Speed Control2

Engine1

Forward Collision Avoidance1

Fuel System1

Power Train1

Seat Belts1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

2026 vs. other Hyundai Kona years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2026. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2026 Hyundai Kona have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns covering the 2026 Hyundai Kona, the latest from Jul 14, 2026 (seat belts). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2026 Hyundai Kona?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention unknown or other (3), electrical system (2), service brakes (2). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.