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2026 Hyundai Kona

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
6 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
C
Safety Signal
76 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns3
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA9
Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA31 mpg
2027202620252024202320222021202020192018

The 2026 Hyundai Kona is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Kona FWD, is EPA-rated at 31 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 9 complaints, most often about the service brakes. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Kona FWDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl283531$2,000
Kona FWD w/Stop-StartGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl293431$2,000
Kona AWD w/Stop-StartGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl272928$2,250
Kona FWD SX2 1.6T 8AT FWDGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo263128$2,250
Kona AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl262927$2,300
Kona AWD SX2 1.6T 8AT AWDGasAWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo252826$2,400

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 49449, 49454, 49501, 49448, 49492, 49491.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Seat Belts

306
47,787 vehicles
ProblemHyundai 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.RiskA seat belt buckle that fails to properly restrain an occupant in a crash increases the risk of injury.FixPassengers 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 are expected to be mailed September 11, 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.
NHTSA campaign 26V452000reported Jul 14, 2026Hyundai Motor America
▲high

Steering

295
4,555 vehicles
ProblemHyundai 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.RiskA loss of vehicle steering control increases the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 26V069000reported Feb 5, 2026Hyundai Motor America
▲high

Electrical System

293
41,651 vehicles
ProblemHyundai 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."RiskAn instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.FixThe 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.
NHTSA campaign 26V047000reported Jan 26, 2026Hyundai Motor America

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
9complaints filed

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 2 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2025: 1 · 2026: 8

Most-cited components

Unspecified3
Service Brakes2
Power Train1
Structure1
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Vehicle Speed Control1

What owners describe

“I purchased this vehicle new on July 28, 2026. NHTSA Recall 26V-452 / Hyundai Recall 306 was dated July 13, 2026, and the VIN showed the recall as incomplete when I discovered it. The dealer states that it was unaware of the recall at the time of sale. I am reporting this to document that a new vehicle was delivered to…”Aug 20, 2026 · Seat Belts · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and went into LIMP Mode before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted and resumed normal functionality. While depressing the accelerator, the vehicle lunged forward. The contact depressed the brake …”Aug 11, 2026 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“Coke spill in cup holders caused a leak to the wiring harness below the center console. It drained the battery, shut down all of the buttons on the steering wheel and shut the infotainment system down. It finally died and had to be towed to Vann York Hyundai in Highpoint NC. They told me that because it was cased by an…”May 10, 2026 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆16%
SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆15%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Kona model years

A

2027 Hyundai Kona

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2025 Hyundai Kona

1 recalls · 29 complaints

D

2024 Hyundai Kona

4 recalls · 65 complaints

C

2023 Hyundai Kona

2 recalls · 72 complaints

B

2022 Hyundai Kona

2 recalls · 123 complaints

C

2021 Hyundai Kona

3 recalls · 141 complaints

F

2020 Hyundai Kona

5 recalls · 184 complaints

F

2019 Hyundai Kona

4 recalls · 242 complaints

A

2018 Hyundai Kona

0 recalls · 74 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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