2023 Hyundai Kona Owner Complaints

My 2023 Hyundai Kona SEL FWD currently has approximately 1500 miles on the odometer. Pretty much since the day I my 2023 Kona SEL on 9/3/2022, the car has had an issue where, after I start the car and begin driving it for about 20 or 30 seconds the car will lose power entirely. Engine shuts down, and the following warning codes illuminate-Immobilizer, check engine light, battery light, and oil lights come on and the car prompts me to restart it. Sometimes an alarm will also sound, flashing red, with the following message on the vehicle's information display "Engine Off! Shift to N, then start engine." At other times the following message will appear "Shift to P and N to start engine." Initially this happened once or twice a week, 1-2 times a day, usually after the vehicle has been powered off for 12 or more hours. As of the writing of this message, 11/2/2022, this issue occured 4 times in one day. The first time in the morning while I was driving the vehicle at low speeds and applied the brakes, and the other 3 times in the evening, also while I was driving at low speeds and applied the brake. Fortunately, vehicle shuts down when I am driving at low speeds while the brake is applied. I personally feel unsafe driving the car, because I am not sure if the issue will worsen and the vehicle will lose power while it being driven at higer speeds and public roasds. I have a servicing appointment scheduled my with Hyundai dealership for 11/11/2022 (this message is dated 11/2/2022). Honestly, I am very concerned the problem will worsen. I hope the dealership will be able to reproduce and rectify the issue. I have opened a case with Hyundai USA in this regard as well. I am not sure what specific system is causing the above warning lights and warnings to appear, or causing the vehicle to lose power while being driven at low speeds with the brake applied, but the vehicle would defintely be available for further inspection if needed.

11/2/2022

I have been having electrical issues since I bought this car. The radio screen goes black for no reason, the clock changes time on it's own the Android auto only works intermittently. The tire lights come on and say there is 0 psi in the tires. Right now it says that 1 tire is low but the psi is the same in all 4 tires. I think this car was damaged during Hurricane Ian and the dealership still sold it to me. I have already brought it to the dealership to be fixed and it still has issues.

12/6/2022

Horn no longer works when pressed at 11,396 miles. Manufacturer will not offer loaner vehicle. Vehicle is not safe to drive without horn. Manufacturer does not seem to care that it's broken and will not expedite the repair process. I will have to drive this vehicle for approximately a month with no horn. My safety is put at risk as I cannot warn other drivers of impending danger and cannot warn other drivers they are about to hit me. The manufacturer has not yet inspected the vehicle. The inspection will take place on August 21st. There were no warning indications before I attempted to use the horn and it didn't work. It's possible that the horn has been broken for a while.

8/1/2023

The rear door Latch opens while vehicle is moving and I've have taken it to service and they don't know what failure is al about.Its a manufacture failure.

11/14/2023

My 2023 Hyundai Kona SEL FWD currently has approximately 1500 miles on the odometer. Pretty much since the day I my 2023 Kona SEL on 9/3/2022, the car has had an issue where, after I start the car and begin driving it for about 20 or 30 seconds the car will lose power entirely. Engine shuts down, and the following warning codes illuminate-Immobilizer, check engine light, battery light, and oil lights come on and the car prompts me to restart it. Sometimes an alarm will also sound, flashing red, with the following message on the vehicle's information display "Engine Off! Shift to N, then start engine." At other times the following message will appear "Shift to P and N to start engine." Initially this happened once or twice a week, 1-2 times a day, usually after the vehicle has been powered off for 12 or more hours. As of the writing of this message, 11/2/2022, this issue occured 4 times in one day. The first time in the morning while I was driving the vehicle at low speeds and applied the brakes, and the other 3 times in the evening, also while I was driving at low speeds and applied the brake. Fortunately, vehicle shuts down when I am driving at low speeds while the brake is applied. I personally feel unsafe driving the car, because I am not sure if the issue will worsen and the vehicle will lose power while it being driven at higer speeds and public roasds. I have a servicing appointment scheduled my with Hyundai dealership for 11/11/2022 (this message is dated 11/2/2022). Honestly, I am very concerned the problem will worsen. I hope the dealership will be able to reproduce and rectify the issue. I have opened a case with Hyundai USA in this regard as well. I am not sure what specific system is causing the above warning lights and warnings to appear, or causing the vehicle to lose power while being driven at low speeds with the brake applied, but the vehicle would defintely be available for further inspection if needed.

11/2/2022

We were diving on the interstate and the RPMs went up all the way up and after it came back down the car wouldn’t respond anymore and came to a stop while on the interstate putting my family safety at risk! There were no notifications before the car came to a stop while on the interstate but when we pulled over to the shoulder we tried to start the car again and then the Check engine light came on saying there was issues with the transmission control system. We had the car towed to Hyundai of Metairie on 5/28/23 and notified Hyundai of everything that happened. We were assigned a case# from Hyundai on 5/30/23. We were later contacted by the Hyundai case manager on 6/9/23 and the Service department letting us know that a new transmission will need to be installed on a brand new car we only had for 33 days at the time of this incident!

6/12/2023

The car is set at a speed for cruise control. For no reason it loses power, after a while it returns speed as set. At the beginning the doors weren’t working for locking and unlocking by the handle. Seems okay now but I made a video showing the rear camera staying on while driving. Also included, two pictures of maintenance reports with different results.

12/8/2022

Rodent damage found during 1-year maintenance. This is an increasing problem that is under-reported. Damage was found before any wires were effected, however, the wiring was exposed and would have caused a malfunction had this not been detected by technician. 1. Automakers across the board are using cheaper, soy-based elements to wrap wiring and customers are having to deal with the result of subpar parts. 2. With automakers increasing the time allowed between oil changes, customers are given a false sense of functionality in the vehicles they drive. 3. Automakers that advertise "free maintenance" should not be allowed to limit maintenance to once per year or every 5,000-8,000 miles, as more prudent inspection would prevent customers from unknowingly having their cars devoured by rodents.

12/28/2023

The car is set at a speed for cruise control. For no reason it loses power, after a while it returns speed as set. At the beginning the doors weren’t working for locking and unlocking by the handle. Seems okay now but I made a video showing the rear camera staying on while driving. Also included, two pictures of maintenance reports with different results.

12/8/2022

The cruise control on this 2023 Kona has not worked since the day I purchased it. When the cruise control is engaged it will suddenly decelerate, but the cruise still appears engaged. It sometimes then suddenly reaccelerates. This causes traffic to suddenly back up behind me, and also to be in danger in front of me when it reaccelerates rapidly. I informed the dealer immediately of the issue. They advised there was a 2022 in their shop for the exact same issue at 8,000 miles. They asked me to bring mine in, which I have done now three times. That shop now has 4 Konas with the exact same issue, yet they do not have a fix. The Hyundai forum boards are full of this same complaint. I have contacted Hyundai Corporate. They also don’t have a solution, but won’t take back my new vehicle. I have less than 1,000 miles on this Kona - most of that from driving one hour to/from the dealer 3 times. I have been understanding and professional in my dealings with them however, I have run out of patience. I did not get what I paid for and am being asked to put myself/my family in danger driving this vehicle back and forth to this dealer who doesn’t even have a fix.

4/20/2023

i was driving at 45mph and a deer came in front of my car . We hit the deer in front of car , deer approximitly 100 lbs no warning like brake sytem lane obstruction or air bags deployed ? I bought this car based Hyundai telling me how safe of car it is . When obiously it is not I notified Hyundai america of these things and they said everything worked correctly ?

4/12/2023

Within 1 mile of having windshield replaced the mirror broke free falling down completely distracted the driver, tried to grab mirror did not see the car ahead applied his brakes the forward collision warning and the automatic emergency braking did not warn of the danger or avoid it . the driver applied the brakes but not soon to avoid the accident

5/23/2023

i was driving at 45mph and a deer came in front of my car . We hit the deer in front of car , deer approximitly 100 lbs no warning like brake sytem lane obstruction or air bags deployed ? I bought this car based Hyundai telling me how safe of car it is . When obiously it is not I notified Hyundai america of these things and they said everything worked correctly ?

4/12/2023

Within 1 mile of having windshield replaced the mirror broke free falling down completely distracted the driver, tried to grab mirror did not see the car ahead applied his brakes the forward collision warning and the automatic emergency braking did not warn of the danger or avoid it . the driver applied the brakes but not soon to avoid the accident

5/23/2023

The vehicles horn randomly decides not to work. The horn has been replaced once, but the same wiring was kept the same. The vehicle is going back after a few months due to horn malfunction again.

9/17/2023

Horn is not working. When the horn is pressed from the driver's seat, no noise is made. Checked fuse in engine fuse box compartment. 15A fuse is ok (not blown, etc). Checked with spare 15A and that did not work either. Reported problem to dealership and they plan to investigate and repair. Google search indicated this is not the first Hyundai Kona to have this issue. This should be more looked into by regulatory boards.

11/27/2023

My 2023 Hyundai Kona SEL FWD currently has approximately 1500 miles on the odometer. Pretty much since the day I my 2023 Kona SEL on 9/3/2022, the car has had an issue where, after I start the car and begin driving it for about 20 or 30 seconds the car will lose power entirely. Engine shuts down, and the following warning codes illuminate-Immobilizer, check engine light, battery light, and oil lights come on and the car prompts me to restart it. Sometimes an alarm will also sound, flashing red, with the following message on the vehicle's information display "Engine Off! Shift to N, then start engine." At other times the following message will appear "Shift to P and N to start engine." Initially this happened once or twice a week, 1-2 times a day, usually after the vehicle has been powered off for 12 or more hours. As of the writing of this message, 11/2/2022, this issue occured 4 times in one day. The first time in the morning while I was driving the vehicle at low speeds and applied the brakes, and the other 3 times in the evening, also while I was driving at low speeds and applied the brake. Fortunately, vehicle shuts down when I am driving at low speeds while the brake is applied. I personally feel unsafe driving the car, because I am not sure if the issue will worsen and the vehicle will lose power while it being driven at higer speeds and public roasds. I have a servicing appointment scheduled my with Hyundai dealership for 11/11/2022 (this message is dated 11/2/2022). Honestly, I am very concerned the problem will worsen. I hope the dealership will be able to reproduce and rectify the issue. I have opened a case with Hyundai USA in this regard as well. I am not sure what specific system is causing the above warning lights and warnings to appear, or causing the vehicle to lose power while being driven at low speeds with the brake applied, but the vehicle would defintely be available for further inspection if needed.

11/2/2022

I received a notification by email from NHTSA about a recall for our 2023 Hyundai Kona N. It states that the recall has to do with Loss of Drive Power from Fuel Pump Failure. Your recall ID 24V528 sent July 22, I phoned the dealer, Mike Murphy in Peoria, Illinois and they could not find this recall. I have an appointment with them on Oct 24 to bring in my car for an oil change and to fix a recall on the trunk lock (I was not given any info on this recall until I contacted the dealership). Since I put in my VIN # above, It did not turn up anything either. What's going on and why are you sending Recalls that have nothing to do with my vehicle (?)

10/16/2024

This is the second dangerous situation on the highway. Both were within reasonable speed and distance, and the car couldn't come to a complete stop. This time there was an accident and I hit the car in front of me. I realized the car had a very important brake failure malfunction.

4/26/2023

Vehicle was service at a Hyundai Dealer for routine required maintenance to continue the warranty. Less than 24 hours later I was driving my special needs, handicap daughter to breakfast and pulled into a handicap parking space and placed my foot on the brake. The pedal seemed to not have any tension and go to the floor. The emergency collision warning went off, but the brakes did not work. The vehicle jumped over a parking curb, knocking over a handicap sign, going across the sidewalk, hitting a garbage can and finally coming to a stop in a brick building.

1/15/2025

ALL OF THE VEHICLE SAFETY ALERTS ARE NOT WORKING. HMFUSA HAS CHANGED THE VIN NUMBER ON THIS VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP SAYS THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE REPAIRED.

6/14/2024

Theres more than three issues going on. The car has shut off while driving at least 50 mph on the highway. Currently there's no safety features working on the car.

7/25/2025

ALL OF THE VEHICLE SAFETY ALERTS ARE NOT WORKING. HMFUSA HAS CHANGED THE VIN NUMBER ON THIS VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP SAYS THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE REPAIRED.

6/14/2024

Theres more than three issues going on. The car has shut off while driving at least 50 mph on the highway. Currently there's no safety features working on the car.

7/25/2025

The radio/GPS screen cuts out and goes completely blank and I can't turn it off or down or do anything with the radio. The tire pressure lights come on and off at random times. The backup camera randomly stays on when I'm driving and I can't get it to go back to a regular screen. The lights randomly turn on and off when I am driving. There is obviously some kind of electrical issues.

12/19/2022

i was driving at 45mph and a deer came in front of my car . We hit the deer in front of car , deer approximitly 100 lbs no warning like brake sytem lane obstruction or air bags deployed ? I bought this car based Hyundai telling me how safe of car it is . When obiously it is not I notified Hyundai america of these things and they said everything worked correctly ?

4/12/2023

The cruise control on this 2023 Kona has not worked since the day I purchased it. When the cruise control is engaged it will suddenly decelerate, but the cruise still appears engaged. It sometimes then suddenly reaccelerates. This causes traffic to suddenly back up behind me, and also to be in danger in front of me when it reaccelerates rapidly. I informed the dealer immediately of the issue. They advised there was a 2022 in their shop for the exact same issue at 8,000 miles. They asked me to bring mine in, which I have done now three times. That shop now has 4 Konas with the exact same issue, yet they do not have a fix. The Hyundai forum boards are full of this same complaint. I have contacted Hyundai Corporate. They also don’t have a solution, but won’t take back my new vehicle. I have less than 1,000 miles on this Kona - most of that from driving one hour to/from the dealer 3 times. I have been understanding and professional in my dealings with them however, I have run out of patience. I did not get what I paid for and am being asked to put myself/my family in danger driving this vehicle back and forth to this dealer who doesn’t even have a fix.

4/20/2023

P235/40 R19 Pirelli P-Zero driver and passenger front tires and rear driver. Purchased Hyundai Kona N on Oct 25, 2023 new (<50miles). Vehicle sold new with these tires already installed. Pressure always maintained per recommendations. Noticed tire cracking and stability issues several months ago. Vehicle has 4000 miles on it now. Front driver and passenger tires are heavily cracked and throwing off chunks of rubber from tread. Rear driver side tire showing slight signs of cracking. Rear passenger tire seems ok. Integrity of the tires are compromised. Highly concerned about a major blowout of the tires. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My personal safety and the safety of my children are at risk from major tire blowout, loss of control of vehicle, major accident, injury and/or death. Emailed and spoke with representatives at Palatine Hyundai (Dealer of Sale) on May 9th requesting pro-rata replacement of the defective tires... never was contacted back by the dealer or any representative. Emailed with representatives of Pirelli Tires on May 9th requesting pro-rata replacement of defective tires... was told that there was nothing they could do because the vehicle with the tires was purchased in Illinois and terminated all communication with me. Called Hyundai Customer Assistance and opened a case with them. I was told that even though the vehicle was purchased with the tires installed by dealer, they couldn't do anything and that I should contact the tire manufacturer. I followed up with the call and added photos of the defective tires to the associated case number with Hyundai. Do my kids or I need to die in a car crash before action is taken by the dealer, tire/vehicle manufacturer, or a governmental agency? How far does this need to go?

5/22/2023

P235/40 R19 Pirelli P-Zero driver and passenger front tires and rear driver. Purchased Hyundai Kona N on Oct 25, 2023 new (<50miles). Vehicle sold new with these tires already installed. Pressure always maintained per recommendations. Noticed tire cracking and stability issues several months ago. Vehicle has 4000 miles on it now. Front driver and passenger tires are heavily cracked and throwing off chunks of rubber from tread. Rear driver side tire showing slight signs of cracking. Rear passenger tire seems ok. Integrity of the tires are compromised. Highly concerned about a major blowout of the tires. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My personal safety and the safety of my children are at risk from major tire blowout, loss of control of vehicle, major accident, injury and/or death. Emailed and spoke with representatives at Palatine Hyundai (Dealer of Sale) on May 9th requesting pro-rata replacement of the defective tires... never was contacted back by the dealer or any representative. Emailed with representatives of Pirelli Tires on May 9th requesting pro-rata replacement of defective tires... was told that there was nothing they could do because the vehicle with the tires was purchased in Illinois and terminated all communication with me. Called Hyundai Customer Assistance and opened a case with them. I was told that even though the vehicle was purchased with the tires installed by dealer, they couldn't do anything and that I should contact the tire manufacturer. I followed up with the call and added photos of the defective tires to the associated case number with Hyundai. Do my kids or I need to die in a car crash before action is taken by the dealer, tire/vehicle manufacturer, or a governmental agency? How far does this need to go?

5/22/2023

The rear door Latch opens while vehicle is moving and I've have taken it to service and they don't know what failure is al about.Its a manufacture failure.

11/14/2023

Car pulls to the right since I had it..the dealer did a alignment twice already but it still pulls to the right..they did a alignment at around 5000 miles and again at 8000 miles but it still does it.

6/4/2024

The front passenger seatbelt buckle has trouble latching when buckling seatbelt.

7/9/2025