2018 Hyundai KonaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 75 owner complaints about the 2018 Hyundai Kona, most often about the engine. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 19, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the 2018 Hyundai Kona has problems
75 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 42 | 7 |
| Power train | 11 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 3 | 2 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 |
| 9 other systems | 12 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2018 Hyundai Kona recalls and how many were fixed
No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.
2018 vs. every other Kona year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Kona median. How we score
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2018 Hyundai Kona safety ratings
2018 Hyundai Kona SUV FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Optional
- Lane departure warning: Optional
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2018 Hyundai Kona, and the recalls they led to.
- Loss of Motive PowerNo recall
What Kona owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
car had an engine knock at 110,000 miles and took it to a repair shop and said they are pretty sure it was an engine rod and that the whole engine needed to be replaced still waiting to get it to the dealership to see what they are going to do due to this car being a leased car and it will not run…
I purchased a 2018 Hyundai Kona, and it has had one major issue after another. It burns an excessive amount of oil, the engine misfires, and now the turbocharger is failing. I’ve already spent approximately $2,300 repairing the air conditioner and engine, and I can’t afford thousands more in…
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, there was a loud clunking sound coming from the engine bay, followed by grinding gear sounds. The vehicle lost drive power, causing the driver to coast over to the side of the road, where the vehicle…
Own a 2018 Kona?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.