2023 Hyundai Kona: common problems and reliability

The 2023 Hyundai Kona has 70 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and forward collision avoidance. Owners most often flag chronic engine problems (stalling, rough idle, failure to start, excessive oil consumption) in first-generation gasoline models (approx. 2018-2023). frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2023 model year

70
Owner complaints
2
Recalls
4
Crash reports
0
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2023 Hyundai Kona vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2023 a good year for the Kona?

Across the 7 Kona model years we track, complaint volume runs from 27 (2025) to 331 (2020). With 70 complaints, the 2023 Kona sits about the same asthe model's median of 72.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

electrical system
28
forward collision avoidance
12
power train
11
engine
9
vehicle speed control
7

Recalls affecting the 2023 Kona

power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:pump

Campaign 23V526000

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical c

fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump:control/drive module

Campaign 24V528000

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Veloster N, 2019-2023 Genesis G70, 2022-2023 Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The fuel pump may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is sharply divided by powertrain and generation, with no clear consensus. Long-term owners of first-generation (approx. 2018-2023) gasoline models report a high frequency of significant mechanical and electrical issues,…

  • Chronic engine problems (stalling, rough idle, failure to start, excessive oil consumption) in first-generation gasoline models (approx. 2018-2023). Frequency: very frequent.
  • Transmission issues: "Laggy" or "jumpy" feeling in DCT models; concerns over CVT reliability. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Kona. See the full Kona owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Kona listings typically run $16,590–$24,788 across 2018 to 2026 model years.

Other Kona model years

Compare every Kona year side by side to see how 2023 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Kona against its rivals