2018 Hyundai Kona Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2018 Hyundai Kona ranks best among the 8 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 0 and no recalls filed. NHTSA lists 75 complaints, mostly engine-related, with 10 fire reports and 9 crashes.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #8 of 8 Kona years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 75
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 9
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 10
- Injuries
- 12
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 28.5
- 26.5 city / 31 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 0
Top 2018 Hyundai Kona problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine44 (59%)
- Other25 (33%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (15%)
- Electrical System10 (13%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (5%)
- Fuel System4 (5%)
- Structure & Body3 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (4%)
- Airbags2 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some engine compartments smoked and then caught fire while driving or shortly after refueling, in one case despite only 17,000 miles on the odometer.
- Owners reported the engine bursting into flames even after recent maintenance, including one case around 63,000 miles just after a 60,000-mile service.
- A driver reported the front airbag failed to deploy in a frontal collision, resulting in head injury against the windshield.
- One owner reported the front passenger side of the vehicle separated from the frame and fell to the ground at low mileage.
- Forward collision warning alerts activated repeatedly and without a clear cause while driving on a highway.
2018 Hyundai Kona recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2018 Hyundai Kona fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26.5 MPG
- Highway
- 31 MPG
- Combined
- 28.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,275
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other Kona years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Hyundai Kona reliable?
- Among the 8 Kona model years tracked, 2018 has the lowest complaint index (0) and carries a Best verdict relative to other years. It has 75 NHTSA complaints and no recalls on file.
- What problems does the 2018 Hyundai Kona have?
- Engine issues make up 59% of complaints (44 of 75), including reports of smoke and fire, with a median failure mileage of 72,000. Transmission & powertrain issues account for 15% of complaints and electrical issues for 13%.
- Does the 2018 Hyundai Kona have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2018 Kona, compared with 1 to 4 recalls on other model years such as 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
- How does the 2018 Kona compare to other Kona years?
- The 2018 Kona has a complaint index of 0 and ranks best of the 8 years tracked, while 2019 (index 86) and 2020 (index 100) rank worst and carry an Avoid verdict.
- Are there engine fires reported in the 2018 Hyundai Kona?
- Yes, NHTSA records 10 fire reports for the 2018 Kona, with 7 of the 44 engine complaints involving fire, some occurring at low mileage such as 17,000 and 29,000 miles.