YearToAvoid

2023 Hyundai Kona Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

29/100

#6 most-complained of 8 Kona years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2023 Hyundai Kona carries a complaint index of 29 with 65 complaints and ranks 6th among 8 model years. It earns a Caution verdict, capped due to a park-outside recall on the Idle Stop & Go oil pump controller, despite a relatively low complaint index.

Complaints
65
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
4 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
30
28 city / 33 hwy

Top 2023 Hyundai Kona problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System26 (40%)
  2. Other18 (28%)
  3. Engine13 (20%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (20%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain10 (15%)
  6. Fuel System4 (6%)
  7. Brakes3 (5%)
  8. Lane Departure2 (3%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (3%)
  10. Airbags1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Radio and infotainment screens go black or freeze, sometimes tied to intermittent Android Auto issues.
  • Tire pressure warning lights trigger randomly even when all tires read the same pressure.
  • Cruise control unexpectedly decelerates or reaccelerates on its own, creating a hazard in traffic.
  • Some owners report the transmission dropping into neutral at highway speed with RPMs spiking before the vehicle stops responding.
  • Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking failed to activate in at least one reported near-miss involving a falling mirror.
  • Brake pedal reportedly went soft or lost tension shortly after dealer service, triggering the collision warning system.
2023 Hyundai Kona complaints: complaints filed per month9Nov 2022Jun 2023Nov 2023Mar 2024Oct 2024Aug 2025Jan 2026Jul 2026
95 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2022 to Sep 2026; peak Nov 2023 (9).

2023 Hyundai Kona recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V526000Jul 27, 2023Transmission & Powertrain52,109 vehiclesPark Outside

    Power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:pump

    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 components that can cause the pump controller to overheat.

    Risk: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.

    Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting September 7, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 246.

2023 Hyundai Kona fuel economy and fuel cost

City
28 MPG
Highway
33 MPG
Combined
30 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,150
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.

2023 compared with other Kona years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020182019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2021Caution71116128.5
2022Best1498030
2023Caution2965130
2024Caution5751428
2025Good4328128

All Hyundai Kona years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Hyundai Kona reliable?
NHTSA lists 65 complaints for the 2023 Kona, giving it a complaint index of 29 and a rank of 6th out of 8 model years, with a Caution verdict.
Why is the 2023 Kona rated Caution instead of Good?
Its complaint index of 29 is relatively low, but the verdict is capped to Caution because of a park-outside recall covering the Idle Stop & Go oil pump controller.
What is the biggest problem area for the 2023 Kona?
Electrical System complaints make up 40% of reports, most involving infotainment screens and tire pressure warnings, with a median failure mileage of 12,000.
Does the 2023 Kona have a recall?
Yes, one recall (23V526000) covers a damaged electrical controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump; it is a park-outside recall, not do-not-drive.
How does the 2023 Kona compare to other Kona years?
The 2023 Kona's complaint index of 29 is better than 2019, 2020, and 2021, but worse than 2018, 2022, and 2025, which rank Best or Good.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.