YearToAvoid

2025 Hyundai Kona Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

43/100

#5 most-complained of 8 Kona years

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

The 2025 Hyundai Kona has a complaint index of 43 and ranks 5th worst out of 8 model years, earning a Good verdict. It has 28 complaints, 1 recall, and no do-not-drive recalls, with electrical system issues the top concern.

Complaints
28
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
28
26.5 city / 30.5 hwy

Top 2025 Hyundai Kona problems

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

  1. Electrical System10 (36%)
  2. Other6 (21%)
  3. Engine5 (18%)
  4. Structure & Body5 (18%)
  5. Brakes4 (14%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain4 (14%)
  7. Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (11%)
  8. Airbags2 (7%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (7%)
  10. Fuel System1 (4%)

What owners report

  • Some drivers report the vehicle veering or steering unexpectedly at low speed, possibly tied to lane-assist malfunction.
  • Airbags reportedly deployed but then deflated and became inoperable after a crash.
  • Owners describe sudden, brief loss of exterior and interior lighting along with seat belt warning lights while driving.
  • A driver's side front door reportedly unlatched and opened on its own at highway speed.
  • One driver's seat reportedly ejected forward into the steering wheel upon entry with no warning light.
  • Owners describe the brake pedal feeling mushy and sinking toward the floor under light or firm pressure.
  • Multiple owners report the vehicle's electrical system going completely dead, sometimes requiring a jump start, at low mileage.
2025 Hyundai Kona complaints: complaints filed per month11Dec 2024Jun 2025Aug 2025Oct 2025Jan 2026Apr 2026Jun 2026
45 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2024 to Jul 2026; peak Feb 2026 (11).

2025 Hyundai Kona recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V452000Jul 14, 2026Seat Belts47,787 vehicles

    Seat belts: rear/other:buckle assembly

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Kona Electric and 2024-2026 Kona vehicles. The seat belt buckle in the rear center seat may fail to properly restrain an occupant during a crash.

    Risk: A seat belt buckle that fails to properly restrain an occupant in a crash increases the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Passengers are advised not to use the rear center seat until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 306. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 15, 2026.

2025 Hyundai Kona fuel economy and fuel cost

City
26.5 MPG
Highway
30.5 MPG
Combined
28 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,300
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.

2025 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
2023Caution2965130
2024Caution5751428
2025Good4328128

All Hyundai Kona years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2025 Hyundai Kona reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2025 Kona a complaint index of 43, ranking it 5th worst among 8 model years with a Good verdict relative to other Kona years.
What problems does the 2025 Hyundai Kona have?
The top reported problem area is the Electrical System, accounting for 36% of complaints, followed by Engine and Structure & Body issues each at 18%. Median mileage at failure for electrical complaints was 7,030.
Does the 2025 Hyundai Kona have a recall?
Yes, there is 1 recall (campaign 26V452000) covering a rear center seat belt buckle that may fail to properly restrain an occupant in a crash. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2025 Kona compare to other model years?
The 2025 Kona's complaint index of 43 is lower than the 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024 model years, but higher than the 2018 and 2022 Best-rated years and the 2023 Caution year.
What is the fuel economy of the 2025 Hyundai Kona?
The 2025 Kona gets 28 mpg combined (26.5 city / 30.5 highway) per EPA, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300.

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.