2022 Hyundai Kona Safety Report
Hyundai Kona Horn Malfunction: Common and Persistent Issue
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2022 Hyundai Kona
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2022 Hyundai Kona. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Low (0) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (88) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 2 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2025 | Compare against the 2025 Hyundai Kona with 20 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Hyundai Kona before buying across this generation. |
Hyundai Kona Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Hyundai Kona years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Hyundai Kona | 59 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Hyundai Kona | 102 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2024 Hyundai Kona | 35 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Hyundai Kona | 140 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2025 Hyundai Kona | 20 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Hyundai Kona | 170 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2022 Hyundai Kona Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2022 Hyundai Kona, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
18 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Hyundai onlyUnknown Or Other
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Hyundai onlyElectrical System,Unknown Or Other
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other issues Hyundai onlyElectrical System
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Hyundai onlyPower Train
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Hyundai onlyVehicle Speed Control,Forward Collision Avoidance
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Vehicle Speed Control,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Hyundai onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2022 Hyundai Kona
Reliability Score
The 2022 Hyundai Kona receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2022 Hyundai Kona
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2022 Hyundai Kona
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2022 Hyundai Kona:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horn Failure The horn on the 2022 Hyundai Kona has failed multiple times, requiring replacement. This is a common and persistent issue, especially around 60,000 miles. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine And Power Train Issues Issues with shaved metals during oil changes and cooling system failures have been reported, indicating potential engine and power train problems. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2022 Hyundai Kona:
Horn malfunctions are the most common issue, with 80% of reports.
Engine issues, such as shaved metals during oil changes, are less common but still reported.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2022 Hyundai Kona
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2022 Hyundai Kona with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes.
I found a lot of shaved metals when I did the oil change for the Gear Reduction. It made a lot of noises when driving or the wheel of fortune sounds whether the car is in Regenerative Braking. The sounds developed as time goes on but Hyundai failed to recall this issue. I found this has been an ongoing issue since 2019 when Hyundai make this Kona EV, but their engineers didn’t fix this type of is...
The vehicle displayed a warning lamp indicating a Cooling System Performance failure. The specific defect relates to the Integrated Thermal-Management Module (ITM) and the thermostat opening prematurely, corresponding to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P218100. This issue requires a repair outlined in Technical Service Bulletin 25-EM-007H, involving a spring installation and ECU update. This failur...
December 2025: Yet ANOTHER horn failure. Pressed the vehicle's horn to alert another driver that they were drifting into my lane on the highway, and it FAILED to produce the loud sound that it is SUPPOSED TO make. It needed to be replaced again for the FOURTH time. Part 96611-J9500 was replaced—AGAIN. This is a continued safety issue that Hyundai has neglected to address and fix. Spontaneous horn ...
August 2024: Horn malfunction/failure. Pressed the car's horn, and it FAILED to produce the loud sound that it is SUPPOSED TO make to warn others of possible danger. It continued to not work and needed to be replaced for the third time. Part 96611-J9500 (Horn Assembly) was replaced for the THIRD time on this vehicle.
JANUARY 2024: HORN FAILURE. Pressed the car's horn, and it FAILED to produce the loud sound that it is SUPPOSED TO make to warn others of possible DANGER. It continued to not work and needed to be replaced. Part 96611-J9500 was replaced AGAIN.
February 2023: horn failure. Pressed the car's horn, and it FAILED to produce the loud sound that it is SUPPOSED TO make to warn others of possible danger. It continued to not work and needed to be replaced. Part 96611-J9500 was replaced.
Hyundai has multiple complaints regarding Horn malfunction in the Hyundai Kona. I went to use my horn today to prevent an accident and found my horn does not work. I have checked my fuses and relays and neither are blown leading to the horn to be unable for use
Horn was going in and out of working for the first few months after purchase. Now the horn does not work at all. It is not the fuse. As seeing through other complaints this is a very common problem and should be on Hyundai to fix.
I had the radiator replaced by the Ourisman Hyundai Laurel dealership on 10/1/25. Radiator replacement was under warranty. On 10/4/25car overheated while driving. I pulled the car over and called for a tow truck. Car was leaking lots of coolant. Brought it to service center at Ourisman Hyundai Laurel, they stated “the hose to the thermostat was not all the way on. Put hose on correctly no more lea...
The horn on my 2022 Hyundai Kona has failed multiple times. It has been replaced twice already, and it has stopped working again at around 65,000 miles. This is a serious safety concern as I am unable to alert other drivers in emergency situations. The repeated failure of the horn suggests a possible defect in the electrical system or horn assembly. I am requesting an investigation into this issue...
When I purchased the car with in 2 weeks epb , auto hold and auto stop all 3 lights on dashboard came on orange. Took to dealership and they fixed the problem. 4 months later now the lights are back on. The vehicle does not feel safe at pulls to the right , I have problems with my ac as well as my transmission is slipping. The car loses power when I accelerate. I believe was sold a lemon car I pu...
On Saturday, [XXX], while driving on the highway, the oil plug on my vehicle suddenly fell out, causing all the oil to drain rapidly. This created an extreme safety hazard not only for myself but also for other drivers on the road. I did not notice the oil spillage until the oil light on the dash appeared. At the time, I was in the leftmost lane traveling at highway speeds, so I could not stop imm...
My horn on my car has went out the first time and now it just went out again and it’s a manufacturing issue! Hyundai refuses to fix it because it’s not under warranty anymore! And it’s so dangerous now since I don’t have a horn again! I should have not have to fix it when it’s not my fault! And other people have the same issue with your Kona’s to! The dealership even told me that’s it’s been an is...
When I first brought the car for its first service appointment (6 months after purchase), I informed the service dept at the dealership that the car seemed to accelerate itself when I was driving. They said they hit a reset button and that I shouldn't have any more problems. What I found was that the car then drove sluggishly but it did not accelerate anymore. Recently however (2.5 years into t...
The horn is not working. On forums for this specific car it is a common problem for this make and model. This means I cannot alert other cars or pedestrians
For the second time in 6months, the horn has stopped working. Coastal Hyundai in Melbourne FL replaced the first horn on 1/14/2025. On [XXX], the horn has stopped working again. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
I purchased a 2022 Hyundai Kona brand new, and since day one it has had serious performance issues — specifically, harsh jolting during acceleration and occasional stalling. These symptoms are dangerous, especially when driving in traffic, merging, or crossing intersections. I discovered that a recall existed prior to my purchase, but it was not performed until after nearly two service visits — e...
I believe it’s a barring in the engine but it is like a knocking.
Radiator is failing between 60k and 70k miles with no check engine lights. Leaking an entire reservoir of coolant within a 24hr time period. Even when the temperature gage went above the middle mark and to the 3/4 mark the check engine light never came on.
Showing 20 of 88 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2022 Hyundai Kona
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Electrical System:Propulsion System
Opened 2023-01-27 · Closed 2023-08-07
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-spe...
Component: Engine
Opened 2022-09-12 · Closed 2023-12-12
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2022 Hyundai Kona
Has the 2022 HYUNDAI KONA been recalled?
No, the 2022 HYUNDAI KONA has no recalls on record with NHTSA as of our latest data update.
How many complaints does the 2022 HYUNDAI KONA have?
The 2022 HYUNDAI KONA has 88 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2022 HYUNDAI KONA?
The 2022 HYUNDAI KONA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2022 HYUNDAI KONA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2022 HYUNDAI KONA involve engine (18 complaints), unknown or other (10 complaints), electrical system,unknown or other (7 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system, power train, vehicle speed control,forward collision avoidance.
How many crash reports does the 2022 HYUNDAI KONA have?
There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2022 HYUNDAI KONA out of 88 total complaints (2.3% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2022 HYUNDAI KONA have?
There are no fire reports for the 2022 HYUNDAI KONA in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2022 HYUNDAI KONA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2022 HYUNDAI KONA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2022 HYUNDAI KONA?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2022 HYUNDAI KONA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2022 HYUNDAI KONA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2022 HYUNDAI KONA is acceptable with caveats. It has 88 complaints, 0 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2022 HYUNDAI KONA?
The components with the most failures on the 2022 HYUNDAI KONA are: 1. ENGINE (18 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (10 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER (7 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (6 complaints), 5. POWER TRAIN (5 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 18 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2022 HYUNDAI KONA?
Be aware of potential horn malfunctions and engine issues, especially around 60,000 miles. The 2022 HYUNDAI KONA has 88 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2022 HYUNDAI KONA?
The 2022 HYUNDAI KONA receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 88 owner complaints, 0 recalls, and 2 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Horn Failure and Engine and Power Train Issues.
What are the known issues with the 2022 HYUNDAI KONA?
Known issues with the 2022 HYUNDAI KONA include: Horn Failure, Engine and Power Train Issues. These are based on patterns found across 88 NHTSA complaints.
Why is the horn failing on my Hyundai Kona?
The horn is failing due to a common manufacturing issue, which has been reported multiple times.
What should I do if my horn fails?
Replace the horn and consider contacting the dealership for a warranty claim if it's within the warranty period.
Are there any signs of engine issues in the Hyundai Kona?
Shaved metals during oil changes and cooling system failures are signs of potential engine and power train issues.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential horn malfunctions and engine issues, especially around 60,000 miles.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2022 Hyundai Kona
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2022 Hyundai Kona. The data includes 88 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2022 Hyundai Kona an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16