2023 Hyundai Kona Safety Report
2023 Hyundai Kona Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2023 Hyundai Kona
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2023 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 | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (59) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 4 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Electrical System | Compare electrical system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2026 | Compare against the 2026 Hyundai Kona with 4 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2020 | Check the 2020 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Hyundai Kona | 35 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2022 Hyundai Kona | 88 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2025 Hyundai Kona | 20 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Hyundai Kona | 102 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2026 Hyundai Kona | 4 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Hyundai Kona | 140 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2023 Hyundai Kona Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2023 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.
Electrical System
11 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Hyundai onlyUnknown Or Other
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Hyundai onlyElectrical System,Unknown Or Other
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other issues Hyundai onlyPower Train
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Hyundai onlyForward Collision Avoidance
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Hyundai onlyLane Departure,Forward Collision Avoidance
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Lane Departure,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Hyundai onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2023 Hyundai Kona
Reliability Score
The 2023 Hyundai Kona receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2023 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 2023 Hyundai Kona
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2023 Hyundai Kona:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intermittent Horn Failure Multiple owners have reported the horn failing to work intermittently, sometimes requiring repairs. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid/Pump Issues Hyundai has issued a recall for certain models, including the 2023 Kona, due to transmission fluid/pump problems. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Liftgate Malfunction Owners have reported issues with the liftgate, including it not opening and draining the battery. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Safety System Failures There have been reports of safety systems, such as the vehicle speed control and forward collision avoidance, failing. |
Low | 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 2023 Hyundai Kona:
Issues with the horn and liftgate are the most common electrical system problems.
Automatic transmission fluid/pump issues are a significant concern.
Problems with safety features like speed control and collision avoidance have been reported.
Other issues include intermittent power loss and horn failure.
Recall Details for the 2023 Hyundai Kona
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2023 Hyundai Kona by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2023 Hyundai Kona
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2023 Hyundai Kona with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that the horn was working intermittently. The horn occasionally operated but had become permanently inoperable. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
Liftgate was clicking leaving interior lights on Drained battery- had to buy new battery! NOW Liftgate wil NOT open at all.
Dear Hyundai Motor America Consumer Affairs, I am formally escalating a safety defect involving my 2023 Hyundai Kona, VIN [XXX] , purchased [XXX]. Since the purchase, the vehicle’s horn has repeatedly failed. I have brought the car in for service multiple times, and the issue is thoroughly documented in service records and email correspondence. Despite these efforts, the defect has not been perm...
Rear latch unlocks while vehicle is running or not running up to 30 times at once. Rear latch unlocks without key being in vehicle. This has been reported to Hyundai Motor America since August 2025. The front collision warning goes off at random times, left side departure goes off at random times.
I brought vehicle in once for horn not working to dealer. They fixed it. Seven months later in a near traffic incident horn not working. Outside temperatures were below freezing at the time. Following week outside temperatures goes above freezing & horn is working again. It appears horn has an intermittent problem.
Safety system that automatically puts the car in park if a door is opened while in gear failed to apply
After a routine service visit, the vehicle’s braking and speed‑control systems began to behave abnormally. The ABS/ESC control module was replaced or reprogrammed without documentation, and immediately afterward the vehicle’s braking feel, speed‑control behavior, and forward‑collision warning timing changed noticeably. These changes created a safety risk because the vehicle no longer responded in ...
My Kona N Line is not functioning well. Especially after driving for a longer period of time. About 60% of the time, upon letting go of my brake, the car jerks. Going from 0 - 5 mph is the worst. The car definitely hesitates many times. Again, it is when I have driven it for over 10 minutes. I took the car to a service department in El Monte, CA on 11/1. They cannot find the problem. They rode wit...
I was trapped inside the liftgate of my 2023 Hyundai Kona and was unable to operate the emergency release. I had the key fob with me and the car was unlocked, but the trunk would not open from the inside. I tried sliding a standard key and a flat card into the release, but it would not engage. It was not specified that the mechanical key inside the Hyundai fob was required. The release is a small ...
The issue is the horn. On three different occasions, I've attempted to use the horn and it wasn't working. I've taken it to Hallmark Hyundai in Flowood and they've repaired and/or replaced the horn on four separate occasions. The new horn is always working when I leave the dealership, but it eventually goes out. Or it goes out for a period of time and then comes back without explanation. My most ...
Horn keeps failing
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while pressing the horn pad, the horn failed to produce a sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the horn was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the horn had been replaced four times and was scheduled for a fifth horn replacement. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The...
My car intermittently loses power when I’m driving and I almost got hit yesterday.
The horn is not working in my vehicle. I found this out today when I almost had someone collide with my vehicle while I was on the highway, not once, but twice. I was unable to use my horn to alert the other driver. I called Hyundai and they said it is not covered under warranty and this is a known issue with my vehicle. I have only had the vehicle for 3-4 months and this should not be happening. ...
Theres more than three issues going on. The car has shut off while driving at least 50 mph on the highway. Currently there's no safety features working on the car.
Dear Customer Care, I am the owner of a 2023 Hyundai Kona AWD purchased brand new from Vision Hyundai West Henrietta, NY. I paid for the vehicle in full with a cashier's check totaling over $31,000. At just 64,000 miles, the vehicle has become undrivable-experiencing loud noises, jerking, and no acceleration. I was driving and car would not move. These symptoms are clearly drivetrain-related and...
The front passenger seatbelt buckle has trouble latching when buckling seatbelt.
The horn stopped working. The first time, replacing a fuse fixed it, the second time I had to go to the dealership to get the horn replaced under warranty. There were no warning lamps.
Check engine light on DTC 218100 Code Was this vehicle included in recall?
Vehicle was service at a Hyundai Dealer for routine required maintenance to continue the warranty. Less than 24 hours later I was driving my special needs, handicap daughter to breakfast and pulled into a handicap parking space and placed my foot on the brake. The pedal seemed to not have any tension and go to the floor. The emergency collision warning went off, but the brakes did not work. Th...
Showing 20 of 59 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2023 Hyundai Kona
Has the 2023 HYUNDAI KONA been recalled?
Yes, the 2023 HYUNDAI KONA has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2023 HYUNDAI KONA have?
The 2023 HYUNDAI KONA has 59 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 4 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2023 HYUNDAI KONA?
The 2023 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 2023 HYUNDAI KONA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2023 HYUNDAI KONA involve electrical system (11 complaints), unknown or other (9 complaints), electrical system,unknown or other (4 complaints). Other affected components include power train, forward collision avoidance, lane departure,forward collision avoidance.
How many crash reports does the 2023 HYUNDAI KONA have?
There are 4 crash reports associated with the 2023 HYUNDAI KONA out of 59 total complaints (6.8% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2023 HYUNDAI KONA have?
There are no fire reports for the 2023 HYUNDAI KONA in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2023 HYUNDAI KONA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2023 HYUNDAI KONA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2023 HYUNDAI KONA?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2023 HYUNDAI KONA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2023 HYUNDAI KONA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2023 HYUNDAI KONA is acceptable with caveats. It has 59 complaints, 1 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 2023 HYUNDAI KONA?
The components with the most failures on the 2023 HYUNDAI KONA are: 1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (11 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (9 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN (4 complaints), 5. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (3 complaints). ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 11 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2023 HYUNDAI KONA?
Be aware of potential electrical system and power train issues, especially with the horn and automatic transmission. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2023 HYUNDAI KONA has 59 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2023 HYUNDAI KONA?
The 2023 HYUNDAI KONA receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 59 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 4 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Intermittent Horn Failure and Automatic Transmission Fluid/Pump Issues.
What are the known issues with the 2023 HYUNDAI KONA?
Known issues with the 2023 HYUNDAI KONA include: Intermittent Horn Failure, Automatic Transmission Fluid/Pump Issues, Liftgate Malfunction, Safety System Failures. These are based on patterns found across 59 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2023 Hyundai Kona?
The most common issues are electrical system problems, particularly with the horn and liftgate, and power train issues with the automatic transmission.
Is there a recall for the 2023 Hyundai Kona?
Yes, Hyundai has issued a recall for certain models, including the 2023 Kona, due to transmission fluid/pump problems.
What should I do if I experience horn failure?
Take your vehicle to a dealership for inspection and repair as soon as possible.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential electrical system and power train issues, especially with the horn and automatic transmission. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2023 Hyundai Kona
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2023 Hyundai Kona. The data includes 59 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 4 reported crashes, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2023 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