Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Elantra vs Hyundai KONA
How the Hyundai Elantra and Hyundai KONA compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Hyundai Elantra vs Hyundai KONA: The Elantra has 1962 complaints over 10 years (196/year) and 26 recalls, while the KONA has 799 complaints over 9 years (89/year) and 15 recalls. Both report engine and electrical issues, but the KONA has fewer crash-related reports (45 vs 113). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Elantra or Hyundai KONA more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra is a compact sedan that has averaged about 196 complaints per year over the past decade, with engine issues dominating owner reports. Many complaints describe stalling, loss of power, and electrical glitches that can affect steering and instrumentation. With 26 recalls and 113 crash-related reports, it demands careful inspection before purchase.
Hyundai KONA
The Hyundai KONA is a subcompact SUV with a lower complaint rate of about 89 per year over nine years. Engine problems are also the most common, but owners frequently report sudden engine shutdowns and loss of drive power. It has fewer recalls (15) and crash reports (45) than the Elantra, but the failures described can be equally serious.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Elantra | Hyundai KONA |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,962 | 799 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 26 | 15 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 113 | 45 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 196.2 | 88.8 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 79 | 48 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 5 | 1 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Hyundai Elantra
- 01ENGINE725
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER330
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM306
- 04POWER TRAIN171
- 05STRUCTURE169
Owners report stalling at low speeds, such as while pulling into a driveway, and the vehicle rolling back even with the brake applied. This can lead to crashes, as one complaint describes hitting a parked truck.
Complaints include the radio screen blacking out, a burning plastic smell, and the tachometer, odometer, and power steering failing while driving. These glitches can distract the driver and make the car hard to control.
Some owners describe the car becoming unstable and bouncy, with poor steering and difficulty coasting smoothly. This suggests potential issues with the transmission or drivetrain that affect everyday driving.
There are complaints about fragile VIN stickers on body panels, which can fall off or be damaged, causing identification problems. While not a safety defect, it can create hassles with registration and resale.
“The control panel /radio panel has had a glitch or blacked out screen where it wouldn't come back on for a few hours and I could smell electrical or plastic burning after it did come back on after that the radio started changing channel on its own while scree…”
“The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while his wife was pulling into a customer's driveway at 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled and rolled back and crashed into a parked Ford F-150. The brake pedal was applied, but the vehicle failed to r…”
Hyundai KONA
- 01ENGINE413
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER138
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM137
- 04POWER TRAIN99
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE59
Owners report the engine seizing while driving, with a message to 'Turn off Engine and Restart Engine,' and the car shutting off randomly, locking up steering. This can leave you stranded and unable to control the vehicle.
Complaints include the liftgate bolt buckling and the system not backing away when an object is detected, as well as drivetrain problems like grinding noises and loss of drive power. These issues can affect both safety and reliability.
Owners describe the engine roaring and dropping, causing jarring back-and-forth motion, and one report mentions the engine blowing up in a brand-new car. This indicates potential serious mechanical failures.
Some complaints mention false warnings or braking activations, such as the system engaging on windy or pothole-filled roads without an obstacle. This can startle the driver and potentially cause a loss of control.
“The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message to “Turn off Engine and Restart Engine” was displayed and the engine seized. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving on a b…”
“The car shuts off at random times during me driving . Its like the car locks up steering and shuts completely down . Have to pull over and give the car time . And it shuts back on in and drives with poor accelerate after each issuse. The car is now shaking an…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Hyundai Elantra — 26 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Elantra N, 2026 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), and Elantra vehicles. The B-pillar impact sensors may have been misassembled, which can delay air bag deployment.
The risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the impact sensor(s), as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 11, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 2…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Elantra Hybrid vehicles. The hybrid power control unit (HPCU) assembly may overheat.
The risk: Overheating in the HPCU increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will update the HPCU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 301. Vehicle Identification Numb…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Elantra, Venue, and Kona vehicles. An electrical short circuit may occur in the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve assembly, which can result in a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 28, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 260.
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Elantra and Elantra HEV vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front passenger-side seat belt pretensioner may explode upon deployment.
The risk: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 19, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 220. This recall is a…
Hyundai KONA — 15 recalls
The defect: 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.
The risk: A seat belt buckle that fails to properly restrain an occupant in a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: 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 H…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Kona vehicles. The seat belt assemblies in the right and left rear seats may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupation Crash Protecti…
The risk: A seat belt that does not function properly may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 21, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recal…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Kona vehicles. The 12-Volt battery cables may chafe against the engine control module bracket and short circuit during a crash.
The risk: A short circuit increases the risk of an engine compartment fire.
The fix: Dealers will install sheathing over the wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 252.
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Elantra, Venue, and Kona vehicles. An electrical short circuit may occur in the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve assembly, which can result in a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 28, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 260.
Buyer analysis
Hyundai Elantra or Hyundai KONA: which should you buy?
The Hyundai KONA has fewer issues per year (about 89 complaints) compared to the Elantra (about 196), suggesting it may be less troublesome overall. However, both models have reports of serious engine and electrical failures, so the difference is not absolute. In practice, a KONA might require fewer repair visits, but each vehicle should be inspected carefully.
Key differences
- The Elantra has more than double the annual complaint rate of the KONA, with engine issues being the top category for both.
- Elantra owners frequently report electrical glitches like screen blackouts and burning smells, while KONA owners more often report sudden engine shutdowns and loss of drive power.
- The KONA has fewer recalls (15 vs. 26) and fewer crash-related reports (45 vs. 113), but both have had seat belt and engine-related recalls.
- Forward collision avoidance complaints appear in the KONA but not in the Elantra's top five, suggesting a different set of safety concerns.
- Check for any signs of electrical burning smells or a radio screen that blacks out, as these are common complaints.
- Test drive at low speeds and on inclines to see if the engine stalls or the car rolls back, a reported issue.
- Listen for engine noises like grinding or clanking, and watch for warning messages about turning off the engine.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system in various conditions to ensure it doesn't false-activate, and check for any liftgate or brake issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the engine, transmission, and electrical system for the specific issues reported by owners.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any stalling, hesitation, or unusual noises from the engine and drivetrain.
- Verify that all safety systems, including airbags, seat belts, and forward collision avoidance, are functioning properly.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and whether any engine or electrical repairs have been done.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Hyundai Elantra | Hyundai KONA |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 9 |
| 2025 | 22 | 28 |
| 2024 | 54 | 52 |
| 2023 | 98 | 65 |
| 2022 | 101 | 100 |
| 2021 | 131 | 117 |
| 2020 | 252 | 160 |
| 2019 | 251 | 193 |
| 2018 | 283 | 75 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Hyundai Elantra or Hyundai KONA in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Elantra vs Hyundai KONA
- Hyundai Elantra total complaints
- 1,962
- Hyundai KONA total complaints
- 799
- Hyundai Elantra total recalls
- 26
- Hyundai KONA total recalls
- 15
- Hyundai Elantra avg complaints/year
- 196.2
- Hyundai KONA avg complaints/year
- 88.8
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai KONA
- Hyundai Elantra top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Hyundai KONA top complaint area
- ENGINE