2023 Hyundai Kona: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
The 2023 Hyundai Kona has 61 NHTSA complaints and 1 recall, with electrical faults as the top issue. Current data includes 61 complaints, with Electrical Faults as the top reported area.
2023 Hyundai Kona Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated energy efficiency for the 2023 Hyundai Kona. Values shown in MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent).
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 6 trims analysed.
2023 Hyundai Kona Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2023 Hyundai Kona SUV AWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
13.6% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
13.6% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
HYUNDAI KONA 2023 has 61 NHTSA complaints, with electrical faults (24) and forward collision avoidance issues (12) being most common. One recall is recorded. Buyers should inspect these systems before purchase. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Hyundai
- Model
- Kona
- Model year
- 2023
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 61
- Crash-related complaints
- 4
- Safety recall campaigns
- 1
- Top reported component
- Electrical Faults
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPGe combined
- 32
- EPA MPGe city / highway
- 29 / 35
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electric range (miles)
- 258
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2023 Hyundai Kona Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Electrical Faults
Uncategorized Issues
Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB
Complaint patterns center on Electrical Faults, Uncategorized Issues, Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2023 Hyundai Kona?
The 2023 Kona has notable complaint patterns, especially electrical and AEB problems. Given low confidence, it may be worth considering only with thorough inspection and recall verification.
Electrical faults and AEB issues can affect reliability and safety, leading to unexpected repairs or reduced functionality.
May Suit
This year may suit buyers who prioritize modern features and are willing to perform extra due diligence on reported issues.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers seeking maximum reliability and minimal risk of electrical or AEB problems should consider other years or models.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2023 Hyundai Kona
Inspection Focus
- Check electrical system for any warning lights or malfunctions.
- Test forward collision avoidance system operation.
- Inspect transmission for smooth shifting and any unusual behavior.
Before You Close the Deal
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for electrical and AEB-related repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on electrical and transmission systems.
- Test drive to check for unintended acceleration or transmission issues.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2023 Hyundai Kona, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2023 Hyundai Kona shows a high number of electrical faults (24 complaints) and forward collision avoidance issues (12 complaints). With only one model year analyzed and a low confidence level, buyers should be cautious. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
Year context: Only the 2023 model year was analyzed, so no direct comparison to other years is available.
Recall context: One recall indicates a known issue that should be verified as repaired before purchase.
- Electrical faults account for 24 of 61 total complaints.
- Forward collision avoidance (AEB) has 12 complaints.
- Unintended acceleration has 7 complaints.
- Electrical Faults (24 complaints)
- Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB (12 complaints)
- Transmission / Drivetrain (10 complaints)
All 2023 Hyundai Kona Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2023 Hyundai Kona. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 24 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 17 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 12 | 3 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2023 Hyundai Kona. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle hesitated before driving forward. The Engine START/STOP feature was engaged. The contact stated that the ESC warning light was illu…
My horn is not working again. It was replaced when I initially got the Kona in 2023. It did not work coming out of the dealership. And now again it is back to not working. This is a liability and also a danger to my children.
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 fail…
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 i…
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 of…
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 appea…
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‑coll…
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…
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 wou…
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 dealer…
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 t…
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 …
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,…
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.
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2023 Hyundai Kona.
2023 Hyundai Kona Recalls
1 campaignNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2023 Hyundai Kona. One recall indicates a known issue that should be verified as repaired before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2023 Hyundai Kona Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2023 Hyundai Kona reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 61 owner complaints, 4 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign for this model year. The 2023 Kona has notable complaint patterns, especially electrical and AEB problems. Given low confidence, it may be worth considering only with thorough inspection and recall verification. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Hyundai Kona?▾
#1: Electrical Faults (24 complaints). #2: Uncategorized Issues (17 complaints). #3: Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB (12 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2023 Hyundai Kona?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2023 Hyundai Kona?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2023 Hyundai Kona, NHTSA complaints include 4 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 61 total complaints. 3 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2023 Hyundai Kona have any recalls?▾
Yes. 1 NHTSA recall campaign affect the 2023 Hyundai Kona. A major recall area is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:PUMP. One recall indicates a known issue that should be verified as repaired before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2023 Hyundai Kona?▾
The 2023 Kona has notable complaint patterns, especially electrical and AEB problems. Given low confidence, it may be worth considering only with thorough inspection and recall verification. Electrical faults and AEB issues can affect reliability and safety, leading to unexpected repairs or reduced functionality. Pay extra attention to Electrical Faults during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Hyundai Kona reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2023 Hyundai Kona based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.