2026 Hyundai Kona Ice

2026 HYUNDAI KONA SUV N/A AWD

Overall

★★★★☆

Front Crash

★★★★☆

Side Crash

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Rollover

★★★★☆

2026 HYUNDAI KONA SUV N/A FWD

Overall

★★★★☆

Front Crash

★★★★☆

Side Crash

★★★★★

Rollover

★★★★☆

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."

Campaign: 26V047000

STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Kona vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front steering knuckles may crack and break, which can result in a loss of vehicle steering control.

Campaign: 26V069000

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.

Campaign: 26V452000

SEAT BELTS

I purchased this vehicle new on July 28, 2026. NHTSA Recall 26V-452 / Hyundai Recall 306 was dated July 13, 2026, and the VIN showed the recall as incomplete when I discovered it. The dealer states that it was unaware of the recall at the time of sale. I am reporting this to document that a new vehicle was delivered to me while this safety recall was unrepaired. I intend to have the recall repair completed.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and went into LIMP Mode before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted and resumed normal functionality. While depressing the accelerator, the vehicle lunged forward. The contact depressed the brake pedal and regained control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 770.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Car went into a limp mode several times, potentially could cause major accident. Towed to dealer who found nothing wrong. Would not give me loaner. I had to sell the Kona in order to have a car, car was bought new had 770 mikes on it. What can I do?

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Coke spill in cup holders caused a leak to the wiring harness below the center console. It drained the battery, shut down all of the buttons on the steering wheel and shut the infotainment system down. It finally died and had to be towed to Vann York Hyundai in Highpoint NC. They told me that because it was cased by an outside influence it's not covered by the warranty and estimated $800 labor for repair. The leak is a defect.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES

On April 20, 2026 I was pulling into a parking space. I began to break but something went terribly wrong. My car accelerated on it's own, went over the curb and crashed into a building. Three air bags deployed: two on the drivers side of the car (front and side air bag) and one in the back seat behind the driver (the side air bag). I had a [XXX] in the back seat behind the passenger side of the car in a car seat. I was told at the time of the incident that there was not structural damage to the building that was hit. I have asked my insurance company to inspect the car for any malfunctions but they won't. They deem it totaled and say I am at fault because it's my responsibility to control my car. The police arrived but they did not inspect the car either. I have contacted the dealership (Parkway Hyundai), but they are of no help either. There were not warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. However, I did notice recently that when I put my foot on the break to start the car that sometimes the break was very stiff and other times it was not. I thought it strange but thought it was just the way my car was. My insurance is Progressive. Claim # XXX INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Hyundai needs to eliminate the “CONSIDER TAKING A COFFEE BREAK “ alert! Its completely distracting, comes in way too frequently, and is loud

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I bought the car in November 2025. I was on a highway, going at a comfortable, 65 mph speed (a few weeks after purchasing this happened the first time ). Suddenly, the car stopped accelerating, of course I panicked, slowly pulled off to the shoulder, and shut the car off. Luckily, it was not rush hour . I restarted the car, and it was normal driving. I texted my salesperson and asked if he had heard about this issue. He said no. No warning lights or messages appeared as that happened. The speed had decreased and stayed at 36 mph for a few seconds. A few weeks later, it happened again, this time it stayed at around 36 mph. I pulled over and shut the car off, restarted, and no issues. This time I told my salesperson I wanted to bring it in, but they had a one-month wait and offered no help, didn't seem phased or concerned. I took the appointment for February 17, which was approximately a 4-week wait. Again, no lights or warning signals. The third time this happened I was merging on to a very busy ramp to enter a busy highway, and the speed stopped at 11 mph, and I panicked, pulled over restarted the car and that was enough for me to call and insist they take the car as soon as possible, as we were expecting a major snowstorm which did happen the next day. I did not take the car out and brought it in to the dealer on Monday. Again, they seemed unconcerned but took the car after I insisted. The car has been there for 2-weeks now and they claim they cannot find a problem. I called Hyundai corporate. After investigating, they too said there was nothing they could do since they could not find a problem. I may add that while this is happening I am stepping on the gas and nothing happens.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, an inspector discovered a puddle of fuel on the ground underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the hood insulation was damaged, and the fuel lines were punctured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that two other GSA fleet vehicles of the same year, make, and model, as well as a coworker who owns a 2025 Hyundai Konda had experienced the same failure. The contact related the failure to rodents chewing the organic-based fuel lines. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 900.

POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES

Body: The hood/Under the hood: There is a wide ½“ or more gap on the right and left side of the hood. I can see inside under the hood from a distance. It is not flush while connecting to the rest of the vehicle. I can see the ground after opening the hood. The engine and all the components are exposed to the elements. This is a new vehicle from the dealership brand. There is no cover for the bottom to protect the engine or protection for wirings and other mechanisms under the hood. Winters in Illinois is brutal and floods. Poor acceleration and Brakes Restriction while steering experienced dragging sounds and forced pushing and pulling. I do not trust the steering wheel mechanism at all and have to grip it to make sure I keep complete control of the steering wheel and fearful of the reliability of the breaks because I have experience being pulled or pushed while merging and having to panicky while using the brakes. I must press extremely hard to brake in slow traffic and use extreme hard brake to slow to a complete stop during rush hours. Fuel performance is horrible. This model requires gasoline. When I feel my vehicle up with fuel the tank is a fuel guzzler. The fuel disappears in days. I must refill the tank once a week. This car does not have good mileage. Doors All the doors automatically unlock when put in park. Fuel performance is horrible. This model requires gasoline. When I feel my vehicle up with fuel the tank is a fuel guzzler. The fuel disappears in days. I must refill the tank once a week. This car does not have good mileage. The steering mechanism is terrorizing my driving experience. Merging and changing lanes while driving in traffic I experience resistance and restriction. Inside the front panel Inside the car appears to have glitches such as the temperature settings flipping from inside/outside air. The radio shuts down. Window fluid splatters the entire windshield obstructing view. Purchased 2025