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2018 Hyundai Kona Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2018 Hyundai Kona has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “LED headlight glare.” Hyundai's owner's manual splits service into Normal and Severe schedules. Most US drivers qualify as Severe due to short trips, extreme temperatures, or stop-and-go traffic. Hyundai Assurance covers the first 3 years / 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance on new vehicles. The Theta II 2.0L and 2.4L engines (2011-2019) are subject to TSBs around oil consumption — strict adherence to oil intervals matters.

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2018 Hyundai Kona.

Reported to NHTSA

LED headlight glare

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

3 NHTSA complaints · 2018-12 → 2019-01

“WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT 98 % OF ONCOMING DRIVERS FLASH THEIR LIGHTS AT ME TO INDICATE THAT I HAD FORGOTTEN TO DIM MY LIGHTS WHEN IN FACT I DID NOT HAVE MY HIGH BEAMS ENGAGED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11165034
“I AM REQUESTING INVESTIGATION INTO EXCESS GLARE FROM LED HEADLIGHTS ON THE KONA LIMITED MODEL, YEAR 2018 FOR THOSE MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO JUNE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11163177
“I BECAME AWARE THAT THE INITIAL KONA SE AND SEL'S SUBMITTED TO THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY (IIHS) FAILED FOR INSUFFICIENT HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11163199

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Excessive oil consumption and engine stalling

ENGINE

38 NHTSA complaints · 2021-02 → 2026-07

“I am having issues with my oil consumption and my car is going through a quart of oil every 1-1.5 weeks. There have been similar recalls on the 2019 Kona’s which have the same 1.6L 4-cylinder engine. My car is currently a little over 126,000 miles”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11704368
“The engine burns too much oil. I have to put it a quart every 2 weeks”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11682485
“Piston ring failure. No oil in car and no leaks. P0301 code and knocking sound. Unable to drive”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11682651

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine compartment fire

ENGINE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2020-01 → 2025-07

“Pulled into driveway and saw smoke coming from engine. Popped hood and saw engine block was on fire. Quickly closed the hood and called 911. Within a few minutes the car was completely engulfed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11548762
“We had parked our 17 year old son's car in the upper parking lot of our baseball field. While parked, the engine smoked, then spontaneously caught fire”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11467695
“WAS DRIVING HYUNDAI KONA DOWN THE FREEWAY. I SMELLED A BURNING SMELL, I SAW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BLINK ONCE. THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND I STARTED PULLING OVER TO THE SHOULDER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11300596

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Blind-spot and forward-collision warning false shutoff

UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2018-11 → 2019-03

“FCA WARNINGS COME ON WHEN ONLY NORTHBOUND ON THE CAUSEWAY IN LOUISIANA. HAPPENS DAILY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11151515
“3RD TIME NOW CONCERNING BCW (BLIND COLLISION WARNING) SHUTTING OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS , NO GRIME/MUD/SNOW/BAD WEATHER TO BE THE BLAME. THE SYSTEM JUST SHUTS DOWN AUTOMATICALLY LEAVING A ORANGE SAFETY TRIANGLE ILLUMINATED ON DASH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11150759
“BCW (BLIND COLLISION WARNING) NOW FOR THE SECOND TIME ABOUT 3000 MILES APART FROM THE FIRST TIME AT 8960 AND NOW AT 11246 AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING IN PERFECT WEATHER, NO GRIME OR MUD ANYWHERE NEAR OR ON THE SENSORS IN REAR BUMPER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11145203

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical system and infotainment malfunction

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

5 NHTSA complaints · 2019-05 → 2024-04

“After turning my car off and opening the door radio does not shut off. The radio stay on. And backup camera does not work. You have to keep un”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11580606
“I have a 2018 Hyundai Kona, with approximately 42,000 miles on it. The right front passenger door began having problems sometime in 2022”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11547495
“TL* THE CONTACT OWN 2018 HYUNDAI KONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNSTATED FAILURES WITH THE INTERIOR LIGHTING, HEADLIGHTS AND REAR TAIL LIGHTS. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN STEERING FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11382927

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Driver airbag non-deployment in frontal crash

AIR BAGS

2 NHTSA complaints · 2018-07 → 2024-02

“I had a car collision last [XXX] when the car ahead of me made a sudden stop in the [XXX] . I was in the fastest lane when it happened and I was not protected at all because the airbag did not deploy”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11569371
“UNKNOWN TYPE OF AIRBAG. THE OTHER BAG DEPLOYED. I HIT SEVERAL TREES , ONE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. THE MAIN DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING ME TO BE THROWN FORWARD AND RECEIVED HORRIFIC INJURY TO MY HEAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11110180

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 3,750 mi

Severe service: every 3,750 miles. Normal service: 7,500 miles. Theta II 2.0L/2.4L (Sonata, Santa Fe, Tucson 2011-2019): never extend — oil consumption issues are documented in Hyundai TSBs.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. AWD Tucson and Santa Fe owners benefit from rotation at 5,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, calipers, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Elantra and Sonata front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 24 months. Required to maintain ABS and ESC pump life.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Severe service or dusty conditions: 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Severe service: every 30,000 miles. Normal: 60,000 miles. Use Hyundai SP-IV or SPH-IV — substitutes can cause harsh shifting and torque converter damage.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on Theta II, Lambda II, and Smartstream engines. 1.6T (Veloster N, Kona N): 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Hyundai Long-Life Coolant (pink): first change at 60,000 miles, then every 30,000. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it damages the cylinder head gasket on GDI engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on most Hyundai models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Replace at 90,000 miles on most models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

11 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

9

complaints mentioning a crash

10

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2018 Hyundai Kona reflects Hyundai's published service intervals and the Service Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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