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2025 Hyundai Kona Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2025 Hyundai Kona carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering buckle assembly. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Electrical system power loss and no-start.” 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.

1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Campaign #26V452000 · Jul 14, 2026

Issue: 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.

Risk: A seat belt buckle that fails to properly restrain an occupant in a crash increases the risk of injury.

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 Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 306. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 15, 2026.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2025 Hyundai Kona.

Reported to NHTSA

Electrical system power loss and no-start

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 NHTSA complaints · 2024-12 → 2026-05

“The vehicle experienced a total electrical failure while driving. Dealer diagnosed the issue as a loose fuse box connector/power distribution connector”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11736013
“This is second time all electrical has gone dead in the car. First time I took car in for an update and now something is still draining the battery”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11695615
“The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond as intended, and the vehicle needed to be jump-started”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11711457

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sunroof glass shattering while driving

VISIBILITY

2 NHTSA complaints · 2025-07 → 2026-04

“The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving, she observed a loud explosion emanating from the roof of the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11734040
“I was driving on the highway around 70 to 75 MPH and suddenly the sunroof exploded. No debris impact. Just suddenly and randomly the glass just exploded and shattered”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11675763

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Door unlatching while driving

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

2 NHTSA complaints · 2025-07 → 2025-11

“While slowing down from highway speed during hot weather, the front passenger door suddenly became unlatched and partially opened. A warning alert sounded, and I had to pull the door closed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11700814
“The contact rented a 2025 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the driver's side front door independently unlatched and opened”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11670618

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal softening and false ABS activation

SERVICE BRAKES

2 NHTSA complaints · 2025-07 → 2026-06

“Component or System: The brake system, specifically what appears to be a false ABS activation or IEB (Integrated Electronic Brake) system malfunction”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11743594
“Mushy brake pedal after 1000 miles This just started yesterday, seemingly out of nowhere. When I push the brake pedal it's mushier than it used to be”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11671351

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Powertrain hesitation and loss of drive power

POWER TRAIN

4 NHTSA complaints · 2025-06 → 2026-06

“Transmission issues with this vehicle since 70 miles. Failed at 989 miles”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11666179
“Engine light was on - I was told by Belmont Enterprise on Sept 17th to keep driving the vehicle even though it needed repairs immediately”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11699974
“Power train the engine roars up and drops jarring you back and forth second car within a yr first blew up brand new both and Hyundia and dealership blew me off”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11745464

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Cruise control speed and braking malfunction

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2025-09 → 2026-05

“My forward collision warning activates without cause. My automatic braking systems will engage”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11739784
“While the cruise is set, traveling on I44 with no other car in front of my Kona, the adaptive cruise control will start to flash and apply brakes immediately”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11718329
“The cruise control operation is unusual and the speed can vary greatly while it's engaged in moderately hilly terrain (not extreme) on the interstate ([XXX] through Kentucky and Tennessee)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11689044

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

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)

No occupant deaths in FARS 2010–2024 crashes are on record for this year and model. That is the census answer for the window, and it says nothing more than that.

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.

2

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls 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 2025 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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