2018 Hyundai KONA
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2018 Hyundai KONA has 112 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.4x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (38% of all complaints), specifically: 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. stopping on the shoulder, i noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. i evacuated the car and within a few . ⚠️ 18 fire reports filed.
112
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.4x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
ENGINE
42 complaints- • 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. STOPPING ON THE SHOULDER, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. I EVACUATED THE CAR AND WITHIN A FEW
- • MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING UNEVENTFULLY DOWN A HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND PULLED OVER FOR NO OTHER REASON BUT TO GET GAS. WE HAVE A HIGH TECH BLUE LINK SYSTEM AND ONLY 17K MILES ON THE CAR. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS OR WARNINGS AT ALL. JUST AFTER PARKING AT THE GAS PUMP THE ENGINE STARTED SMOKING A
- • ON 1/13/21, VEHICLE EMITTED A BLUE SMOKE AND MISFIRED WHEN ACCELERATING FROM COMPLETE STOP FROM RURAL ROAD ONTO STATE HIGHWAY.. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CIOCCA HYUNDAI OF WILLIAMSPORT, WHERE IT HAD BEEN SERVICED 2 DAYS PRIOR. THEY REPLACED 2 SPARK PLUGS AND STATED IT WAS FINE. VEHICLE WORKED FINE UNT
“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. STOPPING ON THE SHOULDER, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. I EVACUATED THE CAR AND WITHIN A FEW ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
25 complaints- • 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. TURNS OFF WARNING TRIANGLE TURNS ON FOR APPROX 15 MINUTES
- • 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. BUTTON WAS NEVER TOUCHED EVEN IF IT WAS THERE WOULD AGAIN BE NO ERROR
- • FCA WARNINGS COME ON WHEN ONLY NORTHBOUND ON THE CAUSEWAY IN LOUISIANA. HAPPENS DAILY
“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. TURNS OFF WARNING TRIANGLE TURNS ON FOR APPROX 15 MINUTES”
— NHTSA complaint filing
TRANSMISSION
10 complaints- • 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. STOPPING ON THE SHOULDER, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. I EVACUATED THE CAR AND WITHIN A FEW
- • ON 1/13/21, VEHICLE EMITTED A BLUE SMOKE AND MISFIRED WHEN ACCELERATING FROM COMPLETE STOP FROM RURAL ROAD ONTO STATE HIGHWAY.. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CIOCCA HYUNDAI OF WILLIAMSPORT, WHERE IT HAD BEEN SERVICED 2 DAYS PRIOR. THEY REPLACED 2 SPARK PLUGS AND STATED IT WAS FINE. VEHICLE WORKED FINE UNT
- • According to the garage Piston Ring failure causing engine damage and oil consumption. Vehicle shut off while excelling on a high traffic route. Vehicle has been in the garage since 1/13/23. As of today 2/1/23 still awaiting news of engine replacement.
“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. STOPPING ON THE SHOULDER, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. I EVACUATED THE CAR AND WITHIN A FEW ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRICAL
8 complaints- • WHEN CAR SHE STARTS CAR AND IN MORNING AND NIGHT , WHEN I PUTS IN GEAR AND AND STEPS ON GAS THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER OFF AND ON UNTIL SHE GETS ON ROAD ABOUT A MILE. HAD THIS CHECK AT HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG BUT IT STILL CONTINUE TO DO THIS. THIS COULD BE HAZARD WHEN I DRIVE I
- • 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. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORT MILL
- • -On numerous occasions my map on display enlarges itself on the screen all on it’s own. The only way this can occur is if I touch the screen and enlarge it myself with my finger. -My volume in settings were changed within a minute. I selected all settings to level 38 and then when I returned to the
“WHEN CAR SHE STARTS CAR AND IN MORNING AND NIGHT , WHEN I PUTS IN GEAR AND AND STEPS ON GAS THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER OFF AND ON UNTIL SHE GETS ON ROAD ABOUT A MILE. HAD THIS CHECK AT HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG BUT IT STILL CONTINUE TO DO THIS. THIS COULD BE HAZARD WHEN I DRIVE I”
— NHTSA complaint filing
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS
5 complaints- • FCA WARNINGS COME ON WHEN ONLY NORTHBOUND ON THE CAUSEWAY IN LOUISIANA. HAPPENS DAILY
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI KONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT "BLIND SPOT HAS BEEN DISABLED" ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHORTLY AFTER, THE BLIND SPOT MONITORS TURNED OFF AND FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF FOR THE BLIND SPOT MONITORS TO WORK PROPERLY AGAI
- • UNKNOWN. AC stopped working. According to repair shop, alternator belt sliced through the aluminum housing tube and Freon cannot be recharged . It needs total rebuild/reroute of AC tubing as The position and location of alternator belt is too close to the aluminum housing/tubing for cooling system.
“FCA WARNINGS COME ON WHEN ONLY NORTHBOUND ON THE CAUSEWAY IN LOUISIANA. HAPPENS DAILY”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 112 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: 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. STOPPING ON THE SHOULDER, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. I EVACUATED THE CAR AND WITHIN A FEW
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: 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. TURNS OFF WARNING TRIANGLE TURNS ON FOR APPROX 15 MINUTES
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: 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. STOPPING ON THE SHOULDER, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. I EVACUATED THE CAR AND WITHIN A FEW
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: WHEN CAR SHE STARTS CAR AND IN MORNING AND NIGHT , WHEN I PUTS IN GEAR AND AND STEPS ON GAS THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER OFF AND ON UNTIL SHE GETS ON ROAD ABOUT A MILE. HAD THIS CHECK AT HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG BUT IT STILL CONTINUE TO DO THIS. THIS COULD BE HAZARD WHEN I DRIVE I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Hyundai KONA — Year Comparison
How does 2018 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 112
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 18
- Crash reports
- 10
- Injury reports
- 20
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2018 Hyundai KONA