2025 Hyundai Kona problems

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The dash will completely go black except for red words *no signal.* and all warnings are no longer visible, I cannot tell what speed I’m going, or what percentage battery my car is at. I don’t see visible lane or collision warnings. It is very unsafe and I have been to the dealership twice to try and fix it. The issue returned both times.

NHTSA complaint #11752687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The dash will completely go black except for red words *no signal.* and all warnings are no longer visible, I cannot tell what speed I’m going, or what percentage battery my car is at. I don’t see visible lane or collision warnings. It is very unsafe and I have been to the dealership twice to try and fix it. The issue returned both times.

NHTSA complaint #11752687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

The dash will completely go black except for red words *no signal.* and all warnings are no longer visible, I cannot tell what speed I’m going, or what percentage battery my car is at. I don’t see visible lane or collision warnings. It is very unsafe and I have been to the dealership twice to try and fix it. The issue returned both times.

NHTSA complaint #11752687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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

NHTSA complaint #11745464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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

NHTSA complaint #11745464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

NHTSA complaint #11745464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Component or System: The brake system, specifically what appears to be a false ABS activation or IEB (Integrated Electronic Brake) system malfunction. The component is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: While braking at speeds between 25-40 mph, typically on dry pavement and more frequently on downhill grades, the brake pedal exhibits a chugging sensation, erratic stopping behavior, and pedal softening consistent with unintended ABS activation or IEB malfunction. This occurs on dry roads where ABS activation is neither warranted nor expected, creating unpredictable braking response and extended stopping distances. The defect has occurred 24 documented times since [XXX], and existed prior to that date. Dealer Confirmation: Yes. During a ride-along at Edmond Hyundai on [XXX], a technician directly witnessed and confirmed the occurrence. Despite this confirmation, it was not documented on the repair order. Two prior repair attempts returned cannot-reproduce results: March 2, 2026 at Bob Howard Hyundai and March 10, 2026 at Edmond Hyundai. Additional Repair/Inspection Attempts: On April 7, 2026, Norman Hyundai opened and closed a repair order without the consumer's knowledge and refused to provide a copy despite an explicit request. On May 23, 2026, a scheduled appointment at Bob Howard Hyundai was missed; a reschedule request was subsequently ignored by the dealership. HMA Case No. [XXX] is active. Warning Lamps or Prior Symptoms: No warning lamps have illuminated. The defect presents exclusively as a physical sensation—pedal/brake chugging, softening, and erratic stopping during normal dry-pavement braking. The issue has been present since delivery on [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11743594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Component or System: The brake system, specifically what appears to be a false ABS activation or IEB (Integrated Electronic Brake) system malfunction. The component is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: While braking at speeds between 25-40 mph, typically on dry pavement and more frequently on downhill grades, the brake pedal exhibits a chugging sensation, erratic stopping behavior, and pedal softening consistent with unintended ABS activation or IEB malfunction. This occurs on dry roads where ABS activation is neither warranted nor expected, creating unpredictable braking response and extended stopping distances. The defect has occurred 24 documented times since [XXX], and existed prior to that date. Dealer Confirmation: Yes. During a ride-along at Edmond Hyundai on [XXX], a technician directly witnessed and confirmed the occurrence. Despite this confirmation, it was not documented on the repair order. Two prior repair attempts returned cannot-reproduce results: March 2, 2026 at Bob Howard Hyundai and March 10, 2026 at Edmond Hyundai. Additional Repair/Inspection Attempts: On April 7, 2026, Norman Hyundai opened and closed a repair order without the consumer's knowledge and refused to provide a copy despite an explicit request. On May 23, 2026, a scheduled appointment at Bob Howard Hyundai was missed; a reschedule request was subsequently ignored by the dealership. HMA Case No. [XXX] is active. Warning Lamps or Prior Symptoms: No warning lamps have illuminated. The defect presents exclusively as a physical sensation—pedal/brake chugging, softening, and erratic stopping during normal dry-pavement braking. The issue has been present since delivery on [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11743594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

My forward collision warning activates without cause. My automatic braking systems will engage.

NHTSA complaint #11739784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

My forward collision warning activates without cause. My automatic braking systems will engage.

NHTSA complaint #11739784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The vehicle experienced a total electrical failure while driving. Dealer diagnosed the issue as a loose fuse box connector/power distribution connector. The vehicle and repaired component should be available for inspection through the Hyundai dealer service department. The vehicle suddenly lost all power while being driven on a public roadway. The engine shut off, dashboard went dark, and power steering assistance was lost, creating a risk of collision and leaving the vehicle disabled in traffic. A Hyundai dealer diagnosed and confirmed that a loose fuse box connector caused the loss of power. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Hyundai dealer service department. No police or insurance inspection was performed. No warning lights, messages, or symptoms appeared prior to the failure. The vehicle lost power suddenly without warning while driving.

NHTSA complaint #11736013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

The plastic covers such as the wheel wells, inner fender linings, under body shield, are very prone to coming off by either minor objects intruding them or hitting them such as branches, rocks, or even water and sand. While driving on a highway at the Upper Peninsula in Michigan on October, a large branch on the road got inside the front wheel well and it took it away. It flew into the highway as debris and cars began evading them. I had to replace it at my expense and it come off again while driving on sand on a beach in St. Augustine Florida on December (the car is 4x4 off-road capable and sold as such). The underbody shield began coming off in a highway in near Austin Texas around a construction zone where loose gravel was present. Almost all plastic clips were missing after I was informed by a driver that plastic parts were coming off my car striking his vehicle. The wheel well of the driver side also began to come off. I had to zip-tie it; no holes were damaged but it was fully scratch and cracked in multiple locations from touching the pavement. I was hit on the side of the rear of the passenger side door and the plastic cover came off. I replaced it but it seems those plastic parts are superimposed and not well secured into the body of the car and can come off fairly easily during driving becoming road hazards that can result in a crash to vehicles driving from behind or even people or animals. I had a Sonata and the same under shield came off while driving to Miami on December 2024, their service department only had it cut leaving the underbody exposed.

NHTSA complaint #11721013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The embedded navigation system tends to provide directions getting the vehicle into off road areas that are not designated to be driven. This not only causes damages to the car but also leads to unsafe situations. While driving in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan headed to the Kitch-Iti-Kipi, it took me to tall grass and high voltage towers almost getting me to a ditch. While driving in St. Augustine Beach, it almost took me to the ocean. While driving near Lubbock Texas around a detour due to construction, it almost took me to a cliff.

NHTSA complaint #11721028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

The plastic covers such as the wheel wells, inner fender linings, under body shield, are very prone to coming off by either minor objects intruding them or hitting them such as branches, rocks, or even water and sand. While driving on a highway at the Upper Peninsula in Michigan on October, a large branch on the road got inside the front wheel well and it took it away. It flew into the highway as debris and cars began evading them. I had to replace it at my expense and it come off again while driving on sand on a beach in St. Augustine Florida on December (the car is 4x4 off-road capable and sold as such). The underbody shield began coming off in a highway in near Austin Texas around a construction zone where loose gravel was present. Almost all plastic clips were missing after I was informed by a driver that plastic parts were coming off my car striking his vehicle. The wheel well of the driver side also began to come off. I had to zip-tie it; no holes were damaged but it was fully scratch and cracked in multiple locations from touching the pavement. I was hit on the side of the rear of the passenger side door and the plastic cover came off. I replaced it but it seems those plastic parts are superimposed and not well secured into the body of the car and can come off fairly easily during driving becoming road hazards that can result in a crash to vehicles driving from behind or even people or animals. I had a Sonata and the same under shield came off while driving to Miami on December 2024, their service department only had it cut leaving the underbody exposed.

NHTSA complaint #11721013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

I have a 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited. On [XXX], around the afternoon on Sunnyvale, California, while exiting [XXX] headed to Lake Tahoe, the liftgate bolt that attaches to the body had buckled mechanically as the system did not back away when a flashlight that came out of a travel bag was blocking the way to have it closed. The car computer thinks the liftgate is open even though the lock is secured. The car computer allows to drive without seatbelts secured or closures ajar for a few seconds at low speed but then it automatically with little warning engages the electronic handbrake while driving. I was driving on a highway in a middle lane when the car engaged without my consent the electronic handbrake locking the wheels and I almost got rear ended and killed by a semitruck. I had to floor the gas pedal and steer to a shoulder to request a tow. Since it was a long weekend before Presidents Day, I had the car taken to the nearest dealer in Modesto California. Their service department invented a lie that due to a side crash, which was a failure of the collision mitigation system that happened months ago, is the cause and that it is my fault even though the driver admitted responsibility but it is an unrelated issue. There should be a way of overriding the car computer so it does not engage the electronic hand brake on the middle of the highway, specially at night as this creates a road hazard that can lead to death. I replicate the issue with a rental, a Hyundai Tucson, they use the same gas strut and bolt that in my opinion has a very narrow gage. As you can see in the picture, the passenger side bolt is fine, the driver side is buckled. The side accident that happened on May 2025 was on the passenger side but the liftgate is fine; at any rate both sides should be deformed not just one if that were to be the case but it is not. Dealer and Hyundai attempting to sideline the issue to avoid a warranty and recall in my opinion. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11721002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

A week after I got my 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited, while trying to have the moonroof when headed into the highway since it gets too noisy if left open, the glass will touch the guard and then back away and remain fully open. However, the issue becomes more serious when it starts to rain or snow as it will remain open. In three occasions, the moonroof will not close. During a downpour, I had to use a large umbrella to avoid water to flood the car. Had I not had an umbrella or something to prevent water from getting in, the vehicle electronics could have become damaged including my personal belongings including but not limited to my sensitive medical equipment. Had I been in a snow shower, I will have gotten sick with a cold. I had reported the issue several times to different dealers and they only say it needs to be cleaned and reset. I had a Sonata with the same moonroof for over three years and I never experienced such an issue.

NHTSA complaint #11721007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

The plastic covers such as the wheel wells, inner fender linings, under body shield, are very prone to coming off by either minor objects intruding them or hitting them such as branches, rocks, or even water and sand. While driving on a highway at the Upper Peninsula in Michigan on October, a large branch on the road got inside the front wheel well and it took it away. It flew into the highway as debris and cars began evading them. I had to replace it at my expense and it come off again while driving on sand on a beach in St. Augustine Florida on December (the car is 4x4 off-road capable and sold as such). The underbody shield began coming off in a highway in near Austin Texas around a construction zone where loose gravel was present. Almost all plastic clips were missing after I was informed by a driver that plastic parts were coming off my car striking his vehicle. The wheel well of the driver side also began to come off. I had to zip-tie it; no holes were damaged but it was fully scratch and cracked in multiple locations from touching the pavement. I was hit on the side of the rear of the passenger side door and the plastic cover came off. I replaced it but it seems those plastic parts are superimposed and not well secured into the body of the car and can come off fairly easily during driving becoming road hazards that can result in a crash to vehicles driving from behind or even people or animals. I had a Sonata and the same under shield came off while driving to Miami on December 2024, their service department only had it cut leaving the underbody exposed.

NHTSA complaint #11721013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I have a 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited. On [XXX], around the afternoon on Sunnyvale, California, while exiting [XXX] headed to Lake Tahoe, the liftgate bolt that attaches to the body had buckled mechanically as the system did not back away when a flashlight that came out of a travel bag was blocking the way to have it closed. The car computer thinks the liftgate is open even though the lock is secured. The car computer allows to drive without seatbelts secured or closures ajar for a few seconds at low speed but then it automatically with little warning engages the electronic handbrake while driving. I was driving on a highway in a middle lane when the car engaged without my consent the electronic handbrake locking the wheels and I almost got rear ended and killed by a semitruck. I had to floor the gas pedal and steer to a shoulder to request a tow. Since it was a long weekend before Presidents Day, I had the car taken to the nearest dealer in Modesto California. Their service department invented a lie that due to a side crash, which was a failure of the collision mitigation system that happened months ago, is the cause and that it is my fault even though the driver admitted responsibility but it is an unrelated issue. There should be a way of overriding the car computer so it does not engage the electronic hand brake on the middle of the highway, specially at night as this creates a road hazard that can lead to death. I replicate the issue with a rental, a Hyundai Tucson, they use the same gas strut and bolt that in my opinion has a very narrow gage. As you can see in the picture, the passenger side bolt is fine, the driver side is buckled. The side accident that happened on May 2025 was on the passenger side but the liftgate is fine; at any rate both sides should be deformed not just one if that were to be the case but it is not. Dealer and Hyundai attempting to sideline the issue to avoid a warranty and recall in my opinion. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11721002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

A week after I got my 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited, while trying to have the moonroof when headed into the highway since it gets too noisy if left open, the glass will touch the guard and then back away and remain fully open. However, the issue becomes more serious when it starts to rain or snow as it will remain open. In three occasions, the moonroof will not close. During a downpour, I had to use a large umbrella to avoid water to flood the car. Had I not had an umbrella or something to prevent water from getting in, the vehicle electronics could have become damaged including my personal belongings including but not limited to my sensitive medical equipment. Had I been in a snow shower, I will have gotten sick with a cold. I had reported the issue several times to different dealers and they only say it needs to be cleaned and reset. I had a Sonata with the same moonroof for over three years and I never experienced such an issue.

NHTSA complaint #11721007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The embedded navigation system tends to provide directions getting the vehicle into off road areas that are not designated to be driven. This not only causes damages to the car but also leads to unsafe situations. While driving in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan headed to the Kitch-Iti-Kipi, it took me to tall grass and high voltage towers almost getting me to a ditch. While driving in St. Augustine Beach, it almost took me to the ocean. While driving near Lubbock Texas around a detour due to construction, it almost took me to a cliff.

NHTSA complaint #11721028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.