2022 Hyundai Kona Problems
Compared with other Hyundai Kona years
Typical for this model
48/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.0× that of a typical Hyundai Kona year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 63 of its 101 complaints were filed by the end of 2024.
- Most reported problem: Loss of power, stalling, or no accelerator response (37 complaints, median 27,000 mi).
Nearby years with a typical complaint level and no open NHTSA investigation: 2023
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 101filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 19,842miles, 11 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 32 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 29 city / 35 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2022 Hyundai Kona (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Complaints on this model year cluster around a handful of recurring themes: a horn that stops working and is replaced repeatedly, occasional loss of power or rough running from the engine and the dual-clutch transmission, apparent 7-speed DCT (dual-clutch transmission) hesitation or hard shifting, and driver-assistance features that occasionally brake or steer when no obstacle is present. Many of these reports come in at relatively low mileage, often within the first year or two of ownership, and several describe the dealer being unable to reproduce the symptom. A separate group of complaints concerns radiator and coolant leaks.
- Engine
Loss of power, stalling, or no accelerator response
- 37 complaints (37%)
- median 27,000 mi at 2.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
- filed 2021–2026
Owners describe the engine quitting at a stop light or while driving, sometimes with a 'shift to neutral' message, and the vehicle restarting after several attempts. Others report pressing the accelerator with no response, or intermittent power loss at highway speed, occasionally with the check engine light on. Complaints describe dealers clearing codes, replacing sensors and turbo components, or being unable to duplicate the fault, and some mention a powertrain recall repair that did not resolve the symptom. Reported from a few hundred miles up to roughly 80,000 miles, at both low speed and highway speed.
What to check: Ask for a full service history and any stored fault codes, and take a long test drive that includes stop-and-go traffic and a highway merge. Ask whether the ECU and starter-related service bulletins have been applied.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My vehicle keeps shutting off with no warning and has almost killed me on multiple occasions The dealership keeps placating me about getting it fixed, saying that a repair is months out Meanwhile, I am driving a very dangerous vehicle that shuts off and shakes like it’s going to explode”
NHTSA complaint #11444554, filed 2021-12“Around 8,000 miles, mid-drive my check engine light came on and immediately the ability to speed up became very shotty. I have a 2022 kona n-line. I could put my foot on the floor and it would take forever to get up to speed if at all. It was very here and there and seemed to have a mind of its own when it would do this. I’ve had it into the shop 5-6 different times since then to have it addressed and I’m still having issues with it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11499187, filed 2022-12 - Electrical system
Horn stops working, replaced multiple times
- 17 complaints (17%)
- typically at 2.9 yrs old
- filed 2022–2025
Owners describe pressing the horn and getting no sound, sometimes after the horn had worked intermittently for weeks. Several complaints say the horn assembly was replaced two, three, or even four times, and that it failed again afterward. Complaints note the horn is needed to warn other drivers and pedestrians, and some owners report the problem began in the first months of ownership. Reported across a wide mileage range, from nearly new vehicles to examples past 65,000 miles, with no clear seasonal pattern.
What to check: Test the horn before buying and ask whether it has ever been replaced. Hyundai bulletins describe an extended warranty for horn replacement due to internal corrosion from foreign substances, so ask a dealer whether this vehicle is covered.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I have had my horn replaced three separate times at my local Hyundai dealership. It recently passed the NC vehicle inspection, but the horn failed the third time sometime after that inspection in Feb-2025. I have never had a horn EVER fail on ANY car I have owned for the past 50 years. A horn is a critical safety necessity and it is expected to work - especially in times of emergency. …”
NHTSA complaint #11650147, filed 2025-03“The horn on my 2022 Hyundai Kona has failed multiple times. It has been replaced twice already, and it has stopped working again at around 65,000 miles. This is a serious safety concern as I am unable to alert other drivers in emergency situations. The repeated failure of the horn suggests a possible defect in the electrical system or horn assembly. I am requesting an investigation into this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11691860, filed 2025-10 - Forward collision avoidance
Automatic emergency braking and lane assist activating
- 22 complaints (22%)
- typically at 1.0 yrs old
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2022–2026
Owners describe the car braking hard on its own with no obstacle ahead, sometimes on a clear highway, along with false collision warnings and warning chimes. Others report the lane-assist system tugging the wheel or steering toward the edge of the lane. Complaints say dealers could not reproduce the events, and a few also describe adaptive cruise control responding slowly or dropping well below the set speed before engaging. Reported on vehicles ranging from about 1,000 miles upward, at both parking-lot speeds and highway speeds, in clear weather.
What to check: During the test drive, try the adaptive cruise control and lane assist on a clear road and confirm the settings and sensitivity. Ask whether any software updates for the driver-assistance systems have been installed.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“On four separate occasions now, I have been driving on the highway at roughly 60 mph, no cars in front of or beside me, and nothing else obstructing the roadway, when completely out of nowhere the emergency braking activates for 3-5 seconds. Thankfully there was only a car behind me on one occasion, and they were far enough behind to not collide after my sudden braking.”
NHTSA complaint #11623209, filed 2024-11“I was driving up an incline when I overheated, causing smoke to come out of the transmission case. The vehicle suddenly stopped in the middle of the road, which could have caused an accident or fire. Regarding the transmission, I opened the hood to let the vehicle cool down for an hour.”
NHTSA complaint #11538359, filed 2023-08 - Transmission and drivetrain
Dual-clutch transmission hard shifts and hesitation
- 16 complaints (16%)
- median 28,721 mi at 2.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
- filed 2021–2026
Complaints describe harsh or violent shifts, especially from first to second gear under hard acceleration, along with bucking and periods where engine speed rises but the car does not accelerate. Some owners report the transmission was replaced at low mileage; others say the dealer could not reproduce the behavior or declined repair once the vehicle was just outside warranty. Mostly reported between roughly 7,000 and 55,000 miles, often during brisk acceleration or in traffic.
What to check: Drive the car from a stop and at low speed with light and heavy throttle, feeling for shudder or hard engagement, and ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced or the unit replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I purchased this 2022 Hyundai Kona used in May 2025 with approximately 55,000 miles. Within about one to two months of purchase, in June 2025, the transmission began to malfunction. When I pressed the accelerator, the speedometer and engine speed would climb but the vehicle would not accelerate, resulting in a sudden loss of acceleration while driving. This happened in traffic on a public road, which put me at serious risk of being rear-ended and left me unable to safely merge, cross intersections, or maintain speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11768313, filed 2026-10“I purchased a 2022 Hyundai Kona brand new, and since day one it has had serious performance issues — specifically, harsh jolting during acceleration and occasional stalling. These symptoms are dangerous, especially when driving in traffic, merging, or crossing intersections. I discovered that a recall existed prior to my purchase, but it was not performed until after nearly two service visits — even though I had already reported these symptoms. I was never informed of the recall by the dealership before those visits. …”
NHTSA complaint #11668561, filed 2025-06 - Engine
Radiator and coolant leaks
- 11 complaints (11%)
- typically at 3.7 yrs old
- filed 2023–2026
Owners report coolant level dropping, a sweet smell, and visible leaks traced to the radiator, with some describing repeated top-ups before a shop confirmed the radiator needed replacement. Others mention a coolant warning light coming on even with the reservoir full, and several cite a cooling system performance code tied to the thermal-management module. Complaints describe warranty coverage being inconsistent, with some repairs covered and others billed to the owner. Reported from about 13,000 to 65,000 miles, with no strong seasonal pattern.
What to check: Check the coolant level and look for residue or staining around the radiator and hoses, and ask whether the radiator was ever replaced and whether related bulletins were applied.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Recall with car regarding coolant. Last year Hyundai apparently addressed; however, coolant light came on, despite coolant being full. Told by different dealership that with these issues, it needs to be checked and rechecked multiple times; otherwise, issues arise again (as in my case). Want this addressed by dealership. They are charging me a diagnostic fee of $198. Previously, when brought car in for recall work, equipment not always working.”
NHTSA complaint #11741719, filed 2026-06“At Carmax in Hillside I'll about 3 weeks after I bought this used 2022 Kona the engine check light came on with code p2181. Cool system code. Possibly the thermostat is not working properly.13399 miles on August 9 2024”
NHTSA complaint #11607703, filed 2024-08
Buying note. This model year has several recurring, well-documented complaint patterns, so a careful test drive and a service history matter more than usual. Confirm whether the horn, cooling-system, and software bulletins were applied, and get any transmission or engine work documented before purchase.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 101 consumer complaints for the 2022 Hyundai Kona. 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 91% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 19,842 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 73 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 5 Hyundai Kona model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 48 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine33 33%
- Other or unknown26 26%
- Electrical system22 22%
- Vehicle speed control10 9.9%
- Brakes9 8.9%
- Lane departure3 3.0%
- Air bags2 2.0%
- Exterior lighting2 2.0%
Also reported: Fuel system (2), Tires (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Back-over prevention (rear camera) (1).
Example complaints
Engine: “I found a lot of shaved metals when I did the oil change for the Gear Reduction. It made a lot of noises when driving or the wheel of fortune sounds whether the car is in Regenerative Braking. The sounds developed as time goes on but Hyundai failed to recall this issue. I found this has been an ongoing issue since 2019 when Hyundai make this Kona EV, but their engineers didn’t fix this type of issue and continue to manufacture the Kona EV with the same Gear Reduction Assembly and it caused a lot of noises with these shaving metals found in the oil changes. …”
NHTSA complaint #11724172, filed 2026-03Other or unknown: “The horn stopped working less than a year after I bought the car brand new. The dealer finally agreed to repair/replace it in Feb 2024. Less than a year later it is not working again. A horn is important for alerting other drivers to impending collisions. It also leaves me without a panic button, another important safety feature.”
NHTSA complaint #11653349, filed 2025-04Electrical system: “My horn on my car has went out the first time and now it just went out again and it’s a manufacturing issue! Hyundai refuses to fix it because it’s not under warranty anymore! And it’s so dangerous now since I don’t have a horn again! I should have not have to fix it when it’s not my fault! And other people have the same issue with your Kona’s to! The dealership even told me that’s it’s been an issue with the horns!”
NHTSA complaint #11678886, filed 2025-08Transmission and drivetrain: “While on the highway the transmission completely stopped shifting and stayed in first gear and would only rev up the engine when the accelerator was applied.I had to coast slowly off the freeway to an exit to safely park. I turned the vehicle off and restarted after a few minutes and it drove regularly. Apparently there are other customers that have experienced this issue and this raises a lot of concern on the safety of operating this vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11441917, filed 2021-11Mileage when problems were reported
91% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,500 and 40,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2022 Hyundai Kona. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kona · SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 13.6% risk |
| Kona · SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 14.1% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2022 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking optional.
Neighbouring years: 2021: same overall rating; 2023: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2022 Hyundai Kona version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kona AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 7-speed automatic | 27 | 32 | 29 | $2,300 |
| Kona AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | 28 | 33 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Kona FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 7-speed automatic | 29 | 35 | 32 | $2,100 |
| Kona FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | 30 | 35 | 32 | $2,100 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2022 Hyundai Kona in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 73 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038798Oct 27, 2026Electrical system. This bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in the 2026 2nd Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle…
- 11038722Oct 15, 2026Back-over prevention (rear camera). Some Hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (PDW) sensor(s) that may trigger various DTCs and display warning messages on the instrument cluster, resulting in the PDW…
- 11038458Oct 8, 2026Engine. Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles…
- 11038456Oct 7, 2026Engine. Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles…
- 11032720May 16, 2026Other or unknown. Certain 2021-2023 model year Kona, 2021-2023 model year Kona Electric, and 2022-2023 model year Kona N vehicles may experience an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing…
- 11031400Apr 18, 2026Engine, Electrical system. Some vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an inspection on the starter magnetic switch for potential freezing and, if necessary…
- 11031398Apr 18, 2026Other or unknown. Some vehicles may have an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the horn replacement under this…
- 11031397Apr 18, 2026Other or unknown. Some vehicles may have an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the horn replacement under this…
- 11032523Apr 10, 2026Air bags. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile…
- 11032522Apr 10, 2026Air bags. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo…
Other model years of the Hyundai Kona
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 835 | 3 | 4 | 31 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 28 | 5,399 | 1 | 4 | 31 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 53 | 12,000 | 4 | 4 | 31 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 66 | 34,072 | 1 | 5 | 32 | 43 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 101 | 19,842 | 0 | 5 | 32 | 48 · Typical | Rising |
| 2021 | 120 | 23,700 | 1 | 5 | 30 | 63 · Typical | Stable |
| 2020 | 162 | 12,000 | 2 | 5 | 30 | 95 · More | Falling |
| 2019 | 198 | 44,000 | 1 | 5 | 30 | 51 · Typical | Rising |
| 2018 | 75 | 15,500 | 0 | — | 30 | 13 · Fewer | Rising |
All Hyundai Kona model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2022 Hyundai Kona?
Complaints on this model year cluster around a handful of recurring themes: a horn that stops working and is replaced repeatedly, occasional loss of power or rough running from the engine and the dual-clutch transmission, apparent 7-speed DCT (dual-clutch transmission) hesitation or hard shifting, and driver-assistance features that occasionally brake or steer when no obstacle is present. The issues reported most often: Loss of power, stalling, or no accelerator response; Horn stops working, replaced multiple times; Automatic emergency braking and lane assist activating.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2022 Hyundai Kona have?
NHTSA recorded 101 consumer complaints for the 2022 Hyundai Kona as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2022 Hyundai Kona is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 33 complaints (33% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 26.
Has the 2022 Hyundai Kona been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2022 Hyundai Kona do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2022 Hyundai Kona 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2022 Hyundai Kona get?
The EPA rates the 2022 Hyundai Kona (Kona FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 32 mpg combined, 29 city and 35 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2022 Hyundai Kona reported?
Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 19,842 miles and the middle half falls between 5,500 and 40,000 miles; 91% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.