This bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in the 2026 1st Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system. Refer to the 2026 1st Navigation Map and Software Update Key Improvements and Additional Improvements tables in this TSB for a list of specific changes. The software can be downloaded via Navigation Updater (NAU) and updated by USB.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2023 Hyundai Kona electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2023 Hyundai Kona have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Kona | 16 |
| 2020 Kona | 10 |
| 2021 Kona | 10 |
| 2022 Kona | 17 |
| 2023 Kona (this page) | 20 |
| 2024 Kona | 25 |
| 2025 Kona | 7 |
What stands out
Electrical accounts for 33% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
Among the 8 model years of Hyundai Kona in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
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, replace the starter magnetic switch (solenoid) assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information related to the changes introduced in the 2025 1st Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system as described in this TSB.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗A software update is available for multiple vehicles equipped with either Display Audio 2.0V or the AVN 5th Gen Wide system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information related to the changes introduced in the 2024 2nd Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system. Refer to the 2024 2nd Navigation Map and Software Update Improvements section in this TSB for a list of specific changes. The software can be downloaded via Navigation Updater (NAU) and updated by USB. The NAU website is https://update.hyundai.com/US/EN/navigationUpdate. For certain models equipped with a relevant Bluelink package, the software may be downloaded and applied via OTA update.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
2023 Kona owners report electrical issues across multiple systems. The horn stands out as the most recurrent problem—it stops working intermittently or completely, and dealers have replaced it up to five times in some vehicles without permanently fixing it. One owner reports the horn failing twice within 3,000 miles despite a fuse replacement and warranty repair. Another states Hyundai confirmed this is a known issue not covered under warranty. One case shows the problem stems from faulty wiring, yet dealers keep the same wiring harness even after swapping the horn itself.
Radio and infotainment screens go blank and cut out randomly, becoming unresponsive. Tire pressure monitors throw false low-pressure warnings (0 psi) when all tires are properly inflated. Rear door latches unlock repeatedly—sometimes 30 times at once—while the vehicle is parked or moving, without key present. One owner had the vehicle shut off unexpectedly while driving.
Safety systems fail too: collision warning beeps falsely, lane departure warnings trigger without reason, and emergency braking engages on its own. Backup camera displays stay stuck on. One owner reports that at 3,000 miles, the main computer stopped communicating with safety systems entirely—horn, lane departure, blind spot warning, and radio all went out—and the dealer said there was no fix.
One owner discovered rodent damage to exposed wiring during scheduled maintenance, highlighting potential vulnerability of soy-based wire insulation used in newer vehicles.
Same Hyundai Kona electrical reports on nearby years: 2020 · 2022 · 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Horn malfunction – repeated failures
Horn stops working either intermittently or completely. Many owners report multiple replacements (some as many as 4–5 times) that fail to resolve the issue. One owner reported the horn working initially, then failing again months later despite having the wiring left unchanged. Another saw failures at 7,467 miles and again at 10,000 miles.
When: Between 3,000 and 106,000 miles; some failures occur early (under 12,000 miles), others later. Intermittent operation can precede complete failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Horn produces no sound when button pressed; Horn works intermittently then becomes permanently inoperable; No warning lights before failure; Failure recurs even after horn replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Horn replacement attempted multiple times (up to 5 replacements in some cases); one owner fixed a failure by replacing a fuse. Root cause remains unaddressed in repeated failures, with dealers keeping the same wiring harness after replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer opened cases on complaints. One owner reported Hyundai stated the horn failure is a known issue and not covered under warranty. No recalls or TSBs mentioned; one dealer advised owner there was no remedy.
Main computer / ECU communication failure
Vehicle's main computer fails to interface with safety systems at startup. Multiple system check lights illuminate with red exclamation marks. Horn, Lane Departure warning, Blind Spot warning, and radio become inoperable simultaneously.
When: Approximately 3,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: All system symbols display red exclamation mark on startup; Horn inoperable; Lane Departure warning inoperable; Blind Spot warning inoperable; Radio inoperable; System check lights illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed as main computer not interfacing with safety systems but advised owner there was no remedy. Vehicle was not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was informed of the failure. No repair remedy offered.
Radio and infotainment screen malfunction
Radio/GPS screen goes blank or cuts out without user input. Screen becomes unresponsive; owner cannot turn radio off, down, or adjust it. One report of screen appearing like a loading screen then going dark permanently.
When: Timing not specified in narratives
Symptoms owners cite: Radio/GPS screen goes completely blank; Screen becomes unresponsive to user input; Screen cuts out randomly while driving; Screen appears to be loading then stays blank; Radio does not come on at all
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported bringing vehicle to dealership; issues persisted after service attempt.
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) malfunction
Tire pressure warning lights illuminate incorrectly, indicating low pressure (0 psi) or varying pressures when all tires are actually at the same, correct pressure. Warnings come on and off at random times.
When: Timing not specified; one report after suspected hurricane damage
Symptoms owners cite: Tire pressure lights indicate 0 psi when tires are properly inflated; Tire pressure lights indicate low pressure on one tire while all tires have same psi; Tire pressure lights come on and off randomly
Repairs/costs cited: One owner brought vehicle to dealership; issues remained unresolved.
Rear door latch – unintended unlocking
Rear door latch unlocks repeatedly while vehicle is running or parked, sometimes up to 30 times at once. Occurs without key being in the vehicle or driver input.
When: Issue reported to Hyundai since August 2025
Symptoms owners cite: Rear door latch unlocks while vehicle is running; Rear door latch unlocks while vehicle is parked; Multiple unintended unlock events (up to 30 at once); Unlocks without key in vehicle; Rear door opens while vehicle is moving
Repairs/costs cited: Service unable to identify or resolve failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Issue reported to Hyundai Motor America since August 2025; no resolution reported.
Lighting control malfunction
Lights (headlights, interior, or other lighting) turn on and off randomly while driving without user input.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Lights randomly turn on and off while driving
Backup camera malfunction
Backup camera screen stays on and does not return to normal driving view. Owner unable to switch display back to regular screen.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera randomly stays on while driving; Cannot switch display back to regular screen
Engine shut-off during operation
Engine unexpectedly shuts off while driving. Dashboard displays 'engine turn off' message. Occurred on multiple separate occasions.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle completely turns off while driving; Dashboard displays 'engine turn off' message
Collision warning and safety system false activations
Front collision warning beeps inappropriately when vehicle is not near another car. Lane Departure warning activates at random times. Emergency braking engages on its own without threat.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Front collision warning beep sounds when no vehicle is nearby; Lane Departure warning activates at random times; Emergency braking engages on its own
Wiring insulation damage – rodent chewing
Rodent damage found on vehicle wiring during maintenance. Wiring insulation was exposed and would have caused malfunction. Issue detected during 1-year maintenance before any electrical failure occurred.
When: Detected during 1-year maintenance
Symptoms owners cite: Visible rodent chewing on wire insulation; Wiring exposed
Repairs/costs cited: Damage found before wires were affected; technician detected exposed wiring
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
Rodent damage found during 1-year maintenance. This is an increasing problem that is under-reported. Damage was found before any wires were effected, however, the wiring was exposed and would have caused a malfunction had this not been detected by technician. 1. Automakers across the board are using cheaper, soy-based elements to wrap wiring and customers are having to deal with the result of…
Horn stopped Working out of nowhere.
The radio/GPS screen cuts out and goes completely blank and I can't turn it off or down or do anything with the radio. The tire pressure lights come on and off at random times. The backup camera randomly stays on when I'm driving and I can't get it to go back to a regular screen. The lights randomly turn on and off when I am driving. There is obviously some kind of electrical issues.
I have been having electrical issues since I bought this car. The radio screen goes black for no reason, the clock changes time on it's own the Android auto only works intermittently. The tire lights come on and say there is 0 psi in the tires. Right now it says that 1 tire is low but the psi is the same in all 4 tires. I think this car was damaged during Hurricane Ian and the dealership still…
The rear door Latch opens while vehicle is moving and I've have taken it to service and they don't know what failure is al about.Its a manufacture failure.
The vehicles horn randomly decides not to work. The horn has been replaced once, but the same wiring was kept the same. The vehicle is going back after a few months due to horn malfunction again.
Horn keeps failing
Horn does not work.
Had electrical trouble with your 2023 Hyundai Kona?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2023 Hyundai Kona?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 20 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 33,250 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2023/Hyundai/Kona.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.