The 2025 Hyundai Kona has 28 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 7 complaints, typically surfacing around 12,000 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2025 Kona?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
4 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★4/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard & Optional · Lane departure warning: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2025 Hyundai Kona SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2025 Hyundai Kona? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
electrical — 7 owner reports
· tends to show around 12,000 mi · ~$850 to fix
powertrain — 4 owner reports
· ~$2,500 to fix
cruise control — 3 owner reports
· ~$600 to fix
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 8.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Embed this reliability snapshot
Free to use on your site, post, or video — just keep the "Source" credit line below the chart. Preview the widget →
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2025 Kona· lighting
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving 38 MPH, the exterior lights, taillights, daytime running lights, and interior lights became inoperable for two and a half seconds. The seat belt light flashed. Additionally, the seat heater and steering…
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. I have read multiple posts online of this issue. The car has less than 5000 mile on it
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). With the cruise set at interstate speeds and starting to climb a hill, the speed can…
Had a problem with your 2025 Hyundai Kona?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Kona Electric and 2024-2026 Kona vehicles
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.
Common questions
Is the 2025 Hyundai Kona reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2025 Hyundai Kona is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2025 Hyundai Kona?
On the NHTSA data, the 2025 Hyundai Kona does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2025 Hyundai Kona?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 7 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 12,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2025 Hyundai Kona a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 28 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 12,000 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2025 Hyundai Kona?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 7 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 12,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 12,000 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Hyundai Kona has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2025 Hyundai Kona?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 28 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 23 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2025/Hyundai/Kona.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
We are not affiliated with Hyundai. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we
may earn a commission if you purchase through them.
