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2018 hyundai Kona vs 2018 toyota Sienna

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-04-29 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
The 2018 Hyundai Kona edges ahead — narrowly
More reliable

2018 hyundai Kona

4.0/5
Reliability score
69 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$7,950 repair exposure
vs

2018 toyota Sienna

3.8/5
Reliability score
67 complaints
2 recalls (0 critical)
$7,150 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

The 2018 hyundai Kona edges this one, but it's tight. We're talking 4.0 versus 3.8 on the reliability index. Close enough that the right answer for you might be the other truck — depends what you're using it for and what you can afford to fix when something does go.

If you're leaning 2018 hyundai Kona, know what you're getting into on engine. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than what the 2018 toyota Sienna sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

Going with the 2018 toyota Sienna? Watch the powertrain and body. The 2018 hyundai Kona has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.

Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.

— ProblemsByVin editorial team, drawing on the NHTSA data and shop experience.

Side-by-side by problem area

Category
2018 hyundai Kona
2018 toyota Sienna
powertrain
9 reports
severe · ~$2,500
16 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
engine
21 reports
severe · ~$3,100
No reports
electrical
7 reports
severe · ~$850
6 reports
moderate · ~$850
body
3 reports
moderate · ~$1,500
4 reports
moderate · ~$1,500
airbags
No reports
4 reports
severe · ~$1,100
fuel system
No reports
4 reports
moderate · ~$1,200

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2018 Hyundai Kona or the 2018 Toyota Sienna?

Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2018 Hyundai Kona comes out ahead with a reliability score of 4.0 versus 3.8. The margin is narrow, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.

What goes wrong more often on the 2018 Hyundai Kona?

Compared to the 2018 Toyota Sienna, the 2018 Hyundai Kona sees more reported issues in engine. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.

What goes wrong more often on the 2018 Toyota Sienna?

Compared to the 2018 Hyundai Kona, the 2018 Toyota Sienna has more complaints in powertrain and body. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.

Which has more recalls?

The 2018 Toyota Sienna has more active recalls (2 vs 0). Total count is less important than severity, though — a vehicle with one critical recall and zero moderate ones is generally riskier than one with five moderate recalls.

Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?

Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $7,950 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.

Related comparisons

Reliability scores, complaint counts, and severity ratings derived from the NHTSA public records database. "Repair exposure" is the sum of average independent-shop repair costs across each vehicle's tracked problem categories and is intended as a relative comparison, not an exact prediction. Editorial commentary auto-generated from the data and reviewed by ASE-certified contributors. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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