AI Damage2022 Hyundai Kona: common problems
Owners of the 2022 Hyundai Kona filed 101 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 71 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 101
- involving a crash
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 71
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 33% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 22% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 18% of all complaints
- 4 Forward collision avoidance 16% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 10% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 7 Lane departure 3% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 2% of all complaints
- Engine: 33 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Electrical system: 22 complaints (22% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 38.
- Powertrain: 18 complaints (18% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Forward collision avoidance: 16 complaints (16% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Vehicle speed control: 10 complaints (10% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- electric
- automatic, 1-speed
- CVT
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speednamed in 4 complaints
- dual-clutch (DCT), 8-speednamed in 4 complaints
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 101 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 33 | 0 | 5 |
| Electrical system | 22 | 0 | 38 |
| Powertrain | 18 | 0 | 5 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 16 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Tires | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 7 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The tread came off the tire on the highway causing me to crash off I 75. The tires were made 6 of 2025 and the pressure was 31.5 according to the highway patrol officer on scene. I have the paperwork for the tires I purchased at Sams Club in Cape Coral Florida on 7/29/25.
I was rear ended waiting for the car in front of me to turn. Driver was going between 33-40 on a residential. My air bags did not deploy.
During collision, airbags did not deploy. In attempt to avoid collision, automatic breaks failed and did not stop the vehicle, cruise control continued to attempt to drive the vehicle despite collision warning and did not stop- coupled with my manual breaking, the car did not stop.
The reported problems include false forward-collision warnings, unintended automatic emergency braking when there is no apparent obstacle or collision threat, false blind-spot/side warnings, and unwanted steering intervention from the lane-assist system. The exact failed component is UNKNOWN.
The vehicle was taken to a Hyundai dealership service center, which diagnosed a transmission failure and performed a transmission repair in August 2025. In October 2026, about 14 months after that repair and about 17 months after I purchased the vehicle, the exact same symptom returned.
I could feel the same motored pull that the Kona has while using the "lane keeping assistance" feature. But unlike the lane assist which takes 20 pounds to manually override, this took approximately 80 pounds of force to fight. Even fighting the turn, I was multiple feet into the left lane.
My radiator has coolant leak. I noticed the fluid getting low and the smell. I had to put fluid in 2-3 times the last month. I took it into the shop and they confirmed that it is the lower left part of the radiator that it’s leaking from and it has to get replaced. I did notice on a campaign 24\-EM\-005H\.
No warning lights are displayed. Despite being only days and about 1000 miles beyond the warranty neither Hyundai nor the dealer show interest in repairing this except at my cost, which is not feasible.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 577 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 27% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Kona has 80 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 101, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil…
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 diagnosed with this…
- Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil…
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 exhibiting this condition…
- Certain 2021-2023 model year Kona, 2021-2023 model year Kona Electric, and 2022-2023 model year Kona N…
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 internal parts to…
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and…
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 Safety System Co…
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding…
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 Automobile Safety…
- 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.
- Some vehicles may have an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts…
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 condition to 10 years…
- A Class Action settlement regarding the TRW Airbag was recently decided
Based on the Class Action, customers are eligible for certain settlement benefits. Please see attached for details. Impacted vehicles are also noted below. For further information regarding settlement benefits and…
- A Class Action settlement regarding the TRW Airbag was recently decided
Based on the Class Action, customers are eligible for certain settlement benefits. Impacted vehicles are also noted below. For further information regarding settlement benefits and contacts, please review the…
- Hyundai has settled a class action lawsuit that alleges that certain Hyundai and Kia Class Vehicles…
Hyundai has settled a class action lawsuit that alleges that certain Hyundai and Kia Class Vehicles (defined below) contain defective ZF-TRW airbag control units (“ZF-TRW ACUs”) that are vulnerable to a condition…
- Some Elantra (CN7, CN7A), Kona (OS, SX2), and Sonata Hybrid (DN8 HEV) vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines…
Some Elantra (CN7, CN7A), Kona (OS, SX2), and Sonata Hybrid (DN8 HEV) vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines may illuminate a warning lamp for DTC P218100 (Cooling System Performance) related to the Integrated…
- Upon customer's request ONLY, the Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 25-01-089H provides the service…
Upon customer's request ONLY, the Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 25-01-089H provides the service procedure for installation of a key cylinder reinforcement protector assembly and two anti-theft decals on the front…
NHTSA lists 71 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2022 Hyundai Kona?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, powertrain. Total complaints: 101. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (28%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (9%), stalls while driving (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2022 Hyundai Kona?
NHTSA lists 71 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2022 Hyundai Kona from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2022 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.