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2023 Hyundai Kona problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

NO ELEVATED SIGNAL
32%
21 of 69 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2023 Hyundai Kona. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 32% of relevant complaints.

Better than 67% of the 1,789 model years we track (2010–2023).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026
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Does the 2023 Hyundai Kona have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 21 of 69 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2023 Hyundai Kona concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (32%). For comparison, the 2022 scores 48%. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.

Drivetrain complaints
21
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
69
this model year
Fires reported
0
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
2
4 crashes · 3 injuries

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM27 · 39%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER19 · 28%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE13 · 19%
ENGINE11 · 16%
POWER TRAIN11 · 16%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7 · 10%

The years either side

2010
no data
2011
no data
2012
no data
2013
no data
2014
no data
2015
no data
2016
no data
2017
no data
2018
64%
45 of 75
2019
83%
155 of 193
2020
77%
122 of 160
2021
76%
88 of 117
2022
48%
49 of 107
2023
32%
21 of 69

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

What owners reported

ENGINE09/15/2026
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving 64 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power with reduced acceleration. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the valve and boost solenoid needed to be replaced. The…
ENGINE07/30/2026
I was driving to work on a normal day under normal circumstances when a check engine light won my dashboard. Seconds later my car started showing car is over heating. I immediately swayed from the speed lane to the side of the road almost getting into a crash as other vehicles were at full speeds behind me. I immedi…
POWER TRAIN04/01/2026
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle hesitated before driving forward. The Engine START/STOP feature was engaged. The contact stated that the ESC warning light was illuminated temporarily. The contact stated …

Three of 21 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Recall campaigns on the 2023 Hyundai Kona (2)

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:PUMP
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go…
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Veloster N, 2019-2023 Genesis G70, 2022-2023 Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The fuel pump may fail, which…

This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.

Before you buy a 2023 Hyundai Kona

Questions people ask about the 2023 Hyundai Kona

Does the 2023 Hyundai Kona have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 21 of 69 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2023 Hyundai Kona concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (32%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2023 Hyundai Kona?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2023 Hyundai Kona. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Which Hyundai Kona years are better?

The 2023 has the lowest engine and transmission complaint share of the Hyundai Kona years we track (32%). The other years run higher.

Should I buy a 2023 Hyundai Kona?

That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2023 Hyundai Kona shows no elevated engine or transmission pattern in owner complaints, which is a good starting point. It is still one car with its own history, so get an independent pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you commit.

Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 2 body styles NHTSA files separately.