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VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE

Hyundai Kona2018–2026

Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.

🚙 SUV
Hyundai Kona
2018–2026
B
Defect Risk
Recall intensity
1.7/yr · seg. median 0.0
Safety
Low
0 inj.
✓No open federal investigations
12
Recalls
0
Complaints
2022
Best Yr
0
Injuries
Avoid 2020
9
Years Analyzed
12
Total Recalls
0
Total Complaints
0
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths

Best Years to Buy a Hyundai Kona

Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.

#1 PICK4yr old
2022
Strong Buy · 82/100
Reliability81/100
Value window85/100
Recalls1
Complaints0
#2 PICK1yr old
2025
Good Buy · 72/100
Reliability81/100
Value window55/100
Recalls1
Complaints0

Hyundai Kona Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2020

3 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#2 WORST
2019

2 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#3 WORST
2021

2 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Federal Defect Investigations

NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 1 past investigation into the Kona became recall.

Recently concluded investigations
DP22003 · engine · closed Dec 2023Closed, no recall
DP22005 · electrical system · closed Aug 2023→ Became recall

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of September 13, 2026.

Hyundai Kona — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
202610——
81
40
67
Good
202510——
81
55
72
Good
202420——
74
68
72
Avoid
202300——
81
78
80
Excellent
202210——
81
85
82
Good
202120——
74
88
79
Avoid
202030——
65
87
73
Avoid
201920——
74
83
77
Avoid
201800——
81
77
80
Excellent

Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.

Shopping by Era

How each generation of the Kona compares — best year within each era shown.

2018–Present

Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2022 (Buyer Score 82).

Best: 2022
2022 · 822018 · 802023 · 802021 · 792019 · 772020 · 732024 · 722025 · 722026 · 67

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year Kona to buy?+

The 2022 Hyundai Kona scores highest on our Buyer Score (82/100) — combining a reliability score of 81/100 with a value score of 85/100. It has 1 recall and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.

Which Kona years have the most problems?+

The 2020, 2019, 2021 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2020 Kona leads with 3 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

What is the Buyer Score?+

The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.

What are the most common Kona problems?+

See the complaint chart on this page for a breakdown by component.

Deep-Dive Research

Common Problems

Full year-by-year breakdown of every documented defect for the Hyundai Kona.

Reliability Score

Reliability rating and score breakdown compared to similar suv vehicles.

Years to Avoid

Every Kona year ranked by problem score — worst years listed with full reasoning.

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

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