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2018 Hyundai

Kona AWD

Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L

Hyundai Kona: best and worst years
2018 Hyundai Kona AWD
2018 photoVauxfordCC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Body
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Drivetrain
All-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Transmission
Automatic (S6)EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Engine & performance

HP
147
Power to weight
0.048 hp/lb
Axle ratio
3.51
Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Efficiency

Smog score
5/10
SmartWay certified
No

Dimensions & capacity

Safety NHTSA record NHTSA, model year

Recalls
0
Owner complaints
75 See on NHTSA
Reported injuries
12

Feature availability

Cameras & visibility

  • Backup camera
    Standard

Driver assist

  • Automatic emergency braking
    Optional
  • Blind-spot monitor
    Standard
  • Lane-keeping assist
    Optional

Convenience

  • Push-button start
    Standard

Reported problems NHTSA record NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • ENGINE36%
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER21%
  • POWER TRAIN9%
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7%
  • FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3%
  • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 117 total.

Hyundai Kona: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA record NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • DP22003opened Sep 12, 2022ENGINE

    Loss of Motive Power

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

80 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

  • Apr 18, 2026ENGINE26-EE-003H TSB

    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.

  • Apr 10, 2026AIR BAGSDTN DL

    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., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehicle manufacturers and have primarily been found in vehicles that previously experienced a crash and underwent airbag replacement using non-genuine parts. These dangerous inflators have ruptured during

  • Apr 10, 2026AIR BAGSDTN DCS

    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 System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prior crashes, theft, or non‑certified airbag replacements. These inflators are not approved for use, may rupture during deployment, and have caused serious injuries and fatalities. Please see attached anno

  • Dec 19, 2025AIR BAGSTRW Summary Notice

    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 corresponding dealer notification. It is available on Hyundaidealer.com under Hyundai Tech Info > Service News.

  • Dec 19, 2025AIR BAGSTRW Settlement Notice

    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 called electrical overstress, which may cause the vehicles’ airbags and other safety features to fail during a collision. Hyundai has not been found liable for any claims alleged in the lawsuit. Instead, Hyundai reached a voluntary settlement (referred as “the Settlement” or “the propos

  • Dec 19, 2025AIR BAGSTRW Settlement DCS

    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 contacts, please review the dealer notification per the attached. It is also available on Hyundaidealer.com under Hyundai Tech Info > Service News.

  • Dec 19, 2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEMP33 OL

    In response to this trend, we engineered a software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method and made it available to owners of eligible models free of charge at authorized Hyundai dealers since early 2023. In addition to the anti-theft software, we’ve developed a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade that can be installed at the ignition cylinder location to provide additional protection against the social media theft method. Because your Hyundai vehicle

  • Dec 15, 2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEM25-01-089H TSB

    This bulletin provides the service procedure for installation of a key cylinder reinforcement protector assembly and two anti-theft decals on the front windows.

  • and 72 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
5 yr / 60k mi
Powertrain
10 yr / 100k mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr
Maintenance
3 yr / 36k mi
EV battery
10 yr / 100k mi

Source: www.cars.com as of 2026-06

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.