Showing the 2023 Kona SEL. We haven't verified this trim's engine; the numbers below cover every version of this model year. Every version
Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 17, 2026.
Fuel economy
23–32 mpgcombined; city 20–30, highway 27–35; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$10,150–$17,500U.S. average; Ohio $9,070–$16,490 at local prices; every version of this model year, electric versions apart; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026. Electric versions: $3,770 at U.S. average electricity prices
NHTSA's VIN data lists these trims for the 2023 Kona. A trim's engine and numbers are shown as its own only where EPA names versions after the trim and no other version could be it; "seen with" means a source shows that engine on the trim, not that it was the only one. Recalls and complaints cover the whole model year: whether a recall applies to a car depends on its VIN, on NHTSA's recall lookup.
Owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Kona. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.
Complaints by part of the car
Part
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Electrical system
30
0
0
0
Unknown or other
20
0
0
1
Forward collision avoidance
13
3
0
2
Engine
11
0
0
0
Power train
11
0
0
0
Vehicle speed control
7
0
0
0
Fuel/propulsion system
5
0
0
0
Service brakes
4
2
0
2
Lane departure
3
0
0
0
Steering
3
0
0
0
Air bags
1
1
0
0
Exterior lighting
1
0
0
0
5 more parts
Seat belts
1
0
0
0
Structure
1
0
0
0
Suspension
1
0
0
0
Tires
1
0
0
0
Wheels
1
0
0
0
Complaints by model year
Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2023 Kona over its history. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.
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 can result in a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update engine control module software. In addition, dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pump assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning September 9, 2024. Some interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 3, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 262 and 023G.
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 oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat.
Risk: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting September 7, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 246.
Carmakers sent NHTSA 50 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2023 Kona, the latest on Oct 8, 2026. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.
The parts they mention most: electrical system (18), power train (8), fuel/propulsion system (6), air bags (5), engine (5).
NHTSA hasn't opened a defect investigation that covers this model year.
Maintenance
Oil
The owner's manual gives the oil and how often to change it. We show oil facts only once we've checked them against the manual, and we haven't yet for the 2023 Kona.
EPA class: small sport utility vehicle. EPA greenhouse gas score: 5–10 out of 10. Each version EPA tested:
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
Version
Engine
Transmission
Fuel
City / hwy / comb
Kona Front-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl
Automatic (AV-S1)
Regular Gasoline
30 / 35 / 32
Kona Front-Wheel Drive
1.6 L, 4 cyl, turbo
Automatic (AM-S7)
Regular Gasoline
29 / 35 / 32
Kona All-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl
Automatic (AV-S1)
Regular Gasoline
28 / 33 / 30
Kona All-Wheel Drive
1.6 L, 4 cyl, turbo
Automatic (AM-S7)
Regular Gasoline
27 / 32 / 29
Kona Electric Front-Wheel Drive
TBD
Automatic (A1)
Electricity 258 miles of range
134 / 106 / 120 MPGe
Kona N Front-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turbo
Automatic (AM-S8)
Premium Gasoline
20 / 27 / 23
Sources and dates
U.S. EPA fuel economy data, file of Sep 29, 2026
NHTSA owner complaints, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA recalls, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA manufacturer communications, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA defect investigations, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, file of Aug 7, 2026
U.S. Energy Information Administration, file of Oct 12, 2026
Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data