The Lemon IndexHyundai Kona.
The best Hyundai Kona years are 2018, 2021, 2019. Years to avoid: 2020. Across 2018-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 96, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2018 to 2025.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Best years to buy
2018.
Quick answers.
Is the Hyundai Kona a good car?
It is about average, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2018-2022: Lemon Index 96; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2018 and the worst is 2020.
What are the best Hyundai Kona years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2018, 2021, 2019.
What Hyundai Kona years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2020.
How many recalls does the Hyundai Kona have?
10 safety recalls across the 8 model years we track. Most: 2024 (4), 2020 (2), 2019 (1). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Hyundai Kona problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name engine, electrical and automatic emergency braking most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 44 | 2.3× fewer complaints than average | 21 | engine (19%) | 0 | — | 27–30 |
| 2019 | 90 | about average | 67 | engine (61%) | 1 | ★★★★★ | 27–120 |
| 2020 | 140 | 1.4× the average car's complaints | 100 | engine (66%) | 2 | ★★★★★ | 27–120 |
| 2021 | 81 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 70 | engine (61%) | 1 | ★★★★★ | 27–120 |
| 2022 | 100 | about average | 86 | engine (31%) | 0 | ★★★★★ | 23–120 |
| 2023 | 70 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 66 | electrical (41%) | 1 | ★★★★★ | 23–120 |
| 2024 | 74 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 52 | electrical (63%) | 4 | ★★★★☆ | 26–118 |
| 2025 | 59 | 1.7× fewer complaints than average | 28 | electrical (32%) | 1 | ★★★★☆ | 26–118 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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