Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, transmission, and acceleration and cruise control. The 7 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2025Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/7 checked
2025 Hyundai Kona: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/1
Engine off, key in hand0/3
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Nearby years usually share most parts, so their problems are worth checking on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2025 checks
Worth adding to your 2025 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2025 Hyundai Kona. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cylGas | AWD, FWD | 26–28 mpg |
| 2.0L 4-cylGas | AWD, FWD | 28–31 mpg |
| Electric | FWD | 261 mi range |
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Total power loss, battery drain
5,000–12,000 miles
NHTSA complaints for the 2025 Hyundai Kona, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
The car loses all electrical power while driving, including headlights and interior lights. Other reports describe a battery that drains and needs a jump-start. These failures cluster under 5,000 miles, with one at 12,000, and a software update did not stop the drain in one case. Other complaints cover a driver attention alarm that cannot be turned off and cuts out audio and maps, and a moonroof that reverses and stays open in rain. One report says a false liftgate-open reading set the electronic handbrake at highway speed.
Transmission and drivetrain trouble shows up almost immediately, with one failure at 989 miles. Reported symptoms include grinding and clanking, metal snapping sounds, sluggish acceleration, and sharply reduced power. The car also shakes or wobbles under acceleration, and in one case it pulled hard to one side. Repeat dealer visits have not fixed it, with at least five repair attempts in one case. Losing power or pulling to the side at speed is a real loss-of-control risk. One of the 3 filings gives no details.
Adaptive cruise control flashes and brakes hard on an open highway with no car ahead, so speed drops instantly. That raises the risk of a rear-end crash. The problem comes back often, and dealers decline to repair it when they cannot duplicate it, even with video evidence. A separate complaint says cruise reacts slowly on hills, letting speed sag as much as 6 mph below the set point before it recovers.
Excerpts from complaints Kona owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
This is second time all electrical has gone dead in the car. First time I took car in for an update and now something is still draining the battery. I have read multiple posts online of this issue. The car has less than 5000 mile on it
Filed with NHTSA, October 2025
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2025 ranks eighth for owner complaints among 9 Kona years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Cars shoppers compare with the Hyundai Kona, with their own 2025 checklists.
2025 owner complaints, side by side
