2018 Hyundai Kona power train problems
11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2018 Hyundai Kona — 15% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I purchased a 2018 Hyundai Kona, and it has had one major issue after another. It burns an excessive amount of oil, the engine misfires, and now the turbocharger is failing. I’ve already spent approximately $2,300 repairing the air conditioner and engine, and I can’t afford thousands more in…”
filed Jul 21, 2026
“The vehicle suddenly stalled while driving on the highway at normal speed without warning. The engine lost power completely, creating a dangerous situation and a risk of collision with surrounding traffic. The vehicle had to be towed to a repair shop, where the issue was diagnosed as engine…”
filed May 1, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Power Train problems in other Kona years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Kona | 4 | 14% |
| 2024 Kona | 3 | 7% |
| 2023 Kona | 10 | 16% |
| 2022 Kona | 15 | 16% |
| 2021 Kona | 14 | 12% |
| 2020 Kona | 19 | 12% |
| 2019 Kona | 17 | 9% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2018 Hyundai Kona
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.