2018 Hyundai Kona
The 2018 Hyundai Kona is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Kona FWD, is EPA-rated at 30 mpg combined. NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year so far (Safety Signal A). Owners have filed 74 complaints, most often about the engine.
Specs & fuel economy
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kona FWD | Gas | FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | 28 | 32 | 30 | $2,100 |
| Kona FWD | Gas | FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 27 | 33 | 30 | $2,100 |
| Kona AWD | Gas | AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | 26 | 29 | 27 | $2,300 |
| Kona AWD | Gas | AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 25 | 30 | 27 | $2,300 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39823, 39824, 39826, 39827.
Factory warranty running out?
The 2018 Hyundai Kona is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.
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Recalls (0)
Source: NHTSA recall databaseNo NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for the 2018 Hyundai Kona. New campaigns appear here within a week of NHTSA posting them.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine — Loss of Motive Power closed
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · closed Dec 12, 2023 · action DP22003
Owner complaints
Source: NHTSA complaint database9 involved a crash · 10 a fire · 12 injuries · 0 deaths reported
Filed per year: 2018: 9 · 2019: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2021: 5 · 2022: 5 · 2023: 11 · 2024: 12 · 2025: 14 · 2026: 11
Most-cited components
What owners describe
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Crash ratings
Source: NHTSA NCAPNHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.
Other Kona model years
2027 Hyundai Kona
0 recalls · 0 complaints
C2026 Hyundai Kona
3 recalls · 9 complaints
A2025 Hyundai Kona
1 recalls · 29 complaints
D2024 Hyundai Kona
4 recalls · 65 complaints
C2023 Hyundai Kona
2 recalls · 72 complaints
B2022 Hyundai Kona
2 recalls · 123 complaints
C2021 Hyundai Kona
3 recalls · 141 complaints
F2020 Hyundai Kona
5 recalls · 184 complaints
F2019 Hyundai Kona
4 recalls · 242 complaints
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.