Hyundai Kona VIN Number Check

Decode a Hyundai Kona VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See its generation and the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.

VIN prefixKM8

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Hyundai Kona

About the Hyundai Kona

Hyundai has sold the Kona in the US since the 2018 model year, and there have been two generations. The OS came first (2018–2023), and the SX2 took over for 2024–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 15 vehicle recall campaigns and 959 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the OS. Its 2019 and 2020 model years alone account for 434 of them, with owners bringing up engine and cooling most often and the electrical system after that. EPA rates the OS at 23–32 mpg combined, while the SX2 gets 26–31 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2018–2026

GenerationsOS · SX2

NHTSA recall campaigns15

Owner complaints959 at NHTSA

Hyundai Kona photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Hyundai Kona generations

Two generations since the 2018 model year. The OS (2018–2023) has both the most owner complaints and the most recall campaigns (9).

2 / 2

SX2

2024–20262nd generation

Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

20182025

2024–2026· Generation 2 of 2

SX2 · 2nd generation

PlatformHyundai-Kia K3

EPA combined mpg26–31

NHTSA recalls6

Engines (EPA)

1.6 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2024–2026
2.0 L 4-cyl · 2024–2026
Electric · 2024–2025

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD, FWD
automatic (2024–2026), CVT (2024–2026)

Known issues to check

Electrical system (54)Forward collision avoidance (17)Engine and cooling (13)1 high-risk recall campaign

Mentions in 105 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · SX2KM8HECA3?RU······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2024 Hyundai Kona Limited, built in Ulsan, South Korea

Check a Kona VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Kona model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 15 campaigns on file for Kona model years 2018–2026, and the 2020 shows up in more of them than any other year (5), ahead of the 2019 (4). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Hyundai Kona owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2019 and 2020 hold 434 of the 959 complaints, or 45%. Tap any bar or generation.

959NHTSA complaints, 2018–2026

51mention a crash

23mention a fire

49injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearSX2: 105 complaints · most for the 2024 (67)

Top complaint areas · SX2

Mentions in 105 complaints, 2024–2026.

Electrical system54

Forward collision avoidance17

Engine and cooling13

Brakes12

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)11

Exterior lighting9

Crashes 8Fires 0Injuries 11

2024–2026 (SX2)

NHTSA data summary

Electrical system owns this generation. Its 54 mentions are more than twice the next area, forward collision avoidance (17). Its first model year, the 2024, drew more complaints than any other (67 of 105).

What Kona owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2018–2023 (1st generation)

Engine complaints lead NHTSA reports for the 2019, with owners describing stalls, check engine lights, knocking and oil consumption. A recall covers 2019–2021 models with the 2.0-liter engine whose piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which can damage the engine. CarComplaints, with about two dozen reports for 2018, ranks a blind spot collision warning that shuts down first, followed by radio stations that change on their own and poor fuel mileage. [1] [2]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, especially the piston oil ring recall on 2019–2021 models with the 2.0-liter engine, and ask whether the engine was inspected or replaced under it.
Ask for oil change records and check the oil level.
On the drive, listen for knocking, watch for stalls or a check engine light and test the blind spot warning and radio.

Sources (2) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Kona complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Electric Kona versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

959complaints, 2018–2026

51mention a crash

23mention a fire

49injuries reported

1complaint reports a death

Most complaints: 2019 (247), 2020 (187), 2021 (143)

2019 · 247 complaints

Crashes 13 · fires 6 · injuries 7

Engine138

Electrical system60

Unknown or other24

Power train23

Fuel/propulsion system20

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Kona CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 54 Kona versions for model years 2018–2026 (gas and electric). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 281 g/mi (2023). Electric versions have none at the tailpipe. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

OS2018–2023

23–32 mpg · 120 MPGe electric · CO₂ 0–396 g/mi

SX22024–2026

26–31 mpg · 103–118 MPGe electric · CO₂ 0–340 g/mi

Model year2025

31combined MPG

284CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$2,150EPA yearly fuel cost

6/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

6/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: FWD · Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 2.0 L — 31 MPG · 284 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

GasElectric

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Kona vs Honda HR-V vs Kia Seltos

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2018–2023. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the Kona, against 10 for the Honda HR-V and 3 for the Kia Seltos. Pick a range to compare.

Hyundai KonaSX2

Model years 2024–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 6
NHTSA owner complaints: 105
EPA combined mpg: 26–31
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.6, 2.0 L · Electric
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 4★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 54
Forward collision avoidance 17
Engine and cooling 13

Honda HR-V

Model years 2024–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 4
NHTSA owner complaints: 169
EPA combined mpg: 27–28
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Steering 67
Forward collision avoidance 25
Electrical system 22

Kia Seltos

Model years 2024–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 2
NHTSA owner complaints: 62
EPA combined mpg: 25–31
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.6, 2.0 L
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 19
Engine and cooling 12
Forward collision avoidance 9

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Hyundai Kona VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Kona

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Orange Hyundai Kona (second generation) crossover, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The Kona subcompact crossover carries its VIN on a plate at the lower driver's side windshield. Door jamb sticker and a B-pillar label are the secondary locations. The Kona Electric variant adds a battery housing label accessible from under the vehicle. Early Kona Electric models (2019-2021) were subject to a battery fire recall, the VIN check will confirm whether the remedy was completed. The SX2 generation starts with the 2024 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (R for 2024) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Hyundai Kona VIN questions

Which Hyundai Kona model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2019 leads with 247, ahead of the 2020 (187) and 2021 (143). Those first two alone make up 45% of the 959 Kona complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Hyundai Kona had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 15 vehicle campaigns for model years 2018–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, OS leads with 9. Then come the SX2 (6), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Hyundai Kona recalls are high risk?

NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 20V-630, 21V-127, 21V-301, 23V-526 and 23V-901. Park-outside advisories came with 20V-630, 21V-127 and 23V-526. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which Kona generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the OS is 2018–2023 and the SX2 2024–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (R is 2024).

What fuel economy does the Hyundai Kona get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2024–2026 SX2 at 26–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 23–32 mpg for the 2018–2023 OS (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Hyundai Kona compare with the Honda HR-V and Kia Seltos on recalls?

For 2024–2026 models the Kona has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Honda HR-V has 4, the Kia Seltos 2. Complaints run 105, 169 and 62 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Hyundai Kona have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Kona 4 stars overall. Both rated versions, FWD and AWD, get that score.

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About the Hyundai Kona

Hyundai Kona generations