Hyundai Kona problems
The Hyundai Kona (Korean: 현대 코나) is a subcompact crossover SUV produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai. The first-generation Kona debuted in June 2017 and the production version was revealed later that year. It is positioned between the Venue or Bayon and the Tucson in Hyundai crossover SUV line-up. The battery electric version called the Kona Electric (or Kona EV) was first launched in South Korea during the first half of 2018 and rolled out gradually worldwide afterwards.
Naming
The Kona is named after the western district of the island of Hawaiʻi. The company stated the name "reflects the lifestyle of modern customers", in line with its "progressive design" that it adopts. The Kona naming also continues Hyundai's tradition of naming crossover SUV models after famous travel destinations, including the Creta, Santa Fe, Tucson and Veracruz.
The vehicle is marketed in Portugal as the Hyundai Kauai, as Kona is too similar to cona, a slang word for the female genitalia in European Portuguese. It's also sold in Iceland where the word kona means woman in Icelandic. Like Kona, Kauai is a place in Hawaii. It is also Hawaiian for lady.
In China, the vehicle was sold as the Hyundai Encino.
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Hyundai Kona model years
Common Hyundai Kona problems
The Hyundai Kona, a subcompact SUV, has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners.
Another common problem with the Hyundai Kona is related to its advanced safety system, specifically the blind-spot collision warning system. The 2018 model has been reported to have issues with the blind-spot collision warning system shutting down unexpectedly, which can be a significant safety concern.
In addition to engine and safety system issues, the Hyundai Kona has also been reported to have problems with its infotainment system. Some owners have reported issues with the radio station changing by itself, which could be due to electromagnetic interference or a problem with the power source of the radio system.
The Blue Link, Hyundai's advanced features suite, has also been reported to have connectivity issues in the 2018 Kona. Owners have reported problems with the system refusing to connect or displaying error codes, which can be a significant inconvenience.
Finally, some owners have reported poor mileage with the Hyundai Kona, with some experiencing a drop in mileage over time. This could be due to various factors, including winter weather or gas quality.
In summary, the Hyundai Kona has been reported to have several common problems, including engine issues, safety system problems, infotainment system problems, connectivity issues, and poor mileage. These issues have been reported by owners of various model years, with the 2018 and 2019 models being particularly affected.
Are there any issues with the Hyundai Kona?
According to the recall campaign reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the defective Konas carry a risk of stalling and, in some cases, spontaneous fires. The 2021 recall follows several prior recalls addressing other issues in certain Kona model vehicles.
Are Hyundai Kona reliable cars?
The 2024 Hyundai Kona has a predicted reliability score of 82 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
Does the Hyundai Kona have transmission problems?
If you don't routinely and regularly change your fluids at least every 30,000 miles or so, you may find that your 2023 Hyundai Kona transmission will quickly slip.
Which Kona is recalled?
Hyundai is recalling over 1700 examples of its recently introduced second-generation Kona as they pose a potential fire risk. The recall affects only vehicles with the turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Hyundai Kona years
We have researched Hyundai problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Hyundai Kona cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Hyundai Kona model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Hyundai Kona model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Hyundai Kona years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Hyundai Kona car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Hyundai Kona , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Engine problems
- Electrical system problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Power train problems
- Forward collision avoidance problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Hyundai Kona vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Kona model years
A total of 32 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Kona model years
There were a total of 18 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Kona model years
There were a total of 28 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with deaths by Kona model years
There were a total of 1 complaints that resulted in a death. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 516 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Hyundai Kona . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Hyundai Kona vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Hyundai Kona 2018
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-18
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-23
- VIN: KM8K53A55JU
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Vehicle was traveling down the highway with cruise control on and suddenly proceeded to not maintain speed and lost the ability to accelerate and shake in the middle of the interstate. Check engine light came on after this and we were able to limp it off the highway onto the ramp. No warning lights, no over heating, or any signs were given prior to this incident to give the impression this vehicle would stop operating. My family's safety was put at risk as it lost speed suddenly on the interstate in the middle of traffic and could have caused other cars to hit us as we slowed and tried to get over to access the ramp. Vehicle was towed and inspected at a local mechanic and was informed there was oil burned on the spark plugs and cylinder 1 and 3 had little to no compression.
Hyundai Kona 2018
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-10
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-22
- VIN: KM8K33A54JU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while her daughter was driving at undisclosed speeds, the engine warning light illuminated. There was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined there was knock in the cylinder. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the cam was overworked and both cams had overproduced. Additionally, there was a misfire in cylinders number 1, 2, and 4. There was a power imbalance test performed, which determined that cylinder #3 was the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,745.
Hyundai Kona 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-18
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-18
- VIN: KM8K1CAA2MU
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle downshifted unintendedly. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission piston ring had failed. The mechanic determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.
Hyundai Kona 2024
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-17
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-17
- VIN: KM8HECA38RU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 7 months old Kona with 700 miles on it. Woke up one morning with a "Totally" dead battery. The internet is full of incidents such as mine--new Konas with dead batteries. The dealer could not give me a service date until one month later. Car is still at the dealer...
Hyundai Kona 2023
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-22
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-16
- VIN: KM8K2CAB2PU
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: I received a notification by email from NHTSA about a recall for our 2023 Hyundai Kona N. It states that the recall has to do with Loss of Drive Power from Fuel Pump Failure. Your recall ID 24V528 sent July 22, I phoned the dealer, Mike Murphy in Peoria, Illinois and they could not find this recall. I have an appointment with them on Oct 24 to bring in my car for an oil change and to fix a recall on the trunk lock (I was not given any info on this recall until I contacted the dealership). Since I put in my VIN # above, It did not turn up anything either. What's going on and why are you sending Recalls that have nothing to do with my vehicle (?)
Hyundai Kona 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-08
- VIN: KM8K12AA5MU
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Stalled out
Hyundai Kona 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-19
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-06
- VIN: KM8K1CAA5MU
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: While driving on the interstate highway the engine stopped. The circumstances surrounding the failure matched those for Kona VINs that were recalled.
Hyundai Kona 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-20
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-23
- VIN: KM8K33A56LU
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: When stopped at a light, I hit the gas and the car just sputtered. The car jolted and did not move, finally, hit the gas again it was able to move. It has happen before. My roommate's Dad told me I need to keep track of problem and file a report. I was told the injectors needed to be cleaned. I put injector cleaner into it, It seem to help but it happened again. It seems the dealer just says something needs to be cleaned.
Hyundai Kona 2018
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-18
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-18
- VIN: KM8K62AA6JU
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: While trying to accelerate on a on ramp onto the interstate, I felt my engine begin to knock. I pulled over and was able to get the car to drive home. The next morning my car would not turn over. I had it towed to my mechanic. They said it was bone dry of oil, I have always had it regularly serviced. They diagnosed it with engine failure. I’m just above the 60000 mile warranty at 63000 and Hyundai refuses to honor the warranty or help with the engine failure.
Hyundai Kona 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-13
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-16
- Fire: 1
- VIN: KM8K33A57MU
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
- Summary: I had a 2021 Hyundai Kona limited. On Friday 09/13/2024 my engine caught fire and my car was a total loss. Minutes before the fire I noticed some smoke, all of my dash lights came on and the car shut down. Seconds after stopping the vehicle and getting out the whole engine went up in flames. There are recalls active for my make model and year, nothing for my specific vin number but will be reaching out to Hyundai corporate to see if they want to come look at the car, in case it needs to be added to the recall list.
Hyundai Kona 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2022-09-06
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-06
- VIN: KM8K22AA5KU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle then stalled. The contact pulled over and waited approximately 20 minutes before restarting the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had occurred at various speeds. The contact stated that the check engine warning light only recently illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had to be taken for an oil change monthly. The contact stated that there was no indication of an oil leak on the driveway. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
Hyundai Kona 2018
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-23
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-03
- VIN: KM8K3CA51JU
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: At approximately 10,000 miles the tread is separating from the tire
Hyundai Kona 2023
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-03
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-03
- VIN: KM8K62AB0PU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Horn does not work.
Hyundai Kona 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-01
- VIN: KM8K3CA54MU
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: Transmission has hard shift sometimes, and disengages in other times. It's very irratic.
Hyundai Kona 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-17
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-30
- VIN: KM8K1CAA6KU
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: My engine seems to have failed due to bad oil piston rings and Hyundai/ the dealership refused to look at it for that and denied my claim. Almost 3 weeks ago, my check engine light came on after (solid) after getting gas. It was running fine and I had an oil change appointment that Saturday so it should be good (I had a coupon expiring, so I was taking it in like 400 miles early for it's oil change). The car started losing a little bit power throughout the week- it didn't have the get up and go it usually does. On Saturday, first thing in the morning, on my way to my 8 am oil change, my car started a little rough (it had never done that before). I drive like 5 miles, then all of a sudden my car stutters, 2 blocks later dies, it restarted fine, but made a horrible noise. I drove it the block to the oil change place and my car was completely out of oil. No oil light ever came on and I have never been less than a quart (more than acceptable) at an oil change. There was no visible oil leak in my parking spot. It was towed to the dealership and the engine is blown. There has never been any visible oil leak and I have all records on carfax imputed by the mechanics.
Latest 5 recalls Hyundai Kona
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 8 recalls for different components of the Hyundai Kona.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Hyundai Kona 2024
- Report Received Date: 2024-05-01
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
- Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Elantra, Venue, and Kona vehicles. An electrical short circuit may occur in the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve assembly, which can result in a loss of drive power.
- Consequence: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 28, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 260.
- Model: Hyundai Kona 2024
- Report Received Date: 2023-12-26
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
- Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Kona vehicles. The 12-Volt battery cables may chafe against the engine control module bracket and short circuit during a crash.
- Consequence: A short circuit increases the risk of an engine compartment fire.
- Remedy: Dealers will install sheathing over the wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 252.
- Model: Hyundai Kona 2024
- Report Received Date: 2023-09-22
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
- Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Kona vehicles. The seat belt assemblies in the right and left rear seats may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupation Crash Protection" and 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
- Consequence: A seat belt that does not function properly may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 21, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 250.
- Model: Hyundai Kona 2023
- Report Received Date: 2023-07-27
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Park Out Side: 1
- Park Out Side: 1
- Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:PUMP
- Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat.
- Consequence: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
- Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting September 7, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 246.
- Model: Hyundai Kona 2019
- Report Received Date: 2021-04-28
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
- Consequence: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Latest negative Hyundai Kona car reviews
Latest positive Hyundai Kona car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2024
I'm so glad you're enjoying your new Hyundai! The complete redesign, tech, comfort, and size are all fantastic features. The back seat leg room is especially spacious, even for a mid-size car. And how about those ventilated cooled seats? They're such a great surprise! The gear shift being up by the wheel is also a brilliant design choice, creating so much open space in the middle with the retractable cup holders. The futuristic exterior is also a great touch. While the gas mileage may not be the absolute best, it's not a major issue for me, especially with other cars in the family being hybrids (Tucson & Santa Fe, which I also love). And let's not forget the 10-year warranty and free maintenance for 3 years - that's definitely a cherry on top!
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Vehicle year: 2023
I recently had my first experience with an EV when I rented a Ford Escape. Unfortunately, one of the power windows got stuck down on the first day, but luckily I was able to switch to a different car. I was excited to try out the Hyundai Kona, as I had always admired them. Although it is a small car and the cargo area was limited for three people, it handled well and was super fast and responsive with instant torque! The seats were firm but fairly comfortable, and I appreciated the 8-way power driver's seat and height-adjustable passenger seat, which are not always available on other cars. On a full charge, I was able to get around 260-270 miles. However, there were a couple of things that bothered me. Hyundai KIA has a trend of using silver plastic buttons on the dash and console, which can be blinding when the sun reflects off them. Additionally, the buttons are backlit by ice blue lighting, making them impossible to read during the day. The headlamps were also an issue for me, as they are very bright but do not spread out, so when turning a corner, you don't see anything until the light makes its way around the curve. The same goes for going uphill, where it's just bright light on the bottom and blackness above until the car points up. Another thing I'm not a big fan of is push buttons (or knobs like in the Escape) for the transmission, as I have to keep looking down to check. Overall, I enjoyed my experience with the Kona, but it is too small for my needs. It's worth noting that the 2023 Kona is the last year for this generation, and the totally new 2024 slightly larger Kona is arriving at dealerships as I write this review. Despite my minor complaints, I would still recommend the Kona to others.
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Vehicle year: 2019
I have always owned Hondas and Toyotas, but my son bought a Hyundai Santa Fe two years ago. I was convinced that Hyundai has upped the game and surpasses both by far. When my Rav4 started acting old and a little unreliable, I took the Kona for a test drive. I was sold. The ride is smooth, which is an important criterion for me. The turbo engine gets me out of merge lanes and into traffic in a heartbeat. I love the exterior look and find the interior far better quality. The dash is comfortably and better designed than either the Toyota CHR or Honda HRV, the other cars I considered. With the warranty and other incentives Hyundai offers, this car won hands down. I highly recommend the Kona to anyone looking for a reliable and stylish car.
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Vehicle year: 2022
I've been test driving new cars lately, anticipating a purchase in the near future. This week I drove three different Subarus, as well as the newly redesigned Honda HRV and the Hyundai Kona, including the N-Line model and an AWD SEL. As someone who has owned two Hondas and two Subarus, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed driving the Kona. While the cars I drove have significant differences in size and other features, I have to say that I found the Kona to be solid, stable, quiet (compared to its competitors) and full of value for its price. Both of the models I drove were loaded with a variety of features, including standard safety systems, leather or sport cloth seating, and in the case of the N-Line, a very peppy turbo engine. It was very fun to drive and seemed to be solid and a surprisingly roomy subcompact car. I'm 6 feet tall and it seemed to have plenty of leg room up front, as well as comfortable seats. I did not find the ride to be
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Vehicle year: 2022
I found this car on a dealer's lot. It has a sunroof and a full roof rack, and it's sort of a SEL Plus but at a SEL price. The seats, steering wheel, dashboard, radio, and three drive modes are all cool features. The ride is quiet and the steering is tight. I would definitely buy it again! It's been 18 months since I bought it new. Unfortunately, the hands-free phone charger malfunctioned within a month, but the part was replaced under warranty. The gas mileage around town while running errands is nice, averaging 28-30 mpg! On longer drives averaging 65 miles, I get 30-34 mpg, and at 75 mph, that's very good! At a steady 55 mph, it's closer to 40 mpg! However, with a car seat in the back, it gets a bit tight, and there isn't much adult legroom in the back. Carrying stuff home from Sam's Club or the grocery store requires some thought as storage is tight! Sometimes I put it in sport mode as the acceleration feels slow, but it takes a while to get used to that. With 8800 miles, I still like it! The ride is smooth, quiet, and the sound system is nice. It looks and feels sporty, but it just takes time to adjust to a smaller vehicle after years of larger SUVs. It is the most comfortable with two people, which is what I wanted. Once the car seat comes out, I'll probably fold down the rear seats to make more of a hatchback!
Are you having problems with your Hyundai Kona?
Winfield Greenholt 2025-09-09
Vehicle year: 2021
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share that I've been experiencing some noise from my engine after driving 5000km. At first, my dealer didn't believe me, but after a second visit, they have agreed to change the engine. Unfortunately, it's on back order, so I'll have to wait for 3 months. I must admit, I'm feeling a bit regretful about my decision to buy this car.
Alejandrin Crist 2025-09-01
Vehicle year: 2023
I had no idea that this vehicle couldn't handle bumper to bumper traffic due to its double clutch transmission overheating. The manufacturer's solution is to find a safe place to pull over and wait for it to cool down, but that's not always practical, especially in the mountains of British Columbia. Another suggestion is to wait in traffic with the brake on until there are several vehicle spaces in front of you, then creep forward, but that's not always possible on a four-lane highway. Unfortunately, if you have a trucker behind you who's getting paid by the mile, you might find yourself in a difficult situation. It seems that this car is best suited for town driving only.
Jordon Murray 2025-07-22
Vehicle year: 2020
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to let you know that I leased a car in June 2020 that was less than 10,000 miles and only 9 months old! Unfortunately, something in the engine area started making a rattling/knocking noise and a day or so later I noticed a lack of pick up on the highway. After making it off the highway, I pulled into a parking lot and lost all acceleration. The car would not move at all and the check engine light came on. I had it towed to the dealer who at first insisted there was nothing wrong with it as the check engine light was off and they couldn't replicate the acceleration problem. A day later they tell me Hyundai advised them to replace the engine! So, I'm currently waiting on a new engine to be delivered... Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns!
Donnell Abernathy 2025-07-07
Vehicle year: 2022
The 2022 Hyundai Kona N-Line AWD has a firm suspension that may not be suitable for everyone's preferences.
Francisco Pfannerstill 2025-07-02
Vehicle year: 2024
I have owned 4 Konos and have been very loyal to the brand. However, this particular car has been a nightmare due to multiple recalls and parts being on back order. The sunroof assembly motor has already failed and needs to be replaced. Additionally, all injectors failed and had to be reset. Despite only having 4100 miles, I have had to keep going to the shop. At this point, we are considering trading the car and avoiding Hyundai in the future. The poor customer service from Hyundai has only added to our frustration.