Close to average, with some engine failures
The 2018 Kona has about 160 complaints per 100,000 sold. Engine failures and engine fires appear on some cars.
Updated November 2026 · based on 75 owner complaints and 0 recalls
Not rated
159 16% below the Kona average
0 free to fix at a dealer
Every Kona year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Top problems and what they cost
Engine failure
Knocking, smoke or a seized engine.
Fix: Engine $5,000 to $8,000 if not covered
Engine
Recalls
No recalls for this year.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2018 Hyundai Kona
- Listen for knocking at idle and under load.Knocking, ticking or rattling from the engine, especially when cold, can mean worn bearings, lifters or a stretched timing chain. These are engine-out repairs costing thousands.45 of the 75 owner complaints about the 2018 Kona involve the engine (60%).
- Check by VIN for open recalls.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.No recalls are on record for the 2018 Kona, but a quick VIN check is still worth it.
Questions
Is the 2018 Hyundai Kona reliable?
Close to average, with some engine failures. The 2018 Kona has about 160 complaints per 100,000 sold. Engine failures and engine fires appear on some cars.
How many recalls does the 2018 Hyundai Kona have?
0 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Hyundai dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2018 Hyundai Kona problems?
Engine failure.
Crash rating shown for the 2018 Hyundai Kona SUV FWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.