2026 Hyundai Kona Steering Arm Recall (26V069)

Recall 26V069 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2026 Hyundai Kona in recall 26V069?

Due to a manufacturing error, the front steering knuckles may crack and break, which can result in a loss of vehicle steering control.

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Kona vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front steering knuckles may crack and break, which can result in a loss of vehicle steering control.

Is it safe to drive a 2026 Kona with recall 26V069?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A loss of vehicle steering control increases the risk of a crash.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: A loss of vehicle steering control increases the risk of a crash.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Kona shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the arm, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 26V069?

Recall 26V069 covers 4,555 vehicles: 2026 Hyundai Kona.

NHTSA lists 4,555 vehicles in this campaign, built October 31, 2025 to December 22, 2025. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the Kona steering arm recall?

Yes. Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckles, as necessary, free of charge.

Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckles, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 5, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 295. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 7, 2026.

When was recall 26V069 announced?

Hyundai Motor America reported recall 26V069 to NHTSA on February 5, 2026. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as March 5, 2026.

This recall was filed 7 months ago, and vehicles were built over a span of 52 days. If your Kona was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my Kona is part of recall 26V069?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 26V069 is open on your Kona, it will be listed there.

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 26V069000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.

What should Kona owners do about recall 26V069?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 26V069000 applies to your Kona.
2. Book the recall appointment with any authorized Hyundai dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
3. Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
4. Keep a simple log of any arm symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.

What are Kona owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 0 of them about the steering.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the steering have been filed since recall 26V069 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 9 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 0 of them involve the steering. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2026 Hyundai Kona: 9 complaints in total, 0 about the steering

Can recall 26V069 make my Kona a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

Steering defects go straight to safety. Under California's lemon law, a defect likely to cause death or serious injury can create a presumption after just two repair attempts, if the manufacturer was also notified directly.

The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.

California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 26V069