NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data
The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.
As of June 2026, the NHTSA has logged 35 complaints against the 2024 Hyundai Kona. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2024 Hyundai Kona complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.
The 2024 Hyundai Kona has generated 85 NHTSA complaints and has 3 active recalls. If your 2024 Hyundai Kona has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. Hyundai pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.
Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2024 Hyundai Kona include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 30 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, the vehicle failed to restart. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was jumpstarted by AAA Roadside Assistance to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact replaced the battery. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,200.” (NHTSA Complaint #11723236)
Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2024 Hyundai Kona include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 6 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “While at a light, the auto stop/start kicked on but when it was time to start driving again and I pressed the gas pedal, the car would not move. There was a long beep and then the check battery icon and an alert came on my dash board stating “Auto Stop is Off. Shift to P or N and start engine manually.” When I turned off the ignition and restarted the car, the alert went off but two additional icons showed up on my dash board- check engine and check oil. Then my steering wheel locked up and I could not press on the breaks or gas pedal. I could not operate my car for more than 30 minutes.” (NHTSA Complaint #11684082)
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2024 Hyundai Kona have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 6 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “A few different days over the past few months. Driving heated seats stopped working. Check engine warning light on intermittently. Key fob not working. Multiple error codes stored in system cleared by dealer. shut down the car screen has stayed on. AC light has stayed on when car is off. Screen has turned off “check you back seat” upon leaving the car heard the engine still on 3x. At the gas station turned off the car, miles to zero reading 5, P park stays on, odometer reading on. As tank filling miles to zero rapidly increased from 5 to 300. I have a video of this. Been in for service multiple times. Presently at the dealer. They r unable to replicate this. They do not seem concerned about this. I feel it is a safety and operational concern. Prefer by car not be communicating even with itself while I’m pumping gas. They want me to pick up the car. I do not wish to. I have asked if miles to zero reading is supposed to increase real time I would like to see this is the manual or other documentation. Otherwise I feel it is a huge safety risk to have my car not shut down when I ask it to. What’s to say it won’t shut down while I’m driving 75mph on the freeway? Thank you” (NHTSA Complaint #11672914)
Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2024 Hyundai Kona have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 6 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “Multiple people I know with 2024 Hyundai Kona AWD cars are having the same problem around 10k or so miles. The AWD is locking up. Car feels like rear wheels are slipping when turning and accelerating out of a full or partial stop. This is a widespread problem on this model and I am very surprised it is not a recall yet. Many drivers are having coupler or entire rear differential replaced on their cars-some less than 1 year old, or about 1 year old.” (NHTSA Complaint #11668688)
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2024 Hyundai Kona have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 6 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the engine shut off message displayed. The vehicle was able to restart. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.” (NHTSA Complaint #11610955)
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2024 Hyundai Kona by the NHTSA or Hyundai. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.
Component: SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: 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.
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: 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.
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: 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.
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2024 Hyundai Kona:
Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Hyundai to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Hyundai must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.
If your 2024 Hyundai Kona qualifies as a lemon under California law, Hyundai may be legally required to:
Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.
Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Hyundai a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Hyundai dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.
Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Hyundai pays your fees if you win.
Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Hyundai a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.
Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Hyundai is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.
Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.
California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.
If your 2024 Hyundai Kona has a recurring defect, California’s Lemon Law may entitle you to a full refund, replacement vehicle, or cash settlement — at no cost to you.
Our attorneys answer the questions we hear most from California vehicle owners — fully updated for 2026.
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