Hyundai Recalls 47K Kona, Kona Electric SUVs over Seatbelt Issue
Hyundai issued a recall for 47,749 Kona and Kona Electric SUVs due to faulty seatbelt buckles in the rear center seat.
Key Takeaways
- Hyundai issued a recall for 47,749 Kona and Kona Electric SUVs due to faulty seatbelt buckles in the rear center seat.
- The recall covers the 2026 Kona as well as a handful of 2025 Kona Electric SUVs.
- The issue stems from a manufacturing defect caused by an improperly maintained stamping die used by a supplier.
- Hyundai plans to notify owners and dealers of the issue by September 11, with instructions for owners to bring their vehicle to a dealership for the remedy.
- Dealer technicians will replace the potentially faulty seatbelt buckle with an updated version.
What is the Reason for the Recall?
The recall is due to a manufacturing defect caused by an improperly maintained stamping die used by a supplier. The lack of inspection resulted in wear from overuse and allowed for deviations from the normal production standards.
According to Hyundai, die maintenance inspection standards improvements were implemented in January 2026 to combat the issue.
Which Vehicles are Affected?
The recall covers the 2026 Kona as well as a handful of 2025 Kona Electric SUVs. The former’s recall population spans 47,733 vehicles, while the latter covers only 16 cars.
What Should Owners Do?
There’s no prior warning that the seatbelt buckle may have the production issue, so owners are urged to avoid using the rear center seat until they have the fix installed.
Hyundai plans to notify owners and dealers of the issue by September 11, with instructions for owners to bring their vehicle to a dealership for the remedy.
How Will the Issue be Resolved?
Dealer technicians will replace the potentially faulty seatbelt buckle with an updated version.
Any owners concerned that their vehicle may be included in the recall can check on the NHTSA website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the reason for the recall?
The recall is due to a manufacturing defect caused by an improperly maintained stamping die used by a supplier.
Q: Which vehicles are affected?
The recall covers the 2026 Kona as well as a handful of 2025 Kona Electric SUVs.
Q: What should owners do?
Owners are urged to avoid using the rear center seat until they have the fix installed and should bring their vehicle to a dealership for the remedy.
