Hyundai Recalls 47,749 Kona and Kona Electric SUVs Over Rear Seatbelt Issue
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Hyundai has announced a safety recall affecting 47,749 Kona and Kona Electric SUVs in the United States due to a potential defect in the rear center seatbelt buckle. According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the affected seatbelt may fail to properly restrain a passenger during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Owners of affected vehicles are advised not to use the rear center seat until the necessary repair has been completed.
Which Hyundai Models Are Affected?
The recall includes the following vehicles:
| Model | Model Year | Vehicles Affected |
|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Kona | 2026 | 47,733 |
| Hyundai Kona Electric | 2025 | 16 |
| Total | 47,749 |
While the recall mainly affects the 2026 Hyundai Kona, it also includes a very small number of 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric SUVs.
What Is the Problem?
According to Hyundai’s recall documents submitted to the NHTSA, the issue involves the rear center seatbelt buckle.
The company says the buckle may have been manufactured outside normal production specifications because of an improperly maintained stamping die used by one of its suppliers. Over time, wear on the tooling was not identified during inspections, allowing parts that did not meet specifications to enter production.
As a result, the rear center seatbelt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, which could increase the likelihood of injury.
Is There Any Warning Before the Seatbelt Fails?
Unfortunately, no.
Hyundai says there is no prior warning that the rear center seatbelt buckle has the manufacturing defect. Because drivers cannot identify the issue themselves, the automaker recommends avoiding the rear center seat until the recall repair has been completed.
It is a simple precaution that could make a big difference. Nobody wants to discover a faulty seatbelt when it actually matters.
What Will Hyundai Do to Fix the Issue?
Hyundai will repair affected vehicles free of charge.
Dealer technicians will:
- Inspect the affected vehicle.
- Replace the potentially faulty rear center seatbelt buckle with an updated component.
The repair is covered under the recall, so owners will not have to pay for the replacement.
When Will Owners Be Notified?
Hyundai plans to begin notifying both vehicle owners and dealerships by September 11, 2026.
Once owners receive the notification, they can schedule an appointment with their local Hyundai dealership to have the updated seatbelt buckle installed.
How to Check if Your Hyundai Kona Is Included
If you own a 2026 Hyundai Kona or a 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric, you can check whether your SUV is included in the recall by entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall lookup tool or by contacting your local Hyundai dealership.
Hyundai's Response
Hyundai says it has already improved its manufacturing process. According to the recall documents, die maintenance inspection standards were strengthened in January 2026 to help prevent similar production issues in the future.
Final Thoughts
Safety recalls are never welcome news, but they are an important part of keeping vehicles safe on the road. In this case, Hyundai is addressing a manufacturing issue that could affect the performance of the rear center seatbelt buckle on certain Kona models.
If your vehicle is part of the recall, it is best to avoid using the rear center seat until the repair has been completed and schedule the free fix as soon as owner notifications begin.
Sources & References
Official Sources
1. Hyundai USA
https://www.hyundaiusa.com/
Official Hyundai USA website with vehicle information, owner support, and recall announcements.
2. Hyundai Recall Lookup
https://autoservice.hyundaiusa.com/CampaignHome
Official Hyundai USA recall checker where owners can enter their VIN to see if their vehicle is affected.
3. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
https://www.nhtsa.gov/
The official U.S. government agency responsible for vehicle safety, recalls, and crash investigations.
4. NHTSA Recall Lookup
https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
Official VIN lookup tool to check whether a vehicle has an open safety recall.
Trusted Automotive References
5. Car and Driver
https://www.caranddriver.com/
One of the most trusted automotive publications in North America, covering vehicle reviews, recalls, and industry news.
6. MotorTrend
https://www.motortrend.com/
Well-known automotive magazine providing news, reviews, and recall coverage.
7. Edmunds
https://www.edmunds.com/
Trusted source for vehicle reviews, pricing, ownership information, and recall news.
8. Kelley Blue Book (KBB)
https://www.kbb.com/
Popular automotive resource for vehicle values, ownership advice, and safety information.
9. Cars.com
https://www.cars.com/
Provides vehicle research, reviews, recall information, and buying advice.
Canadian Sources
10. Transport Canada Recalls
https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/
Official Government of Canada website for vehicle safety recalls.
Australian Sources
11. Australian Government Product Safety Recalls
https://www.productsafety.gov.au/recalls
Official Australian Government recall database covering vehicles and consumer products.
