The problem
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Kona Electric and 2024-2026 Kona vehicles. The seat belt buckle in the rear center seat may fail to properly restrain an occupant during a crash.
The risk
A seat belt buckle that fails to properly restrain an occupant in a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix
Passengers are advised not to use the rear center seat until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 306. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 15, 2026.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 26V-452 (26V452000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 306 |
| Manufacturer | Hyundai Motor America |
| Component | Seat belts › Rear/other › Buckle assembly |
| Report date | July 14, 2026 |
| Owners notified | September 2, 2026 |
| Vehicles affected | 47,787 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Plus 1 other model/year combinations not covered on this site.
Owner complaints about the seat belts
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 26V-452 repair free?
Yes. Hyundai dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Passengers are advised not to use the rear center seat until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2026.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 47,787 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.