NHTSA Recall 26V452000: Hyundai Kona & Kona Electric Rear Seat Belt Recall

What the recall covers

Recall 26V452000 covers rear center seat belt buckle assemblies that were manufactured outside of specification. The buckle is the receiver the middle-rear passenger clicks into. Because it was built out of spec, it may not properly restrain that occupant during a crash, reducing seat belt performance and increasing the risk of injury. Hyundai advises that no one ride in the rear center seat until the repair is completed.

The remedy

Hyundai dealers will replace the rear center seat belt buckle assembly free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 11, 2026, though affected VINs became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 15, 2026 — owners do not have to wait for the letter to schedule the repair.

What owners should do now

• Do not let anyone use the rear center seat until the buckle has been replaced.
• Check your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls now — VINs went live July 15, 2026, ahead of the letters.
• Schedule the free buckle replacement at an authorized Hyundai dealer; you don't need to wait for the September 11 letter.
• Keep the recall letter and every repair order — they document the defect and the date you were notified.
• If the replacement buckle still binds, latches poorly, or the warning light returns, note the dates and save the paperwork.

How to check your VIN

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is included by entering the 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or by calling the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236. Affected gasoline Konas were built July 8, 2025 through February 13, 2026; affected Kona Electrics were built July 8 through October 21, 2025. Inclusion depends on the VIN, not just the model and year.

Hyundai customer service: 855-371-9460 (Hyundai's number for this recall is 306) — recall updates at hyundaiusa.com.

When this recall can become a California lemon law claim

A recall is not automatically a lemon — it is the manufacturer acknowledging a defect and offering a free fix. Your Hyundai may qualify under California's Lemon Law if the recall repair is significantly delayed, doesn't resolve the problem, or your vehicle has other unrepaired warranty defects. In those cases you may be entitled to a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement, with the manufacturer paying your attorney fees. For the full breakdown, see the guides below.