Last updated: 2026-08-24
Ford Mustang Mach-E vs Hyundai Kona: Reliability Compared
Ford Mustang Mach-E
Hyundai Kona
Choosing between the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Hyundai Kona? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Ford Mustang Mach-E currently leads with an average score of 72/100 compared to 65/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is more reliable than the Hyundai Kona, scoring 72/100 vs 65/100.
Key Differences
- 1Ford Mustang Mach-E scores 7 points higher in reliability
- 2Ford Mustang Mach-E has 3 fewer total recalls
- 3Ford Mustang Mach-E has 2.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Ford Mustang Mach-E vs Hyundai Kona: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Mustang Mach-E | Hyundai Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 72/100 | 65/100 |
| Years Tracked | 4 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 13 | 16 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 10.7 | 13.4 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 2 (1 tied) | 1 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai Kona?
| Component | Ford Mustang Mach-E | Hyundai Kona |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3.6Average | 3.3Average |
| ENGINE | 0.1Very Low | 4.5Average |
| POWER TRAIN | 2.1Low | 1.6Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.2Low | 1.8Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.8Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.7Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.6Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Ford Mustang Mach-E vs Hyundai Kona Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Mustang Mach-E | Hyundai Kona | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 74/1002R / 0C | 67/1002R / 4C | Ford Mustang Mach-E |
| 2025 | 72/1005R / 8C | 74/1000R / 21C | Hyundai Kona |
| 2024 | 74/1003R / 35C | 68/1003R / 50C | Ford Mustang Mach-E |
| 2023 | 66/1003R / 104C | 66/1002R / 68C | Tie |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E scored 74/100 and the 2025 Hyundai Kona scored 74/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Ford Mustang Mach-E vs Hyundai Kona: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Mustang Mach-E more reliable than the Hyundai Kona?
- Based on our data, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is more reliable with an average score of 72/100 compared to 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Mustang Mach-E or the Hyundai Kona?
- The Hyundai Kona has more recalls (16) compared to the Ford Mustang Mach-E (13). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Mustang Mach-E or the Hyundai Kona?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Ford Mustang Mach-E has a lower complaint rate at 10.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 13.4 for the Hyundai Kona. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Ford Mustang Mach-E or Hyundai Kona safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Ford Mustang Mach-E has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Hyundai Kona. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Ford Mustang Mach-E comparisons
Decided between Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai Kona? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases via vehicles.dev. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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