2021 Hyundai Kona

I am writing to formally escalate a serious safety concern regarding my 2021 Hyundai Kona Ultimate, which was sold to me as a new vehicle in April 2021 but was equipped with tires manufactured in 2019 at the time of delivery. This issue raises significant concerns regarding product safety, quality control, and customer protection. I have already contacted Hyundai Customer Care and have been working with a case manager regarding this matter. During our conversation on February 23, 2026, I was informed that the issue would be investigated and that I would receive an update by February 27, 2026. As of today, I have not received any meaningful response or resolution. The absence of communication and delay in addressing a matter that directly affects the safety of my family is unacceptable. I currently reside in the Boston, Massachusetts area, where winter driving conditions regularly involve snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. Tires are one of the most critical safety components of a vehicle under these conditions. Installing tires that were already approximately two years old at the time the vehicle was sold as new significantly reduced the usable safe life of those tires. According to guidance provided by the tire manufacturer, tires installed on new vehicles should ideally be recently manufactured, and tire age is a key safety consideration regardless of mileage. Because the tires on my Kona were manufactured in 2019, their safe service life has effectively been shortened by several years through no fault of my own.

I recently blew out my front tire and put on the Hyundai supplied emergency spare. Within 15 minutes of driving, no more than 10 miles, I was flagged down by another driver because a huge cloud of smoke was coming from my car. I had the car towed into a dealership and they informed me that the spare tire that Hyundai supplied me damaged the transfer casing on the front tire, causing the smoke. I was told to never put that tire on the front of my car or it will again damage my car. I contacted first my local selling dealer. They were no help. They informed me that the spare tire was the correct part and I needed to contact Hyundai directly, which I did. After a week of investigation, [XXX], from their National Consumer Affairs department, indicates that Hyundai has essentially washed their hands of my problem and said it is the correct part and I should use that. I said it damaged my car and the response was it is only supposed to be on long enough to get to a repair shop. My car was overheating after only 10 miles. Smoke was coming from my car after 15 minutes. What if I was on a highway when the tire blew? It could be much longer than 10 miles. Would the car catch on fire? Will Hyundai take responsibility for the possibility of my car catching on fire? What about the dangers to myself and my family? Hyundai is taking no further action on this. I am to use the supplied part, damage, or no damage. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).