2026 HYUNDAI KONA SE

The auction record identifies the vehicle as having a Certificate of Salvage, with “Rejected Repair” listed as the primary damage classification. These are auction designations and should be treated as unverified claims. Stage 1’s photo-based assessment supports a salvage-level condition because of the extensive front-end component removal, missing body panels, visible exterior deformation, and deployed airbags. However, the photos cannot confirm that the vehicle was specifically a rejected repair. The vehicle has severe front-end damage. The front bumper cover, grille, and both headlamp assemblies are missing, leaving internal components and wiring exposed. Multiple detached front-end parts, including bumper and grille components, lighting-related parts, trim, and airbag components, are shown beside the vehicle. Both front fenders are absent, exposing the wheelhouse areas. The hood is raised and distorted at the front corners, with uneven gaps around the exposed front end. Both front doors have large diagonal dents and creases. The exterior handles are missing from both doors, and their mounting areas are open. Lower rocker-panel trim is missing on both sides, exposing mounting holes and the underlying panel edges. A minor scuff is visible on the lower left rear bumper corner. Large frontal airbags are visibly deployed across the dashboard and windshield area. The instrument cluster also displays a “Check Active Air Flap System” warning. The available information does not establish the cause of this warning or confirm a component failure, but the system should be diagnosed during inspection and repair. NHTSA records list three recalls for certain 2026 Hyundai Kona vehicles: recall 26V047000 for an instrument-panel software error that may prevent critical information from displaying; recall 26V069000 for front steering knuckles that may crack and cause loss of steering control; and recall 26V452000 concerning the rear center-seat belt buckle. The applicable remedies are a software update, inspection and replacement of the steering knuckles as necessary, and replacement of the rear center-seat belt buckle, respectively. Recall completion and vehicle-specific applicability should be verified by VIN before purchase.