What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2021 Hyundai Kona

Typical pattern

16% of complaints about the 2021 Hyundai Kona came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2021 vehicle — around the middle of the 159 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 3.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (77 complaints), typically at 3.4 yr or about 23,700 miles.

Complaints
150
Median age at failure
3.3 yr
Median mileage
23,700 n=33
Crash / fire / tow
11.3% of reports
Safety recalls
1

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
77 reports · 23,700 mi
3.4 yr
11.7%
Other
18 reports · 5,331 mi
3.7 yr
16.7%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

21V301000 2021-04-28
Engine

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.

A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.

In owners’ own words

Engine 4,700 mi 5 mo in service
BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUGUST 2020. IN FEBRUARY 2021 THE CAR BEGAN TO STALL FREQUENTLY AND IT WAS RUNNING VERY LOUD. I DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS ALMOST NO OIL IN THE CAR WITH LESS THAN 5,000 MILES ON IT. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DETERMINED THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR (BUT STILL PAYING FOR IT MONTHLY) SINCE MID-FEBRUARY. IT IS NOW LATE APRIL.
Engine 50 mi 7 mo in service
VEHICLE HESITATES TO ACCELERATE EASILY AND GAS PEDDLE MUST BE SHARPLY APPLIED TO MOVE FORWARD. SYMPTOMS OCCUR DAILY WHEN DRIVING ON CITY STREETS.
Engine mileage not reported 9 mo in service
After loud explosion sound, the engine stalled 3 times recently while driving and today. No brake, hard steering wheel, and almost bumped the car front of me. I took my car to a dealer last week and they said no fix despite of safety recall. Without any warning, first it happened 3 weeks ago.
Other 5,331 mi 5 mo in service
HEADLIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE! THEY GET FULL ON CONDENSATION OBSTRUCTING THE LIGHTS AND ROAD AHEAD. THEY GO OFF AN ON WHILE YOU'RE DRIVING. HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SEND A BULLETIN TO ALL THEIR DEALERS NOT TO REPLACE THEM. THIS IS COMPROMISING OUR VIEW AT NIGHT SINCE THE LIGHTS GO OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. WE ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT! HELP

Other Kona model years

2024202320222021202020192018

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