Hyundai Kona problems
The Hyundai Kona (Korean: 현대 코나) is a subcompact crossover SUV produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai. The first-generation Kona debuted in June 2017 and the production version was revealed later that year. It is positioned between the Venue or Bayon and the Tucson in Hyundai crossover SUV line-up. The battery electric version called the Kona Electric (or Kona EV) was first launched in South Korea during the first half of 2018 and rolled out gradually worldwide afterwards.
Naming
The Kona is named after the western district of the island of Hawaiʻi. The company stated the name "reflects the lifestyle of modern customers", in line with its "progressive design" that it adopts. The Kona naming also continues Hyundai's tradition of naming crossover SUV models after famous travel destinations, including the Creta, Santa Fe, Tucson and Veracruz.
The vehicle is marketed in Portugal as the Hyundai Kauai, as Kona is too similar to cona, a slang word for the female genitalia in European Portuguese. It's also sold in Iceland where the word kona means woman in Icelandic. Like Kona, Kauai is a place in Hawaii. It is also Hawaiian for lady.
In China, the vehicle was sold as the Hyundai Encino.
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Hyundai Kona model years
Common Hyundai Kona problems
The Hyundai Kona, a subcompact SUV, has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners.
Another common problem with the Hyundai Kona is related to its advanced safety system, specifically the blind-spot collision warning system. The 2018 model has been reported to have issues with the blind-spot collision warning system shutting down unexpectedly, which can be a significant safety concern.
In addition to engine and safety system issues, the Hyundai Kona has also been reported to have problems with its infotainment system. Some owners have reported issues with the radio station changing by itself, which could be due to electromagnetic interference or a problem with the power source of the radio system.
The Blue Link, Hyundai's advanced features suite, has also been reported to have connectivity issues in the 2018 Kona. Owners have reported problems with the system refusing to connect or displaying error codes, which can be a significant inconvenience.
Finally, some owners have reported poor mileage with the Hyundai Kona, with some experiencing a drop in mileage over time. This could be due to various factors, including winter weather or gas quality.
In summary, the Hyundai Kona has been reported to have several common problems, including engine issues, safety system problems, infotainment system problems, connectivity issues, and poor mileage. These issues have been reported by owners of various model years, with the 2018 and 2019 models being particularly affected.
Are there any issues with the Hyundai Kona?
According to the recall campaign reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the defective Konas carry a risk of stalling and, in some cases, spontaneous fires. The 2021 recall follows several prior recalls addressing other issues in certain Kona model vehicles.
Are Hyundai Kona reliable cars?
The 2024 Hyundai Kona has a predicted reliability score of 82 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
Does the Hyundai Kona have transmission problems?
If you don't routinely and regularly change your fluids at least every 30,000 miles or so, you may find that your 2023 Hyundai Kona transmission will quickly slip.
Which Kona is recalled?
Hyundai is recalling over 1700 examples of its recently introduced second-generation Kona as they pose a potential fire risk. The recall affects only vehicles with the turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Hyundai Kona years
We have researched Hyundai problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Hyundai Kona cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Hyundai Kona model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Hyundai Kona model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Hyundai Kona years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Hyundai Kona car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Hyundai Kona , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Engine problems
- Electrical system problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Power train problems
- Forward collision avoidance problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Hyundai Kona vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Kona model years
A total of 32 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Kona model years
There were a total of 18 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Kona model years
There were a total of 28 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with deaths by Kona model years
There were a total of 1 complaints that resulted in a death. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 516 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Hyundai Kona . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Hyundai Kona vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Hyundai Kona 2018
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-18
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-23
- VIN: KM8K53A55JU
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Vehicle was traveling down the highway with cruise control on and suddenly proceeded to not maintain speed and lost the ability to accelerate and shake in the middle of the interstate. Check engine light came on after this and we were able to limp it off the highway onto the ramp. No warning lights, no over heating, or any signs were given prior to this incident to give the impression this vehicle would stop operating. My family's safety was put at risk as it lost speed suddenly on the interstate in the middle of traffic and could have caused other cars to hit us as we slowed and tried to get over to access the ramp. Vehicle was towed and inspected at a local mechanic and was informed there was oil burned on the spark plugs and cylinder 1 and 3 had little to no compression.
Hyundai Kona 2018
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-10
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-22
- VIN: KM8K33A54JU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while her daughter was driving at undisclosed speeds, the engine warning light illuminated. There was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined there was knock in the cylinder. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the cam was overworked and both cams had overproduced. Additionally, there was a misfire in cylinders number 1, 2, and 4. There was a power imbalance test performed, which determined that cylinder #3 was the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,745.
Hyundai Kona 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-18
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-18
- VIN: KM8K1CAA2MU
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle downshifted unintendedly. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission piston ring had failed. The mechanic determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.
Hyundai Kona 2024
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-17
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-17
- VIN: KM8HECA38RU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 7 months old Kona with 700 miles on it. Woke up one morning with a "Totally" dead battery. The internet is full of incidents such as mine--new Konas with dead batteries. The dealer could not give me a service date until one month later. Car is still at the dealer...
Hyundai Kona 2023
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-22
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-16
- VIN: KM8K2CAB2PU
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: I received a notification by email from NHTSA about a recall for our 2023 Hyundai Kona N. It states that the recall has to do with Loss of Drive Power from Fuel Pump Failure. Your recall ID 24V528 sent July 22, I phoned the dealer, Mike Murphy in Peoria, Illinois and they could not find this recall. I have an appointment with them on Oct 24 to bring in my car for an oil change and to fix a recall on the trunk lock (I was not given any info on this recall until I contacted the dealership). Since I put in my VIN # above, It did not turn up anything either. What's going on and why are you sending Recalls that have nothing to do with my vehicle (?)
Hyundai Kona 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-08
- VIN: KM8K12AA5MU
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Stalled out
Hyundai Kona 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-19
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-06
- VIN: KM8K1CAA5MU
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: While driving on the interstate highway the engine stopped. The circumstances surrounding the failure matched those for Kona VINs that were recalled.
Hyundai Kona 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-20
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-23
- VIN: KM8K33A56LU
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: When stopped at a light, I hit the gas and the car just sputtered. The car jolted and did not move, finally, hit the gas again it was able to move. It has happen before. My roommate's Dad told me I need to keep track of problem and file a report. I was told the injectors needed to be cleaned. I put injector cleaner into it, It seem to help but it happened again. It seems the dealer just says something needs to be cleaned.
Hyundai Kona 2018
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-18
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-18
- VIN: KM8K62AA6JU
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: While trying to accelerate on a on ramp onto the interstate, I felt my engine begin to knock. I pulled over and was able to get the car to drive home. The next morning my car would not turn over. I had it towed to my mechanic. They said it was bone dry of oil, I have always had it regularly serviced. They diagnosed it with engine failure. I’m just above the 60000 mile warranty at 63000 and Hyundai refuses to honor the warranty or help with the engine failure.
Hyundai Kona 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-13
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-16
- Fire: 1
- VIN: KM8K33A57MU
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
- Summary: I had a 2021 Hyundai Kona limited. On Friday 09/13/2024 my engine caught fire and my car was a total loss. Minutes before the fire I noticed some smoke, all of my dash lights came on and the car shut down. Seconds after stopping the vehicle and getting out the whole engine went up in flames. There are recalls active for my make model and year, nothing for my specific vin number but will be reaching out to Hyundai corporate to see if they want to come look at the car, in case it needs to be added to the recall list.
Hyundai Kona 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2022-09-06
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-06
- VIN: KM8K22AA5KU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle then stalled. The contact pulled over and waited approximately 20 minutes before restarting the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had occurred at various speeds. The contact stated that the check engine warning light only recently illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had to be taken for an oil change monthly. The contact stated that there was no indication of an oil leak on the driveway. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
Hyundai Kona 2018
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-23
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-03
- VIN: KM8K3CA51JU
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: At approximately 10,000 miles the tread is separating from the tire
Hyundai Kona 2023
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-03
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-03
- VIN: KM8K62AB0PU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Horn does not work.
Hyundai Kona 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-01
- VIN: KM8K3CA54MU
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: Transmission has hard shift sometimes, and disengages in other times. It's very irratic.
Hyundai Kona 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-17
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-30
- VIN: KM8K1CAA6KU
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: My engine seems to have failed due to bad oil piston rings and Hyundai/ the dealership refused to look at it for that and denied my claim. Almost 3 weeks ago, my check engine light came on after (solid) after getting gas. It was running fine and I had an oil change appointment that Saturday so it should be good (I had a coupon expiring, so I was taking it in like 400 miles early for it's oil change). The car started losing a little bit power throughout the week- it didn't have the get up and go it usually does. On Saturday, first thing in the morning, on my way to my 8 am oil change, my car started a little rough (it had never done that before). I drive like 5 miles, then all of a sudden my car stutters, 2 blocks later dies, it restarted fine, but made a horrible noise. I drove it the block to the oil change place and my car was completely out of oil. No oil light ever came on and I have never been less than a quart (more than acceptable) at an oil change. There was no visible oil leak in my parking spot. It was towed to the dealership and the engine is blown. There has never been any visible oil leak and I have all records on carfax imputed by the mechanics.
Latest 5 recalls Hyundai Kona
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 8 recalls for different components of the Hyundai Kona.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Hyundai Kona 2024
- Report Received Date: 2024-05-01
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
- Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Elantra, Venue, and Kona vehicles. An electrical short circuit may occur in the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve assembly, which can result in a loss of drive power.
- Consequence: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 28, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 260.
- Model: Hyundai Kona 2024
- Report Received Date: 2023-12-26
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
- Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Kona vehicles. The 12-Volt battery cables may chafe against the engine control module bracket and short circuit during a crash.
- Consequence: A short circuit increases the risk of an engine compartment fire.
- Remedy: Dealers will install sheathing over the wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 252.
- Model: Hyundai Kona 2024
- Report Received Date: 2023-09-22
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
- Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Kona vehicles. The seat belt assemblies in the right and left rear seats may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupation Crash Protection" and 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
- Consequence: A seat belt that does not function properly may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 21, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 250.
- Model: Hyundai Kona 2023
- Report Received Date: 2023-07-27
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Park Out Side: 1
- Park Out Side: 1
- Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:PUMP
- Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat.
- Consequence: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
- Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting September 7, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 246.
- Model: Hyundai Kona 2019
- Report Received Date: 2021-04-28
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Latest negative Hyundai Kona car reviews
Latest positive Hyundai Kona car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2019
This peppy and efficient small SUV boasts a lot of safety features and new technology. While the interior is well-proportioned, the ride can be a bit noisy. It would be great if the interior cabin could be quieter.
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Vehicle year: 2018
I really like the car so far! It has plenty of cargo space for my needs, and the front seats are super comfy. The only issue I've had is with visibility at night. While the low beams are nice and bright, they're pointed too low. If you're following someone by more than 2 seconds, too close for high beams, there's a big black void between you and the car you're following. I'm going to see if they can be adjusted a bit higher. I live in a mountainous area, so the roads aren't level, and the headlights are pointed directly at the road, making it hard to see what's standing on the road, like moose and deer. Update - I've driven in the snow a lot since winter started here in mid-November this year, and it's been great! The car glides through 8-10 inches of snow like it's nothing. I thought I'd be stuck in my driveway in the super slushy, heavy, icky
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Vehicle year: 2021
We are thrilled with our 2021 Kona Limited purchase! The car is packed with advanced technology and is built to last. Plus, it's an absolute blast to drive!
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Vehicle year: 2018
I recently test drove the Honda HRV and while it had some good features, I found the control, noise and comfort to be lacking. However, my experience at Hyundai was much more positive. I was initially looking at the Tuscon, but found it to be too big for my needs. Thankfully, my dealer introduced me to the new Kona SUV, which not only looks sharp but also has all the bells and whistles I was looking for. I was particularly impressed with its pick up and control during the test drive. The only downside for me was that the seats could have been more cushioned, but they were still comfortable. Overall, I got a great deal on my new SUV and I would highly recommend it to anyone reading this review.
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Vehicle year: 2021
I just wanted to share our experience with the 2.0 engine in the Kona. We are very satisfied with our car overall - it drives nicely, has comfortable seating, feels solid, has very cold AC, and a great infotainment system that connects quickly and easily to our phone and Android Auto. Before purchasing, I was unsure whether we needed the turbo version or not. However, I can confidently say that we are not disappointed with the 2.0. Despite my concerns about it being underpowered, it has sufficiently delivered on what we use the car for. We have no issues merging into traffic or with safety concerns in our day-to-day use. While the turbo version would undoubtedly provide an added boost, we find the 2.0 to be perfectly fine. If you're on the fence about whether the turbo is a 'must-have' to be functionally satisfied with the Kona, I would say that the 2.0 is more than sufficient for our needs. Of course, if you want or need more than a standard, reasonably sufficient motor to get the job done, you may want to consider the turbo. But for us, the 2.0 is just right.
Are you having problems with your Hyundai Kona?
Donnell Abernathy 2025-07-07
Vehicle year: 2022
The 2022 Hyundai Kona N-Line AWD has a firm suspension that may not be suitable for everyone's preferences.
Francisco Pfannerstill 2025-07-02
Vehicle year: 2024
I have owned 4 Konos and have been very loyal to the brand. However, this particular car has been a nightmare due to multiple recalls and parts being on back order. The sunroof assembly motor has already failed and needs to be replaced. Additionally, all injectors failed and had to be reset. Despite only having 4100 miles, I have had to keep going to the shop. At this point, we are considering trading the car and avoiding Hyundai in the future. The poor customer service from Hyundai has only added to our frustration.
Otho Buckridge 2025-07-02
Vehicle year: 2022
After only three payments, my car is in the shop requiring a transmission repair and has stalled while driving. The check engine light has also come on. It is worth noting that the rental car representative mentioned that there are frequent visits from customers of the Hyundai dealership across the street with similar engine and transmission issues. It is clear that there are some serious problems with these vehicles.
Keith Bahringer 2025-06-15
Vehicle year: 2021
This car is definitely affordable, but it may not be the best option for everyone. The materials used in the car are not of the highest quality and the storage space is quite limited. Additionally, the car's power may not be sufficient for some drivers. The accident avoidance AI could use some improvement as it tends to slam on the brakes randomly when someone changes lanes in front. However, the AWD system is decent. Overall, this car may not be the best fit for everyone, but it could be a good option for those on a tight budget.
Cole Williamson 2025-05-17
Vehicle year: 2022
During COVID, when selection was limited and dealerships were asking for markups over MSRP, I purchased this car. I was looking for a hybrid, but unfortunately, there were none to be found. However, I was pleased to find the Kona at MSRP and thought I was getting a good deal. Although, I must admit, I don't love the car as much as I thought I would. Here's why: The car gets significantly worse gas mileage than my previous Elantra, which is a major issue for me. The camera behind the rearview mirror takes up too much space on the windshield and can be distracting, which is a minor issue. The radio UI is okay, but I think the problems are more with Android Auto than with the Kona. The trunk is quite small, which is a major issue for me as I miss the spacious trunk of my previous sedan. Additionally, the car doesn't make a loud beep on the second lock from the fob, which is a major issue for me as it's how I find my car in crowded parking lots. The horn is also quite weak, which is a minor issue, but it's something to note. Lastly, the headlights are not great, and I struggle to see at night. Overall, while the Kona has its drawbacks, it's still a decent car.