Hyundai Kona Complaints

964 consumer complaints on file.

#11773427October 24, 2026
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have a 2019 Kona that has an issue with excessive oil consumption. I know that Hyundai issued a recall for this problem in 2019 Konas, but they claim my car isn’t included in that recall, and they refuse to help me. It feels like a scam on Hyundai’s part. my plate is: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773131October 23, 2026
ENGINE
My vehicle was brought into Kerry Hyundai of Alexandria in December 2025 and is still there. It was brought in for warranty work. The original complaint was oil consumption. It is supposedly getting a replacement engine but it has been 10 months of them giving me the run around. I feel this timeline is unreasonable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773096October 22, 2026
ENGINE
My 2020 Kona 2.OL failed an oil test losing 2.5 quarts in 960 miles, stalled on the highway, and blows oil out the tailpipe. Hyundai (Case #43141313) is denying repair coverage because my VIN was excluded from Recall 21V301000. This recall needs to be expanded to include my VIN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772551October 20, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
My 2019 Hyundai Kona (VIN: [XXX]) experiences violent shaking and complete engine stalling in active traffic when braking, creating an immediate safety hazard on public roads. This directly mirrors the failure mechanics of Safety Recall 203 ([XXX]). Upon inspection, physical evidence of massive silver aluminum metal flakes was discovered clogging the VVT solenoid mesh screens, originating from internal cylinder/piston ring degradation. However, the dealership Universal Hyundai in [XXX] (RO# XXX) issued a fraudulent diagnostic report stating 'no metal found' to evade recall liability. Hyundai Motor America subsequently closed corporate case XXXwithout an internal engine or borescope inspection. I have retrieved the vehicle under financial protest and possess full photographic evidence of the aluminum contamination. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772555October 20, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
I purchased a new 2024 Hyundai Kona in September 2023 and followed its scheduled maintenance program. By August 12, 2026, I had noticed mild, intermittent excessive brake-pedal travel, especially at low speeds. I reported it to the dealer that day; September 14 was their earliest available appointment. By September 14, the pedal drop was more pronounced and frequent at low speeds. The dealer inspected the brakes and reported no abnormality. A technician verbally acknowledged some downward pedal movement but reportedly considered it acceptable. No cause was identified or repair made. By September 16, the problem had become persistent and severe: approximately the first 90% of pedal travel produced little or no effective braking, with limited braking only near the floor. Stopping even at very low speeds became difficult. Sounds and pedal feedback suggested frequent ABS activation, although this was not diagnostically confirmed. I stopped driving on September 16; the vehicle has remained parked and is available for inspection. I first reported this severe condition to Hyundai Motor America on September 16 because I had lost confidence in the original dealer's handling of the problem. More than a month later, Hyundai has offered no clear corrective plan, instead referring me back to the dealer for another inspection. I am willing to have the vehicle inspected by another authorized dealer, or even the original dealer if Hyundai directly coordinates a defined diagnostic and repair plan, rather than leaving me to negotiate it myself. This serious braking problem arose in a roughly three-year-old, regularly maintained vehicle, was reported before its third anniversary, and remains undiagnosed and unrepaired despite dealer and manufacturer notification. I request NHTSA review this potential brake-system safety defect and the associated collision risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771602October 16, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
We took this car in to the dealer to implement the "BMS Battery Logic Improve (26-01-065H)" update on 9/17/26. We have had two issues that appear to be software related and might be caused by improper voltage from the 12 volt battery. The issues are: - Warning messages appeared "Check forward safety system" and "Smart cruise control conditions not met”. The Smart cruise control stopped working. This is still happening. Started on October 10. - The Charging Port door release required 3 or more clicks of the "unlock" function to open. We resolved this by changing the unlock setting in the settings software, making us think this is a software issue from the update. Started on September 18. Safety is decreased by not having Smart Cruise and Forward Safety Systems available. We will go to the dealer today. We have reported this to Hyundai, case #43378707. No one else has inspected the car. The warning lights appeared on October 10th.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771642October 16, 2026
ENGINE
While driving my 2019 Hyundai Kona with the 2.0L engine, the engine suddenly began making a loud knocking sound. Immediately after exiting the highway onto a main street, the vehicle stalled in active traffic, causing a sudden loss of motive power and creating a significant safety hazard. The first Hyundai dealership documented an engine knock and reported diagnostic trouble codes P0011, P0014, P0017, and P0366, involving camshaft timing and correlation. I was subsequently informed that the engine had suffered a catastrophic internal failure. A second Hyundai dealership later diagnosed a connecting-rod bearing failure affecting Cylinder 2. My vehicle is covered by Hyundai Recall 203, which concerns defective piston oil rings that can lead to abnormal oil consumption, engine damage, and potentially engine stalling. The vehicle previously passed Hyundai’s recall inspection/software procedure, but the engine has now experienced a catastrophic mechanical failure involving knocking and sudden stalling while driving. Hyundai has declined to replace the engine under the recall and has attributed the failure to an out-of-warranty maintenance/oil-related issue. I am also concerned about the reliability of the diagnostic process: the first dealership initially told me that a compression test had been performed and supported its conclusion about the engine failure, but later confirmed that no compression test had actually been performed. I am concerned that the prior recall remedy or inspection did not adequately identify or prevent the defect, and that an affected vehicle was allowed to remain in service until it suffered sudden engine failure and loss of motive power in traffic. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this failure is related to Recall 203 and whether the recall remedy adequately protects owners whose vehicles initially passed the inspection but later experience engine damage, knocking, or stalling.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771304October 15, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric. The contact stated that since purchasing the vehicle, an abnormal rumble sound was heard that grew progressively louder. Additionally, while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle was significantly sluggish. The failure recurred while driving at 30 MPH, requiring the driver to pull over to the shoulder of the road. Upon shutting off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal operation. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure during a test drive. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, who confirmed the failure; however, the contact was informed that the failure was not associated with TSB Number: 22-EV-001H (KONA EV MOTOR RUMBLE NOISE) because the rumble sound was not sufficiently loud. The contact stated that the sound had grown significantly louder. The vehicle was scheduled to be towed to the dealer. The failure mileage exceeded 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770754October 13, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
My 2021 Kona has undergone five separate oil consumption checks. The engine is depleting oil at an abnormal rate, creating a clear risk of sudden catastrophic engine failure and highway stalling. Dealership service personnel have repeatedly dismissed consumption data despite documented top-offs between 500 and 1,000 miles. Furthermore, this vehicle has already required an entire brake system replacement due to unidentifiable system failures, establishing a continuous history of substantial defects impairing its safety, market value, and use.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770764October 13, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle hesitated, and there was white smoke coming from the exhaust. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the contact was advised to take the vehicle to a dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,976.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770772October 13, 2026
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SUSPENSION
Large amounts of oil slipped past the damaged rings into the engine. Oil could not stay no matter how many oil changes and proper maintenance. Hard metal shards got loose into the engine causing the engine to blow. Many codes came up in the diagnoses done by a Hyundai dealership. This has been reported to be a common complaint and problem with this make and model/year of the car. It should not be my responsibility to fix. Its 100% a manufacturer error. Please assist me!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770622October 12, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The vehicle is a 2022 Hyundai Kona N Line, VIN [XXX]. The driver-assistance/safety systems have intermittently malfunctioned. The reported problems include false forward-collision warnings, unintended automatic emergency braking when there is no apparent obstacle or collision threat, false blind-spot/side warnings, and unwanted steering intervention from the lane-assist system. The exact failed component is UNKNOWN. Possible involved systems include the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system, Lane Keeping/Lane Following Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning/Collision-Avoidance Assist, related cameras/radar sensors, control modules, wiring, or software. The vehicle remains available for inspection upon request. These malfunctions create a serious crash risk because the vehicle may unexpectedly brake or steer while traveling at highway speed. Three different drivers in my household have independently experienced abnormal behavior from these systems. My greatest concern is that sudden braking or steering intervention could cause the vehicle to be struck from behind, leave its lane, enter another lane, or collide with another vehicle or fixed object. The vehicle was taken to AutoFair Hyundai for inspection and diagnosis. The dealership stated that it could not reproduce the condition during its evaluation and did not find a stored diagnostic trouble code. The dealership therefore did not identify a specific cause or perform a repair directed at the reported forward-collision, blind-spot, braking, or steering malfunction. A rocker cover assembly was replaced under warranty for a separate issue. The dealership has stated that it is checking whether the affected driver-assistance systems can be permanently disabled. Hyundai Motor America has also been notified through a national customer-care case. Hyundai is aware that the complaint remains unresolved. There are not always warning lamps or stored fault codes associated with the events. The symptoms are INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769128October 5, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
I have a 2026 Hyundai Kona that I’ve only had for 3 months and it has 7192 miles on it. Today I turned my vehicle on and the screen that displays my mileage, speedometer, gas level, coolant temp gauge, tire pressure monitor, and other safety features was blacked out with the words “NO SIGNAL” in red. I turned my car on and off a couple times and it still said the same thing. Eventually the dash came back on but now it’s randomly shows the dash display and then goes to a completely black screen. I contacted the dealership and have an upcoming appt however I will not be driving the car because I’m not able to gauge what speed I’m going, if I’m running out of gas, or if my car overheats. There were no previous warning signs; no warning light on the dashboard. The Hyundai app states all systems in my car are working fine. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police insurance rep, or anybody else yet.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769182October 5, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
All 4 fuel injectors failed. They were replaced but the check engine light came back on. Crank shaft sensor was then replaced and now the check engine light is back on. Driving the car waiting for something to fail is not safe
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768686October 3, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The horn on my 2023 Hyundai Kona has failed for the THIRD time. This is a dangerous situation. The time before this I barely avoided an accident when a pickup truck was accelerating very fast in reverse from a driveway and didn't see me. Luckily no one was in the oncoming traffic lane and I was able to accelerate into that lane and avoid an accident. But I could not warn him, my horn wasn't working. I can't warn anyone that they're about to drive into my space/lane. IT ISN'T SAFE. Hyundai needs to permanently fix the horns. I have to test mine everyday when I start my vehicle. I shouldn't have to do that!! Do you do that?? Do most people have to do that?? DO SOMETHING TO HELP ME!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768574October 2, 2026
ENGINE
My exact engine was as in a recall but not my car which failed prematurely at 84,000. I have taken extensive maintenance in the car in the for the past 2 years. Hyundai made me pay to tow my car to a dealership denied me for a goodwill replacement with the same exact problems as the same exact recalled engine and stuck me with the bill.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768313October 1, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN
I purchased this 2022 Hyundai Kona used in May 2025 with approximately 55,000 miles. Within about one to two months of purchase, in June 2025, the transmission began to malfunction. When I pressed the accelerator, the speedometer and engine speed would climb but the vehicle would not accelerate, resulting in a sudden loss of acceleration while driving. This happened in traffic on a public road, which put me at serious risk of being rear-ended and left me unable to safely merge, cross intersections, or maintain speed. The vehicle was taken to a Hyundai dealership service center, which diagnosed a transmission failure and performed a transmission repair in August 2025. In October 2026, about 14 months after that repair and about 17 months after I purchased the vehicle, the exact same symptom returned. When accelerating, the speedometer surges while the vehicle fails to accelerate and loses drive. This has again occurred on public roads. The vehicle now has approximately 78,000 miles. This is a serious safety concern, not only for me but for everyone driving around me. The loss of acceleration is sudden and unpredictable, and it occurs while the vehicle is in motion, including in traffic. It puts the driver and surrounding vehicles at risk of a collision. I have stopped driving the vehicle until it is repaired. Warning signs: No warning lights or messages appeared before the failure. The first symptom was the speedometer surging with no corresponding acceleration. Confirmation and inspection: The first failure was diagnosed and repaired by a Hyundai dealership service center in August 2025. The current failure will be taken to the same service center for diagnosis. The vehicle and transmission are available for inspection. I am reporting this because the same symptom has led to transmission failure twice in only about 17 months of ownership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768181September 30, 2026
ENGINE
On September 11, 2026, while driving my 2019 Hyundai Kona Limited 1.6L Turbo on the highway, the vehicle suffered a sudden and dangerous loss of propulsion. The engine began vibrating violently, lost power significantly, and a strong chemical burning smell entered the cabin. I was forced to pull over immediately in traffic to avoid a catastrophic fire or highway collision. The vehicle had to be towed to McGrath Hyundai. The official dealership inspection (RO# 949326) confirmed severe internal manufacturing defects: cylinder wall scoring on cylinders 2, 3, and 4 due to premature piston ring wear, which caused massive oil fouling on the spark plugs and total ignition failure. This defect creates an immediate highway safety hazard and risk of engine fire due to oil entering the combustion chamber. Hyundai Motor America refuses to issue a safety recall for this 1.6L Gamma engine defect, leaving consumers driving unsafe vehicles with active loans.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768190September 30, 2026
ENGINE
My 2021 Kona Limited 1.6L Turbo is consuming oil so rapidly that the Low Oil Pressure light has activated on the highway, creating a sudden risk of stalling and engine failure, that the dealership and Hyundai are declining service. According to research, when your oil pressure light flashes, your engine is moments away from locking up. If that happens at 65 mph on a highway, it is a catastrophic safety risk. I am the original owner of 2021 Kona Limited under warranty. The dealership refused to help me after my car lost oil, citing one missed service from over three years ago. That gap was due to a severe family medical emergency where my partner was hospitalized off and on for over three months. My vehicle has a proven history of dealer maintenance before and after that event. This is the 4th time the car has totally lost oil, with no indications that is was even close or anything wrong until it was empty the warning came and check to find zero oil. The first time it happened on 2/4/2026 the dealership did not make a record and had me come back in 1000 miles to have it checked and they said it was fine. The next 2 times were recorded with Hyundai dealership and I was told that due to "Gross Maintenance Neglect" Hyundai declined any additional services. They put the car back together just replacing the fuel line/hose. On 9/23/2023 the check oil light blinked for 1-3 seconds. I was 3 minutes from home parked, allowed the car to cool and checked oil, again there was none. Put 4 1/2 quarts and that is what it holds and the next morning went to the dealership, where I was turned away, with them saying Hyundai declined any additional services for this issue and there was nothing they could do. I was told to contact corporate, I did that minute from the parking lot. Given a case number and told I would be contacted, went over all of the issues again with corporate and today was told they are still declining any service even though it is still under warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767691September 29, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Today, my Kona tried to kill me. I was traveling on a freeway in a construction zone. Road conditions were clear: no fog, precipitation, potholes or obstructions. Traffic slowed down to 30 mph as the rightmost lane becomes an exit only lane (and people exchanged between the middle and right lane). Traffic continued to flow freely around 50 mph in the left lane. I was in the middle lane, and after passing the off ramp my lane was clear for at least an eighth of a mile ahead (all visible traffic in front of me had taken the exit). I began to accelerate back up to freeway speeds when the "Automatic Emergency Braking" engaged for no reason. There was a curved driving path on the display (which read "Automatic Emergency Braking"), and it seemed like the car was trying to force me into the left lane (underneath a semi truck). I could feel the same motored pull that the Kona has while using the "lane keeping assistance" feature. But unlike the lane assist which takes 20 pounds to manually override, this took approximately 80 pounds of force to fight. Even fighting the turn, I was multiple feet into the left lane. The only reason I was not crushed by the wheels of the semi trailer is because the driver was hugging the left side of their lane. I was nearly rear-ended and the 4 cars behind me nearly had a pile-up because of this as well. My best guess is that it detected the cement barrier along the side of the curved road and incorrectly determined that I was on a collision path with it. Since it was a construction zone, the cement barrier was approximately 3 feet outside of the lane. In reality, this feature is not production ready and needs to be fixed/removed from the fleet.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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