Hyundai Kona Complaints
360 consumer complaints on file.
- #11460978April 16, 2022ENGINE
Engine began knocking/shaking suddenly while highway driving, service engine light came on. Pulled over, turned off ignition. Tried restarting and would not start. Towed to dealership and diagnosed as engine failure, possible timing chain failure. Complete engine replacement recommended by dealer service dept. Dealer service dept. will replace engine free of charge as vehicle is well under warranty from Hyundai. The vehicle had less than 4000 miles on it. Safety of myself and others was put at risk due to failure happening while highway driving, fortunately I was able to pull over on shoulder before the engine completely seized.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11453576February 23, 2022EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The low bean headlights are where the Brights should shine. The brights shine in the tree tops. Every time I go out at night I get flashed by almost all passing cars when the low beams are on. The dealership told us there is no way to adjust the lights. How am I supposed to drive this at night?
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11453449February 22, 2022ENGINE
The engine failed at 12,034 miles. I was at the stop light right before the bay bridge and my life and others were severely put at risk. Had I been on the bridge when the engine seized it would have meant imminent death. The Hyundai dealership said they expected it because engines on the 2021 Hyundai Kona have been recalled. This vehicle was supposed to be fitted with a safety light warning the driver of an imminent fire or engine failure after 2019 but that didn’t happen.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11453303February 21, 2022UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:COIL
Randomly the check engine light turns on and the car begins to violently shake. This is the second day this already happened and only happened while on the highway. The car is only 3 weeks old with just over 1000 miles on it. After pulling over on the side of the road and turning the car off and on, the problem disappeared and the check engine light turns off. The vehicle does not acknowledge that there was an issue. After doing some research, it seems to be consistent with a common issue with Hyundai vehicles having defective ignition coils. Common issue in multiple Konas, Elantras and other Hyundai vehicle The danger of the control of the car on the highway when this issue occurs at random is sufficient enough to ensure that all these vehicles are recalled to get the problem fixed.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11451190February 9, 2022ENGINE
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH for an extended period of more than 30 minutes, the engine would remain running 8-10 minutes after the vehicle had been turned off. On another occasion while driving approximately 35 MPH and entering a highway ramp, the vehicle lost motive power and power steering functionality before independently restarting and operating as designed. The contact stated that the vehicle also stalled while reversing and would restart after shifting into Park. The contact stated that three or four attempts were necessary to restart the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11451095February 9, 2022ENGINE
While driving on cruise control set for 45mph the vehicle accelerated to 53 mph. Noticed this multiple times. Also steering wheel making noise and at times hard to turn. All fluids at good level. Then burning smell coming and vehicle revs up when at stop light. And then hard to start. Have had multiple issues with this vehicle. Dealer states all is good. Hyundai is no help. This is a 2021, a new vehicle that should not be acting like this.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11449465January 30, 2022VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The cruise control does not engage. When setting the adaptive cruise control I have had the car slow down 15-20 mph before turning the cruise control off because traffic is backing up behind me and I become a hazard on the road. I have taken it to 2 different dealerships, the one I purchased the car from and one that is closer to my home as I moved and now live in a different state from where I purchased the car. Both dealerships claimed they were not able to replicate the issue. However, every time I drive the car and try to use cruise control I have the same issue of the cruise control not engaging. The car dashboard's speed indicator is supposed to turn green and make a "ding" sound when you engage the cruise control at the posted speed limit. My car does not do this. The speed limit on the freeway here is 80mph and it will turn green and "ding" at 81mph but still not actually engage and maintain the speed. I have had numerous incidents where cars behind me honk and have to go around because I was slowing down so much. I spoke with another 2022 Kona owner and they stated that they have had the same problem and they were told the same thing by a different dealership that they bought their vehicle from.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11447107January 11, 2022ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I went to use the horn at a car that blew through a stop sign and there was no horn sound. This was my first time using the horn since I bought it brand new. No warning lights no nothing.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11445933January 3, 2022ENGINE
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled and lost electrical power. The battery warning light, engine warning light, and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The contact waited an hour and was able to restart the vehicle and drive; however, the vehicle was shaking while driving. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer advised the contact that the vehicle would be repaired at her own expense. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 21,605.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11445833January 2, 2022ENGINE
We have a 2021 Hyundai which is the subject of an engine recall. There have been no repairs to the car and we just turned 5000 miles. When the car is cold and first started the engine knocks and it has gone through 2 quarts of oil so far. The dealership says nothing is wrong with it. I have video of it being started and knocking. We are afraid to park it in our garage due to fire risk and due to the greatly reduced price of repairs the dealer can charge Hyundai, are getting nothing done. The number 1 driver of this car is 88 years old and does not need this stress. Help, please?
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11444554December 21, 2021ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My vehicle keeps shutting off with no warning and has almost killed me on multiple occasions The dealership keeps placating me about getting it fixed, saying that a repair is months out Meanwhile, I am driving a very dangerous vehicle that shuts off and shakes like it’s going to explode
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11443164December 8, 2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, he noticed while starting the vehicle and switching the headlights from automatic to manual, that the headlights failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that when the headlight switch was placed in the OFF position, the headlights would activate. The contact stated that the switch was working in reverse order. Additionally, the headlights operated properly while using the auto-headlights feature activated. The contact stated that while shifting from Reverse to Drive, the sensor failed to recognize that the vehicle was in Drive. The Reverse audible beep would activate for several seconds. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact called the local dealer but was not able to schedule an immediate appointment for the vehicle to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11443128December 8, 2021VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact’s father owned a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while her father was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was stuck and the seat belt did not lock the contact’s father into his seat during impact. The vehicle crashed into a traffic light pole, went uphill, and then flipped before stopping. The air bags deployed, but the steering wheel air bag caught fire. The contact’s father was able to exit the vehicle. The contact’s father suffered fractured back, chest, ribs, and lumbar spine injuries, as well as head injuries with a brain bleed. The contact’s father was transported to the hospital by ambulance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a police tow yard and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11442754December 5, 2021ENGINE
12-3-21, with only 103 miles on my new car, the check engine light came on. I drove back to the dealer where I purchased the car - Fitzgerald, and spoke to Maurice the manager, and Garret in the service department. Garret informed me he "wiggled the wires" and the check engine light went off. On 12-5-21, with 129 miles on the car the check engine light came on again. I went back to Fitzgerald and spoke to Frank, who works in sales. Frank told me the service department was closed on Sunday and I have to comeback Monday 12-6-21.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11441917November 29, 2021POWER TRAIN
While on the highway the transmission completely stopped shifting and stayed in first gear and would only rev up the engine when the accelerator was applied.I had to coast slowly off the freeway to an exit to safely park. I turned the vehicle off and restarted after a few minutes and it drove regularly. Apparently there are other customers that have experienced this issue and this raises a lot of concern on the safety of operating this vehicle.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11441411November 23, 2021UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased in July 2021 todays date is Nov 22nd it has been 5 months and for the second time I get to my parked car and the power locks don’t work with the key fob and the engine simply will not start. The first time I had the tow truck guy jump start the engine and it worked up until today, I took it in for a diagnostic and they said the battery was healthy everything checked out. Today again Nov 22 I get to my car again won’t unlock and engine simply will not turn on with key entry model SE. This time I had them tow to the dealership for more evaluation. This is a road hazard what happens if the engine decides to stop working while driving the vehicle? Both times I double checked and I did not leave any lights on everything was shut off only thing blinking was the security alarm system. I believe it is a manufacturer defect in the engine since the battery tests out fine.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11435237October 2, 2021FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
We bought the car in July and owned it 70 days and 1,530 miles. The Automatic Emergency Breaking engaged several times without any reason. Sometimes at lower speeds <40 and sometimes on the freeway >60. The last time was at 20 mph in a school zone and we were rear ended because of the unexpected stop. We had several near misses on the freeway, but the cars behind us managed to avoid us. The car has severe damage to the bumper, tailgate and Blind Spot warning, parking collision warning and rear cross traffic warning because of the accident and the car has been in the body shop awaiting parts/repair for the nearly entire month of September. No one was hurt and we didn't have the car long enough to take it back to the dealer to have the brake system checked. The accident would not have happened if the Automatic Emergency Braking had worked properly.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11435048September 30, 2021ENGINE
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently shut off due to the idle STOP/START feature. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 5.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11434388September 26, 2021UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Having acceleration problems. 1. While driving in normal mode, when accelerating from 55 to pass cars on the highway, the tach moves to higher levels but the car doesn't accelerate. I need to take my foot off the Gas Pedal and wait then try to accelerate again. 2. When a stop light, at a full stop (or stop sign) - the car bucks before accelerating. 3. when I start my car from a cold start and in idle mode - still in park - the tach hops for 30 seconds before settling. All these issues do not happen all the time. Hard to replicate.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11432560September 11, 2021UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I'm trying to find out when my 2021 KONA SEl PLUS was built and where ? When did the maker of the oil rings notify Hyundai of the defect to the rings why was Hyundai able to sell of these Kona's with the 2.0 engines from dealers lots after they knew there was a problem with the engines. My Kona was sold to me on 25 Feb. 2021 they had to know of the problem by than. I was so angry and upset with my dealer when I check with them about the recall and THEY TOLD ME to DRIVE IT TILL IT BLEW UP OR CATCHES FIRE and have it Towed IN. I sold it back to them and loss 3,000 dollars rather than drive it another mile. Please email me @ [XXX] I'm a 75 year old US navy Combat veteran thats hard of hearing with PTSD under Doctors care because of the problems with my dealer and the KONA with the bad engine PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0