Hyundai Kona Complaints (2020)

189 consumer complaints on file.

#11585896April 29, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I am concerned about the safety of my car and have little faith that there are qualified mechanics who understand EVs and can properly service an EV car. Two times on April 9, 2024 (and on at least 4 other occasions in 2023) while drive at approximately 45 miles an hour on a RI State highway at a safe distance from any care in front of me, my vehicle went into the fail-safe mode while I was driving causing a sudden significant loss of power to the car and it appeared to be that it was going to stall. There was no warning sound indicating that I was going to crash into the forward vehicle (again, I was at a safe distance). In order to continue driving, I had to pull onto the road shoulder, shut off the car, which seemed to reset it. On this particular day/occasion, this situation occurred twice in the span of about 10 minutes. Had there been anyone driving right behind me, they would have hit my car. In addition, I brought my car to the dealer to address but the dealership did not know how to fix/address my problem. They did find "multiple codes" in the car history, deleted the codes, and test drove the car. They said if it happened again, to let them know. They also told me if it occurred again, then I should bring it in when the 1 and only technician, who knows anything about the EV cars, was working. I took a photo of the dashboard immediately after one of the episodes while the car was still running before I shut if off. I will attach it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11582248April 10, 2024
ENGINE
The vehicle shut down while I was driving approximately 40 mph on a major throughway out of town. I was unfamiliar with the area and had to quickly pull over into a resident's driveway. I immediately shut the vehicle down and tried to restart it. It would not turn over, so I waited a few minutes and tried again. The engine then made a noise that almost sounded like "I quit" and would not make any noise when I turned the key after that. I called a local tow company who towed it to Firestone Complete Auto Care which was the nearest open garage. After they ran their diagnostic, they said that the engine had seized and that there was no oil in the reserve. I never had any engine lights light up on the dashboard until the second the car stopped working, when they ALL came on. My mechanic friend says that these engines have computers that time stamp when the warning lights come on, so it will be interesting to know if they use that information. I have contacted Hyundai customer service and because we are not the original owners of the vehicle, they said the powertrain/engine is not covered under the 5 year/60k mile warranty from Hyundai. We do have an extended warranty through a 3rd party company, but they are giving us a difficult time too. We are still waiting to hear if they will cover the replacement of the engine. This is a HUGE safety risk because my vehicle gave no advanced warning that it was needing service/maintenance and just stopped functioning while I was driving. If I had been on a different street or in the middle of a turn, it could have resulted in injury/death of occupants of the vehicle. My oldest son is also just starting to drive. If he were driving this vehicle when this occurred, he may not have known what to do and could have been stranded in the middle of a busy highway, where an accident could have been imminent.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11580665April 2, 2024
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
We just had our 2020 Kona updated from the dealer with major software and recall updates. Since that point the car has been draining from the 12volt battery on it's own and killing the charging circuit for the battery. It has caused us to have to jump start the car and not be able to keep the 12 volt charged which runs all of the environmentals and car systems. Unless you have a jump pack with you, you have to jump it after every stop. I have tested the battery and it is fine but the system needs a high end initial draw and is not getting it. I have contacted the dealer but they are saying it is not their problem. This needs government address, as it is the same issue in the NHTSA recalls or Hybrid and EV Sonata and Ioniq 5 models.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11577828March 17, 2024
POWER TRAIN
The issue is when I'm decelerating to around 5 mph and go to accelerate again, there is a horrible grinding sound from the transmission and I can no longer accelerate. I then have to stop and re accelerate. This is dangerous if there is a car coming and I pull out and have to stop all of a sudden. I have 2 separate videos of the issue. The dealership won't fix it under warranty because they can't replicate it. The dealership won't even take a look at anything.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11574843March 1, 2024
SEATS
The Hyundai Kona was struck head-on by another vehicle. There was one driver and one minor passenger in the right rear seat in the Hyundai Kona. The driver had minor injuries while, unfortunately, the accident was fatal to the passenger. The impact of the collision caused the right rear seat to snap forward, fracturing the passenger's neck. The cause of death for the passenger was blunt force trauma caused by the neck fracture. If the seat had stayed in place during the impact, the passenger's neck would not have been fractured. The vehicle is no longer available for inspection. To our knowledge, the problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle was inspected after the accident by the police. There was no symptom of the problem prior to the accident.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
1
#11574761February 29, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
This has happened about 15 times since I bought my Hyundai Kona EV Ultimate new in February 2021: When a car in front of me slows very quickly, occasionally my car tries to help me too much. I have been in complete control of the situations, but my car beeps it's warning, adds it's efforts and the brakes lock up with tires squealing, and we stop with plenty of space in between myself and the car in front of me. This usually happens in freeway traffic. It is terrifying and I always immediately look in my rearview mirror to see if I'm going to get rear-ended. I haven't been hit yet, though I have been flipped off a few times. One of these days, people will be hurt, along with the damages to the cars. The first time it happened was only about 2 weeks after the purchase. I had my 5-year old twin granddaughters in their car seats. Just as described above, the brakes locked up and it really scared them (me too!). I took it back to the salesman I bought it from at Stevens Creek Hyundai and he said it was just a setting with the response time, so he changed it. But it kept happening intermittently. I brought into the Future Hyundai of Concord dealer and they test drove it, could not replicate it, and after checking with their computers, said that the "system is working as designed". Frustrated that I wasn't being heard, I contacted Hyundai Consumer Affairs. They supported me and I got a case number and another appointment at a different dealer, Dublin Hyundai. This time, I went on the test drive and the technician was able to replicate the situation. At first he said it was a setting, but I said that I didn't care what the setting was, this should never happen. It is very dangerous. He agreed and said he would need to contact "Techline" the next day. But when I tried to find out any information about this conversation, I got only silence. Then I got a message that I could come pick up my car and that "the system is working as designed". Help!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11572540February 17, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Loss of power to speed unable to acceleration had to pull over
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11568299January 28, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Muffler pipe fell off while car was sitting in my driveway
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11565034January 12, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove to her destination and while shifting the vehicle into park (P), the vehicle was shaking violently. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who determined that the engine was losing compression and referred the contact to a dealer. The contact drove the vehicle for several weeks more due to scheduling at the dealer. The contact observed that the vehicle was consuming oil at an excessive rate. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was constantly illuminated, and the vehicle was intermittently stalling. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer who determined that the cam shaft and timing belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact retrieved the vehicle and the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was stalling, and the check engine warning light was constantly illuminated. The contact returned the vehicle to the same dealer who diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the piston oil rings in engine cylinder #3 were cracked and damaged the cylinder and the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was notified by the independent mechanic of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The contact contacted the manufacturer and was informed that the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11559897December 13, 2023
POWER TRAIN
Letter below was sent to Hyundai corporate 7 Feb 22. They replied I should work with my Dealership to resolve the issue. Dealership cannot duplicate the fault. Vehicle has 7 speed DCT and currently has about 40k miles. "SUBJECT: 2020 Hyundai Kona DCT disengages and/or makes loud banging noise upon normal acceleration from standing stop. Occurrence is random but more prevalent in warm weather. ISSUE: While our Kona has been a mostly faithful servant over the last 17 months, including a trip from Florida to Oregon and back, it still, at random times, will violently disengage the 1st gear clutch, sometimes with a very loud 'bang.' Local Dealership mechanics cannot duplicate the fault, so what can be done? OPINION: For my wife in particular, this is a Safety Issue. When you step on the gas and the car begins moving forward but then BANG! and it coasts, bad things can happen. Like when you are trying to move out into fast moving traffic? The last time our Kona did this to me a couple weeks ago, the ‘BANG’ shook the car as violently as a collision, and I reflexively looked in the rearview mirror expecting to see an oil slick behind me. But nothing further happened and the car drove normally afterwards. Very disconcerting. NOTES: Don't get me wrong here. We like Hyundai vehicles and have owned two Sonatas, one Elantra, one Sante Fe and now, a Kona over the last 10 years. I love the' zip' from the Kona turbocharged 1.6ltr ‘mouse motor,’ the mileage is very good, and fit and finish are excellent. This is our vehicle of choice for all local trips and some longer ones." Help! Are there other owners in the same boat as I am? Is a recall pending?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11556710November 24, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
In May 2023 after washing and vacuuming my car, it would not start. The battery appeared dead. I waited and tried periodically, and after about three tries, It started. This happened a couple more times, but always restarted and appeared to recharge. I did not drive the car from June - October, and asked my son to start it periodically while I was away. He tried in Mid June and battery was dead and had to be jumped. The same thing happened in Aug and Sept. Unfortunately, by the time I returned and could get in into Hyundai, it had been 38 months since my purchase. in October the battery seemed to be okay, but the horn did not work. Also, the windshield washer only trickled out and then nothing came out. I made appointment as I had also had a recall on the safety/theft issues. In November, Hyundai of Bradenton, Florida's Serviceman, Mark told me that I needed a new battery which was no longer under warranty and they replaced the horn as it was covered. He said the windshield washer unit was clogged. I chose not to pay $340 for a battery and $80 to unclog windshield washer unit from them. I just feel something is off. On my drive home, the radio came on without prompt. I turned it off, and it came back on seconds later. I turned it off again, and it stayed off. My car is immaculate, and covered when not in use. There is definitely and issue. My Kona only has 21,000 miles on it. Thank you for helping me with this. Please advise. [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
#11554623November 11, 2023
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle hesitates and does not accelerate from a complete stop, then jerks and changes into 2nd gear. Same hesitation and lack of power to accelerate occurs at 3rd gear. Causes a near accident when the car would not accelerate as I pulled into normal traffic
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11551145October 21, 2023
POWER TRAIN
Transmission stutters and slips between 1-2k rpms, especially at low speeds and in stop and go traffic. I took my vehicle to the dealer. At less than 20,000 miles they said transmission wear is at 85%. Unacceptable performance and concerning that this will continue to degrade.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547072September 28, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "Service Oil Change" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who discovered metal shavings in the engine oil. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 72,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11543580September 9, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
I was driving at about 45mph and my vehicle brakes suddenly stopped responding. The car alarms went crazy and said "regenerative brake failure" which is fine and all, but why the hell would the regent failing impact my ability to stop entirely? I could not get the vehicle to respond by pumping the brakes, so I put my flashers on and rolled into a lot and thankfully didn't kill anyone. Rolled into an uphill spot, thanked the curb, and engaged the ebrake which I'm not sure actually worked. The brake was both firm and soft when pressed. That was terrifying and I was literally just on the freeway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11542322September 2, 2023
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Loud beep then a warning that collision warning had been disabled and the side mirrorsno longer indicated someone was beside me. . First time it's done this and I was on the way to the dealer for service. I mentioned to him and he said it was probably the light rain we had and it had blocked the camera. On the way home it did the same thing and now it was sunny, clear and they had just washed my car. So back to the dealer to have them actually check the sensor.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539947August 21, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
UNKNOWN I was backing out of a parking space using the back up camera when I bumped a vehicle behind me. Also, when driving on the highway, the cruise control doesn't always respond properly I just want to know if my car has the latest safety updates available for insurance purposes
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538061August 12, 2023
ENGINE
In December 2022 at 10,000 miles my engine would make knocking noises when idle and hesitate to excelerate before jumping, i took it to dealer and there was no oil on the dipstick. None of the warning lights ever Came on. They started an oil consumption test, did a chamber cleaning on the engine and finally after 3 months and 3,000 extra miles they tell me i need a new engine/ ridiculous a new car with 10,000 miles does this!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11532048July 13, 2023
ENGINE
Came off the frwy and stopped and once I got back and accelerated the car began to make metal grinding sound from the engine drove immediately to the dealership that was less then quarter of a mile away. I left it over night and was told the next day it was not safe to drive at all and there was no loaner cars or rental service. 5 days later a loaner was provided. There was no warning light or alert sound for me to know there was something wrong. The car could had stopped on the frwy and caused a major accident. The dealership determined the short block needed to replaced and took action to have it covered under warranty. The car had 13,500 miles on it at the time and 30 days later a new short block was installed and completed with no extra warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519189April 27, 2023
STEERING
I was hearing a weird sound when turning the steering wheel and it reminded me of the same noise that happened before in March 2020 when the column and housing (part number 56390-39000)as well as bolt-safety lock (part number 81919-31000) were replaced at Boulder Hyundai (now called Foundation). This was covered under warranty then as the mileage was 24,928. The notes say: Customer states that there is a sound when turning the wheel. Technician confirmed customer complaint. Sound coming from steering wheel described as “growling”. Found TSB that states if sound is heard to remove and replace steering housing and assembly. Technician removed and replaced steering wheel column and assembly. Test drove to ensure proper operation. All is okay. When this happened again I told Manly Hyundai, and the service advisor said it was the worm gear. However I still had to pay for a diagnosis and repair ($225.09). If this is common, and there is a TSB, I’m very disappointed with what has happened (again I believe). The notes say: Confirmed noise at steering column. Worm shaft bearing noise. Recommend replacing small bearing kit as per TSB 22-ST-005H-1. Replaced worm shaft bearing as per previous diagnosis. Removed old component. Installed new bearing. OK at this time. Noise gone. [Part number ?56359-L1AAAFFF Bearing Kit, also has 84586.] The Kona now has 84,580 + miles. I don’t know how serious the problem is but I knew the sound wasn’t right and I don’t want the steering to fail. I really don’t want this to happen again. Your attention to this is appreciated. Sincerely, [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

← Back to Hyundai Kona