Hyundai Kona Complaints
964 consumer complaints on file.
- #11495945December 4, 2022ENGINE
My car has been burning oil and knocking and I repeatedly took it back to the dealer with concern that these symptoms are similar to a recent recall on Hyundai Kona engine due to engine failure. Recently I had an inspection (which passed) and as I was driving away from the dealer the engine light came on and I took the car back and the mechanics told me the car is in engine failure! Engine failure can result in dangerous stalling seizing of engine, oil leaks and fires according to the recall information. It is inconceivable to me that my car (2020 Kona) is not included in this recall when I am having the same issues, and this has gone on for three months during which myself and my family (and other drivers on the road) were in danger.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11494882November 25, 2022ENGINE, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Rad bearing defect. Engine needs to be replaced.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11493378November 13, 2022ENGINE
Vehicle is burning oil at a rapid pace. Vehicle could catch fire or stall out due to the burning oil inside the engine. Problem is consistent with adding oil regularly in between changes. Vehicle has not been inspected, but will be in the near future. No warning lamps, but oil dip stick is always low
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11493121November 10, 2022ENGINE
After two years of driving, car seemed to start having engine noises. Felt like loss of acceleration? The vehicle stalled twice after noticing this when in a slower speed. No engine warning light or oil malfunction light ever came on. Our local mechanic said the car was close to being out of oil. Never any evidence of oil on the ground or any type of odor. Dealer was informed of the issue on Nov 9. They said no appointment available until Dec 1, I said the car does not seem safe to drive. Then they changed appointment to Nov 21. No loaner available. Not sure how long this will take to fix if a lot of people are having this type of issue. The car is two years old and with only 12000 miles. We don't go on extensive trips. Mostly drive around town, some highway driving. The servicing was done at dealer at about 6500 miles, they also did something for a "software" recall. And they indicated the next servicing due as 16000 miles. I'm reading some horror stories online, as when there's a problem Hyundai tries to get out of doing the work under their 10 yr warranty. Never, ever had a car that "might need a new engine" (dealer's words) after 12000 miles. Unsafe! Not sure I even trust a "new engine."
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11492920November 9, 2022ENGINE
The contact’s mother owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while her mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that her mother was able to restart the vehicle; however, while driving at an undisclosed speed, she depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle stalled again. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11492512November 6, 2022ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
22’ Kona N DCT Base US spec. 5,600 miles est (2nd Kona) Fuel used: Shell Premium Outside Temp: 76F/Dry-Clear Sky. This is my 2nd Kona N, this is the 4th experience I’ve had with my Kona N’s. Towed the first on Vin# [XXX] to dealer, engine stalled after refueling during a road trip. 6/7k miles. Misfire. No replaced parts, car started acting normal. Then I traded it in for another Kona N in June 22’. The vehicle in normal mode is fine. I believe. Switching from N Mode is where the engine starts misfiring and runs on 3,2cyl puffing out white smoke. Leaving me stranded. The codes all show via car touch screen, and OBD reader/history. All electronics perform properly, including active safety features. I am Hyundai affiliated but I do not know how to relay the message. All of the Kona N/Elantra N/Veloster N DCT. Need software updates. It’s a bug, I honestly think. 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
- #11492026November 2, 2022POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My 2023 Hyundai Kona SEL FWD currently has approximately 1500 miles on the odometer. Pretty much since the day I my 2023 Kona SEL on 9/3/2022, the car has had an issue where, after I start the car and begin driving it for about 20 or 30 seconds the car will lose power entirely. Engine shuts down, and the following warning codes illuminate-Immobilizer, check engine light, battery light, and oil lights come on and the car prompts me to restart it. Sometimes an alarm will also sound, flashing red, with the following message on the vehicle's information display "Engine Off! Shift to N, then start engine." At other times the following message will appear "Shift to P and N to start engine." Initially this happened once or twice a week, 1-2 times a day, usually after the vehicle has been powered off for 12 or more hours. As of the writing of this message, 11/2/2022, this issue occured 4 times in one day. The first time in the morning while I was driving the vehicle at low speeds and applied the brakes, and the other 3 times in the evening, also while I was driving at low speeds and applied the brake. Fortunately, vehicle shuts down when I am driving at low speeds while the brake is applied. I personally feel unsafe driving the car, because I am not sure if the issue will worsen and the vehicle will lose power while it being driven at higer speeds and public roasds. I have a servicing appointment scheduled my with Hyundai dealership for 11/11/2022 (this message is dated 11/2/2022). Honestly, I am very concerned the problem will worsen. I hope the dealership will be able to reproduce and rectify the issue. I have opened a case with Hyundai USA in this regard as well. I am not sure what specific system is causing the above warning lights and warnings to appear, or causing the vehicle to lose power while being driven at low speeds with the brake applied, but the vehicle would defintely be available for further inspection if needed.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11490818October 25, 2022ENGINE, POWER 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 was able to get up to 50mph and slowly make my way to the dealership where I bought it 2 months ago. I turned the vehicle off went inside to talk to the service center where I was told that it'd take 2 to 3 days to even get my car in to get looked at and they did not have any loaners to give me. I still had to work and couldn't take time off so I went back to my car and restarted it after a few minutes and it drove regularly.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11490731October 25, 2022SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
This is my 2nd report on the same issue. There is another report from me on the first and I will be discussing this with my Hyundai dealer today. On a 250 mile road trip, on the expressway, two separate times, the car suddenly braked hard and the emergency warning flashed on the speedometer. Each time it was about 3-5 seconds. On the second incident, my passenger thinks she noticed it happening in conjunction with a car appearing on my side. She said the side mirror warning lit up at the same time the car started braking. It could just be a coincidence though. Thankfully, neither time did the brakes fully stop the car, but DAMN, it is very scary when it happens on the expressway and I am very nervous to drive with the feature on.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11489922October 19, 2022ENGINE
Vehicle only has 30000 miles was driving on the highway. When the engine started making a loud clapping, tapping noise pulled of the exit and the car totally turned off. So I thought the starter failed. But after further inspection saw that a metal rod from inside the engine broke through and sheared off the cables behind the starter as well.. its the same description that other kona owners with the 2.0L version describe " catastrophic engine failure " same noise same everything but I owe the 1.6L version. In the photos you see the back of the starter and the cut cables to the left of the pic. And to the right rear of the pic you see the sheared metal rod that broke through the engine. And cut the cables that go into the starter.... We were going to the hospital to see my son when it happened. He was in the hospital for 1yr since then he has passed. I finally was able to send in my car to the dealership. Where it has been for the last 4 1/2 months with no resolve.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11489420October 15, 2022ENGINE
while driving, oil began to pour into the exhaust system and the engine stopped starting
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11489330October 14, 2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V127000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11488711October 10, 2022ENGINE
Please refer to Complaint 11488659 filed 10/10/22. I erroneously listed date of incident as 10/4. Incident occurred on 10/5/22, while driving on highway check oil light suddenly came own with knocking and other noises. I was able to pull onto exit ramp before deceleration and total stall with oil running out of bottom of car. I called 911 due to large trucks and traffic stopped behind me. State police came and stayed until AAA towed car to Freysinger Hyundai in Mechanicsburg , Pa (717) 766-8422, where regular maintenance has been done on the car as recently as Sept. 20, 2022. I was advised by [XXX] in Service Dept. That engine had failed with at least 3 months or more wait for replacement parts. I was forced to purchase another vehicle at great expense. 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
- #11488659October 10, 2022ENGINE
Oct 4,2022, 2021 Kona, 17,600 miles, was operating on highway when suddenly "check oil" light came on and knockin noises began. Able to pull onto off ramp before deceleration and total stall with oil running out of bottom of car. State Police stayed with vehicle due due heavy truck traffic until AAA towed to Freysinger Hyundai in Mechanicsburg, Pa. Diagnosed engine failure with 3 to 6 month wait for necessary parts for repair. Had to purchase another car at great financial loss.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11488652October 10, 2022FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Incident #1: Auto Emergency Breaking System sensed false situation and auto braked nearly causing high speed accident. Caused while exiting I-80 West Bound off ramp with two lanes Ramp that exits. I was in the inside lane and there was another vehicle in the outside lane. Assuming the system thought I was going to turn into the outer car and braked suddenly. Incident #2: Lane keeping system, constantly fights me for no known reason. While in Las Vegas on Flamingo Road on Oct. 10, 2022 the system suddenly jerked the car to the left and nearly into a head-on crash. My family is very lucky to be okay. Car has problems when road markings are not consistent or when using reflectors (vs painted lines) or when there are exits. It's safer to leave the system off in my experience.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11488370October 7, 2022UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This Hyundai Kona SE 2018 model comes with a key start and we are not getting recalls for a free fix with an engine immobilizer. Hyundai dealership is asking me to pay more than 800 dollars in installing thier fix which they caused. Even our family 2006 Corolla has the simple engine immobilizer chip on the key. Please help us.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11488340October 7, 2022WHEELS
I recently blew out my front tire and put on the Hyundai supplied emergency spare. Within 15 minutes of driving, no more than 10 miles, I was flagged down by another driver because a huge cloud of smoke was coming from my car. I had the car towed into a dealership and they informed me that the spare tire that Hyundai supplied me damaged the transfer casing on the front tire, causing the smoke. I was told to never put that tire on the front of my car or it will again damage my car. I contacted first my local selling dealer. They were no help. They informed me that the spare tire was the correct part and I needed to contact Hyundai directly, which I did. After a week of investigation, [XXX], from their National Consumer Affairs department, indicates that Hyundai has essentially washed their hands of my problem and said it is the correct part and I should use that. I said it damaged my car and the response was it is only supposed to be on long enough to get to a repair shop. My car was overheating after only 10 miles. Smoke was coming from my car after 15 minutes. What if I was on a highway when the tire blew? It could be much longer than 10 miles. Would the car catch on fire? Will Hyundai take responsibility for the possibility of my car catching on fire? What about the dangers to myself and my family? Hyundai is taking no further action on this. I am to use the supplied part, damage, or no damage. 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
- #11488124October 6, 2022POWER TRAIN
Was driving on the freeway when lost all power when the gas pedal was pushed no power then the rpms would shoot to 7000 was able to get off the freeway the check came on had the car towed to the dealership after waiting 2 weeks was told the transmission needed to be replaced this was on a 2022 Hyundai kona with only 7000 miles on it
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11487255September 30, 2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Check engine light came on, then went away. Check engine light came on 2 months later, then went away. Car completely dead 1 month later without any dashboard lights warning anything. Replaced battery and car died again 1 month after installing new battery. After jumping the car, alternator test read 12 at local repair shop.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11487041September 29, 2022ENGINE
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact than noticed that the checking engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and the oil warning light flashed twice on the instrument panel. The contact was able to pull into a service station and had the vehicle towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that whenever the last oil change was performed, the drain cap was not replaced, causing severe damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the failure was not similar to the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 18,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0