Hyundai Kona Complaints (2019)

252 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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#11767709September 29, 2026
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that prior to purchasing the vehicle, the contact was informed that the vehicle had been previously repaired under recall. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 – 35 MPH, and releasing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated that the dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (ENGINE). The failure mileage was 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11765528September 19, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
My Blue Hyundai Kona Ultimate paint is peeling from the roof. This can create a hazard if the paint chips in large pieces and flys obstructing visibility. The paint chipping is also close to the front windshield which can block the path of the wiper blades. Hyundai has acknowledged that certain year vehicles have a manufactures default of delaminated paint that could possible fly off in sheets. However, they have only recalled white colored vehicles for repair while doing nothing about other colored vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764823September 16, 2026
ENGINE
I took my vehicle to a dealership for a recall and they refused to honor it. They made excuses and performed an unrelated service.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764152September 14, 2026
ENGINE
Vehicle starting using extreme amounts of oil, lose acceleration and stalling while driving and making klicking noises. All symptoms point to Hyundai recall 203 (NHTSA campaign number 21V301000). Dealer and manufacturer refuse to fix it, citing lack of extended warranty and high mileage, as well as insist of oil consumption test that would require me to drive the vehicle for another 1000 miles for them to be able to determine the oil consumption. Because I don't fee it is safe to drive the vehicle, I declined the test, but was willing to allow the dealer's service employees to drive it. They refused. I ended up donating the vehicle to Kars for Kids and notified them about the situation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11762578September 7, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
My 2019 Hyundai Kona SE (2.0L Nu MPI/Atkinson engine) was previously subject to NHTSA Recall 21V301000 (Hyundai Recall 203) for defective piston oil rings that can chip and cause accelerated oil consumption, engine knocking, and stalling. That recall's remedy was performed under a prior owner in December 2021. In November 2025, a Hyundai dealership installed a Cylinder Noise Diagnostic System (CNDS) software update (Service Campaign 974) specifically meant to detect this defect's vibration signature before it causes engine damage. Approximately 7,000-8,000 miles and about nine months after that software update, the vehicle stalled unexpectedly while being driven on two separate occasions, with no check-engine light or other warning beforehand. A third stall left the vehicle unable to restart. It was towed to a service station, which found no engine oil and no external leak. A Hyundai dealership subsequently diagnosed cracked valves that allowed approximately 5 quarts of oil to burn through the engine, and determined the engine requires complete replacement. This is the same failure mode (oil consumption/engine damage leading to stalling) that the original recall and the 2025 software update were both meant to prevent, and the software gave no advance warning before the stalling occurred. The vehicle and dealership diagnosis are available for inspection upon request.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757596August 18, 2026
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The engine was spewing oil into the air filter and also out of a hose near the turbo. It was also consuming high amounts of oil, yes its available for inspection. I was driving on a busy public highway and my car lost power and would not accelerate no the problem has not been confirmed as of yet vehicle has not received official inspection yet there was zero warning lamps, messages, or any indicator of any kind that there was a problem. there still isnt
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757669August 18, 2026
ENGINE
The contact's daughter owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 40 MPH, smoke started coming from under the hood. The vehicle lost power and came to a stop in front of a convenience store, blocking the entrance. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The driver called the Fire Department, and it was confirmed that the engine compartment displayed severe heating damage. There was no fire. The firemen on the scene recommended that the vehicle be towed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the failure was a known failure and might be covered under an extended warranty program. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized. No electrical failure was found. The dealer initially offered to cover 95% of the cost of the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to cover 85% of the cost of the repair, but the contact declined. The contact stated that the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update had previously been completed on the vehicle; however, the update failed to prevent the engine failure. The manufacturer informed the contact that the extended warranty could not be applied due to a transfer of ownership to the contact's daughter. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750800July 16, 2026
ENGINE
The vehicle suffered a sudden, severe loss of power while driving, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly. This created an immediate hazard to myself and other motorists on the road, as I was forced to navigate a dead vehicle out of active traffic without power steering or power braking assist. Prior to the total failure, the engine exhibited severe mechanical knocking, loss of acceleration, and high oil consumption without any visible external oil leaks. This engine failure is a direct result of the manufacturing defect detailed in NHTSA Safety Recall 203 (NHTSA Campaign 21V301000) concerning improperly heat-treated piston oil rings that cause severe cylinder scuffing and engine stall. Although the software update (Campaign 974) was previously completed on this VIN, the physical defect was never mechanically repaired. The software update failed to prevent the physical, defectively manufactured components from destroying the engine. Hyundai is refusing to honor the safety campaign and replace the failed engine because the recall database incorrectly lists the recall status as "completed."
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749136July 8, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
First notice was exterior top railing coating wearing down after just 3 years of having car. Notified dealership of this issue and was stated that my car was out of warranty. (Now 7yo) Exterior Paint is peeling off hood; exposing primer layering, as well as in some spots, the main body itself. This is a known defect caused by factory laquer coating and of which dealership states they STILL will not cover repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11746808June 26, 2026
ENGINE
My 2019 Hyundai Kona has been burning oil, I’ve done great upkeep on it, including topping the oil off in between services. This is because it obviously has been burning oil, well recently it started stalling, then starting/turning it over has been acting up. The RPM’s have not been stable at all an I’ve ran two diagnostic test on it, they came back as a “camshaft error” I can’t remember the exact code at the moment. However the mechanics I have questioned said it’s probably from the oil pressure being messed up from the oil burning up. Whether it be the sensor not regulating properly or the engine itself not getting enough lubricant. I have heard from others with Hyundais an it’s not just Kona’s, people are saying they burn through their oil fairly quickly compared to other cars they’ve had. With that being said, the car now stalls in traffic and the check engine light came on finally, that’s when we first ran diagnostics. Which I have had diagnostics ran at one place I go to for oil changes, a one at a Meineke, and soon to be a third at Autozone because I need to get the exact code again. I’m worried because my mom an I have been sharing this vehicle and the stalling makes it dangerous, it can be put in neutral and restarted but I have a service appointment with a dealership to see what they can do, however I feel this is happening from something caused straight from the manufacturer, not improper care or overuse. So I’m filing a complaint because if you stall while crossing traffic and could not restart, or know how to restart it, you could get in a wreck. This all seemed to start happening as well right after the vehicle rolled over 100,000 miles, go figure right? An if you needed to inspect this happening it would not be hard to do, all you would have to do is turn over the engine, then drive it for a bit an it will eventually stall, an you could also see the RPM’s bouncing and the noises it makes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744406June 16, 2026
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH on the highway, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to pull over to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving into a parking lot. The battery warning light illuminated on several occasions. Additionally, the contact stated that the check engine and low oil pressure warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone and to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the piston oil ring failure had caused low oil pressure, which resulted in the timing failure. The failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (ENGINE). The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure but denied a loaner vehicle or towing assistance to the dealer located 75 miles away. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742887June 9, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the AWD warning light illuminated and was reset each time the vehicle was restarted. The contact also stated that over a couple of months, while downshifting, stopping, or decelerating, the vehicle stalled on several occasions. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the Check Engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to an AutoZone, where a handheld diagnostic machine retrieved diagnostic trouble codes: P0017 (crankshaft) and P0171 (system too lean), and it was observed that the oil reservoir was empty. Two quarts of oil were added to the vehicle. The contact stated that after being serviced, the vehicle was idling high and stalled while driving at unknown speeds on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with a sheared timing pin, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742657June 8, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while making left turns on several occasions, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was shifted into park (P) and restarted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. However, during routine maintenance, an independent mechanic noticed that the oil reservoir was empty, and an oil change was completed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742104June 4, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Vehicle (2019 Kona) is subject to Recall 203 (piston ring/bore defect). On XXX Puente Hills Hyundai refused the mandatory physcial inspection, instead attempting to charge $1,100 for 'leak repairs.' An independent inspection by Valvoline on XXX confirmed the engine is dry with no leaks, proving the dealer's claim was fraudulent. Following a recent ECU update, the vehicle triggered a P0420 code—a known symptom of the internal engine damage covered by Recall 203. My Hyundai Corporate Case (#XXX) is currently stalled as the dealer refuses to provide technician notes or perform the safety inspection. I am operating an unsafe vehicle with documented internal mechanical failure. Requesting immediate intervention for a physical cylinder inspection. Please refer to the attached document (SUMMARY OF EVENTS) for the full chronology, supporting evidence, and email correspondence related to the dealership's refusal to perform Recall 203. See attached PDF (Evidence_Email_Correspondence) for documentation of the dealership's refusal to provide technician notes and their unprofessional communication regarding this safety recall. 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

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