10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
16,600 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Hyundai Kona drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2018 Hyundai Kona Owner Comments

problem #5

Aug 292022

Kona

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

8/29/20002, the ABS brakes system and Fuel Injection system 10/31/2022, Battery 11/8/2022, car stalled on the freeway 11/9/2022, Car stalled on the freeway 11/19/2022, Timing Control and camshaft position sensors 12/2/2022, Engine fire, the smell of burning plastic 1/9/12, Grinding noise near the right rear tire. I can provide the invoices under separate cover.

- Brea, CA, USA

problem #4

Feb 252023

Kona

  • miles
Oil change was on 1/13/2023 at 33,505 miles. On 2/25/2023 at 35,366 miles after driving on the highway for about 30 mins at 65 mph, the oil light came on and car was making a loud noise as I pulled in to park. My car was parked for about 1.5hrs at my destination. I attempted to drive home and get back on the highway when my engine stalled at about 40 mph and my engine and battery light came on. I had to pull over to the shoulder as my car would not drive anymore. My car was then towed to my house and later to the hyundai dealer where they determined that my engine stalled due to lack of oil because my drain plug was missing. Hyundai refuses to fix this under warranty because the drain plug is missing and they are insisting this is because of the oil change place I went to nearly 2 months ago. When I went to the oil change place, they insist that they didn't do anything wrong, and if they did incorrectly put the drain plug on, my oil would've leaked much sooner than it did. There is currently and investigation with NHTSA with my exact issue where the oil drain plug still falls out, even if the person performing the oil change puts the drain plug on exactly how it should be. Directly from the NHTSA site: "Apparently, the thin metal, along with engine vibrations and expansion/contraction tend to loosen the drain plug without any other intervention. NHTSA is investigating this as a factory defect issue." My safety was deeply put at risk as I was driving on the highway when this happened and I could've easily gotten into an accident and faced injuries. I'm stuck in the middle as the oil change place denies it is their fault and hyundai refuses to fix under warranty strictly because the oil drain plug is missing. When I explained to them that I would've have this issue with my engine if the drain plug was present, they agreed. They are stating that it is $10,000 to repair my car and that I have to pay upfront and cannot do multiple payments

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #3

Jan 122023

Kona

  • miles
According to the garage Piston Ring failure causing engine damage and oil consumption. Vehicle shut off while excelling on a high traffic route. Vehicle has been in the garage since 1/13/23. As of today 2/1/23 still awaiting news of engine replacement.

- Amsterdam, NY, USA

problem #2

Jan 132021

Kona

  • 54,000 miles
On 1/13/21, vehicle emitted a blue smoke and misfired when accelerating from complete stop from rural road onto state highway.. vehicle was taken to ciocca Hyundai of williamsport, where it had been serviced 2 days prior. They replaced 2 spark plugs and stated it was fine. Vehicle worked fine until the following morning. The vehicle was misfiring during an acceleration from complete stop and eventually quit on me. I was on a state highway at this point. The vehicle was towed to ciocca Hyundai of williamsport. They serviced it until 1/18/21. Upon pick up, they stated that they believed it to be bad fuel that was causing the trouble. The fueling station I exclusively use has no reports of bad fuel besides mine. The following morning, 1/19/21, the vehicle's main display showed an error message that "a possible condition has been detected with the engine control system. Please take vehicle to nearest dealer." See attached for image of this message. Ciocca Hyundai came and got the vehicle. They had it for two weeks. Upon receiving the vehicle back, they stated that it was just an "old code that wasn't cleared" and that the vehicle was not displaying any issues. 15 miles after leaving the dealership, that message reappeared. On 2/5/21, the vehicle felt like it was jerking slightly. I reported this to the dealer and they stated that the vehicle would be ok to operate in this condition. On 2/6/21, the vehicle emitted a blue smoke during acceleration from complete stop on side road. The vehicle then misfired to the point of almost quitting when pulling out onto a state highway from a complete stop. This could cause an accident. I reported this to the dealer who wants the vehicle to come in tonight for an appointment on 2/10/21. Hyundai Consumer Affairs has been notified of all of this but hasn't provided any course of action besides just investigation.

- Muncy, PA, USA

problem #1

Jan 092020

Kona

  • 29,000 miles
Was driving Hyundai Kona down the freeway. I smelled a burning smell, I saw the check engine light blink once. The car went into limp mode and I started pulling over to the shoulder. Stopping on the shoulder, I noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. I evacuated the car and within a few minutes, flames were present. It was between 2-3 miles start to finish.

- Elk River, MN, USA

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