8.3

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
3,997 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.

2021 Hyundai Kona engine problems

engine problem

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2021 Hyundai Kona Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #29

Jan 102023

Kona

  • 23,700 miles

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

The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-45 MPH, there was a ticking and knocking sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle lost motive power, stalled, and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 23,700.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #28

Feb 182023

Kona

  • 21,400 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly lost motive power and stalled. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as designed. The contact indicated that the failure had occurred on four occasions while driving. The vehicle was serviced at the local dealer, but the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 21,400.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #27

Feb 182023

Kona

  • miles
My car has approximately 14,000 miles on it and was purchased brand new. It still has 1,000 miles to go before the next servicing. Saturday I when driving approximately 40 miles an hour, the engine suddenly cut off and the car stopped in the middle of the road. I was able to start the car and drive for approximately 15 minutes before it slowed to 3mph and shut off again. I called the dealership where I purchased it and explained what happened. Initially they said they had not serviced the car in a year. I let the car sit for a day then checked all the fluids. The coolant level was fine and so was the oil. Monday, it cut off twice on my way to work. I drove to the nearest dealership and left it there. I had to rent a car as no loaners are available. It has been at the dealership for 5 days. They thought they fixed but when they test drove it, the car cut out again. Later that day, I received an email from Hyundai Blue link with an Automatic DTC Notification that a possible condition has been detected with my Engine Control System.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #26

Nov 202022

Kona

  • miles

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

Vehicle will not go out of 3rd gear when on the interstate. The vehicle will go pass the redline and hit the fuel cut off and will not accelerate. Have to slow the car down and attempt to speed up again. Vehicle has almost been in accident multiple times due to almost being rear ended because can not get the vehicle up to speed.

- Hickory, NC, USA

problem #25

May 182022

Kona

  • miles
Driving 60mph on I-5 in May 2021. Dry roads, no wind. Vehicle suddenly surged (as if we ran over a speed bump at 60mph) despite there being no debris nor damage on the road surface. The surge felt like the ABS system triggered a single pulse, and then car completely turned off: no engine power, no radio power, no cabin lightning power, no dash lighting nor warning lights. Toggling the ignition to accessory didn't help. I had steering authority and brake authority. With no engine power, I pulled over to the side of the road. I inspected the exterior of the vehicle and there was no damage. I entered the vehicle and I was able to restart the vehicle normally. I drove it to a dealership and described the problem, they didn't know what it could be and were 30 days out on booking appointments, so I gave up.

- Marysville, WA, USA

problem #24

Oct 052022

Kona 4-cyl

  • miles
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).

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

problem #23

Oct 102022

Kona 4-cyl

  • miles

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

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.

- Harrisburg,, PA, USA

problem #22

Dec 012021

Kona

  • 5,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shut off without warning. The vehicle would restart soon after failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where he was informed that his oil level was severely low; however, they were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #21

Jun 282022

Kona

  • 15,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle consumed an excessive amount of oil. Additionally, the vehicle made loud noises while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on eight separate occasions, and the dealer refilled the oil reservoir every one-thousand miles. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

- Lake Ariel, PA, USA

problem #20

Jun 152022

Kona

  • miles
Ongoing issues with the motor consuming oil despite passing a safety recall inspection. Issues with knocking, oil consumption, engine light on. Issues with the dealership fixing the problem. Issues since January of this year. Issues with stalling and motor locking up. Now no oil and not due for oil change, knocking, hesitates, motor light on.

- Wolcottville, IN, USA

problem #19

May 102022

Kona

  • miles

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

While driving to work car started knocking. As soon as i arrived not even 5 miles from my home, died in my parking lot. Car had no indications of issues. Only information was due for oil change. Checked oil there was none. I was taking it in for service the next day for my regular service check. I was 62 miles over the standard time. Had to pay a tow and found out there is a hole in my engine block. Well with no indication of "Low oil" this brings a question of a information failure>?

- Lafayette, IN, USA

problem #18

Nov 252021

Kona

  • 7,500 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that she received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer who inspected the vehicle and informed her that no issues were found. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, she heard abnormal knocking sounds coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that no issues were found; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle had lost 3.5 quarts out of 4 quarts of oil within 4,000 miles. The dealer informed the contact to bring the vehicle back for an oil consumption evaluation after 1,000 miles. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,500.

- Denton, MD, USA

problem #17

Feb 022022

Kona

  • miles
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.

- San Francisco , CA, USA

problem #16

Dec 022020

Kona

  • 50 miles
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.

- Northridge, CA, USA

problem #15

Feb 012022

Kona

  • miles
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.

- Havana, FL, USA

problem #14

Dec 102021

Kona

  • 21,605 miles
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.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #13

Jan 022022

Kona

  • miles
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?

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #12

Jul 012021

Kona 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer also performed an engine check on the vehicle and found no fault with the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Bensalem, PA, USA

problem #11

Feb 252021

Kona

  • miles
I brought the HYUNDAI KONA SEL from Bentley HYUNDAI of Huntsville, al on 25, FEB 2021 on 1 July Hyundai sent me a notice of the recall. after going on line to there web site I saw that the recall was posted 28, April 2021 why did it take Hyundai 2 months to let me know of the recall. is it possible that HYUNDAI tried to sell off all the cars with the recall on the 2.0 engines before the NHTSA.org posted the recall. if the recall was posted to Hyundai would they still be allowed to sell the cars with the recall on the 2,0 engines to get them off the dealers lots Bentley Hyundai gave me a $3,500 rebate off the sticker price of $27,000 it made me think they we're dumping the KONA"S ASAP thanks [XXX] @ [XXX]

- Harvest, AL, USA

problem #10

Jul 072021

Kona

  • miles
on 1, JULY 2021 receive notice from HYUNDAI USA about Recall of car due to bad Rings that might cause Engine failure due to engine running badly and might cause engine to lock up and throw a rod and catch fire, I am 75 years old US NAVY COMBAT VERERAN with PTSD and other serious medical problems and My wife is 74 years old her knees and hips have ben operated on but she still has problems getting in and out of the car. We take our 4 GRAND BABYS to and from school and the sitter 5 days a week. the youngest turned 1 year old on July 7th this year and the oldest is 81/2 years old. we would not able to get our self's and the Grand kids in and out of the car in a Emergency On 7 JULY, I returned to my Dealer BENTLEY HYUNDAI in Huntsville Al. they told me that there was :NO FIX: or test that they could do on My KONA SEL and to drive it until it "Catch's Fire and Breaks down." Than to have it" towed into they Dealer ship" using the HYUNDAI tow Service. This was totally out of the question as they knew about my wife and Grand kids most days of the week! At that time I didn't Remember about my 2016 SONATA SE that was brought new from BENTLEY HYUNDAI that had a software up grade to monitor the engine's operation to tell if problems were developing and Warn the operator. This was done back in 2020 ? I was under a lot of stress over this recall and they were telling me "Not to Worry" about it they showed me several other cars model of Hyundai's and I even drove one home to show my wife, which she didn't like as the color wasn't right and the trim options and safety options didn't compare to the 2021 KONA SEL. After dealing with the sales man who was really trying to help me and the General manager MR. JOHNSON, who I felt just was just trying to get me to leave as I was really loud and very up set about they were handing the matter. they drove a 2022 KONA Se up for me to look over. It was very funny that only a few hours before there we're none.

- Harvest, AL, USA

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