10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,200 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.

2020 Hyundai Kona drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2020 Hyundai Kona:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2020 Hyundai Kona Owner Comments

problem #10

Mar 042024

Kona

  • miles

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

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.

- Westerly, RI, USA

problem #9

Jan 192024

Kona

  • miles
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.

- Arlington, VA, USA

problem #8

Feb 062022

Kona

  • miles
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"

- St. Augustine, FL, USA

problem #7

Nov 082023

Kona

  • miles

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

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

- Wilmington, MA, USA

problem #6

Oct 212023

Kona

  • miles
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.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #5

Dec 122022

Kona

  • miles
For the last 2 weeks I-??ve been hearing weird engine noises. Like metal pieces being grinded. The car has issues accelerating. Will not change gears properly causing the car to redline on the tachometer. Just today I hear noises a lot more frequently and as I-??m driving and coming to a slow turn the car stalled out on me. I quickly put the car in park and started the car and it started back up. But now I feel a loss in power In the car. The car stalled on me more than six times. Every time I came to a complete stop the car would stall. So every stop sign and red light the car was stalling. The car is still under warranty but I do hope this can be resolved. I know it-??s the engine that-??s definitely having internal mechanical issues and transmission as well. Also the 2 lower headlights are also out as well. This is with the car having 34705 miles only. Wast expecting to have this many issues. I have a video of the car stalling out as well and another showing a rough idle on the car.

- Vernon Rockville, CT, USA

problem #4

Jun 182022

Kona

  • miles

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

After driving the car for several hours, I arrived at my destination and as I was parking the vehicle, it would not move when put in reverse. I received a message on the dashboard that said, -??transmission problem detected.-?? I had the car towed the nearest Hyundai dealer. They diagnosed the issue as a transmission failure. They ordered and replaced the transmission with a rebuilt unit under warranty. I picked up the vehicle approximately 3 weeks later when the repair was completed. I drove the vehicle for 1 week before a similar problem occurred. While driving the vehicle, I received a warning message on the dashboard and the vehicle stopped on the road. The symptom of this subsequent failure was that the vehicle could not go over 2-3 mph. I had the vehicle towed to the nearest Hyundai dealer approximately 10 days ago. It is currently sitting in the dealer's lot waiting for them to "get around to check it".

- Mineola, NY, USA

problem #3

Apr 012020

Kona

  • 13,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving the vehicle stalled. The gear shifter was stuck in reverse and drive. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the contact the vehicle was working as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but, the failure recurred. The vehicle failed to turn on and there was an abnormal odor of fire. Additionally, The vehicle failed to start. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000. The contact mentioned a complaint was filed with the BBB.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #2

Aug 162021

Kona

  • 10,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that several unknown recalls related to the battery were performed on the vehicle. The contact stated that after the recall repairs were performed and while starting the vehicle, the battery warning light illuminated. Additionally, the transmission failed to shift into gear as needed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the battery failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #1

Mar 092021

Kona

  • 29,000 miles
While on the highway, a message "collision detection system failure" flashed on the instrument panel, and the brakes slammed on full, followed by the transmission stuck in 4th gear. I had to leave the highway, and power off the engine - effectively rebooting the car. I continued on to work but I shut off the collision detection system, which has to be set at each power cycle. This has happened to my car 3 times, twice on the highway. Dealer service downloaded logs with no indication of the problem.

- Lawrence, MA, USA

Not what you are looking for?