10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2021 Hyundai Kona:

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

2021 Hyundai Kona Owner Comments

problem #8

Feb 172024

Kona

  • miles

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

My 2021 Hyundai Kona AWD will not operate. It only has 18,000 miles on it and I bought it new. I had the oil changed at 7,000 miles. The dealership made me wait a month to take a look at it, and I believe that they know there is an issue with this model so they are trying to stall. I plan to request a buyback. The last time I tried to drive it, it died every time the car came to a brake. I had to sit with my emergency lights flashing for a few minutes to get it to start again, only to have it die at the next light. This is very dangerous.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #7

Oct 272023

Kona

  • miles
The 2021 Kona SEL PLUS AT AWD suddenly changed into the manual low gear and abruptly stalled in traffic. The Kona was stopped at a traffic light. When the traffic light turned green and the car was driven, the Kona's transmission seemed to switch into the manual low gear creating a high RPM. After it crossed the intersection, the Kona stalled and stopped abruptly in traffic. Shortly thereafter, the car was restarted and it went back to driving normally. The Kona was taken to the dealership but they could not find any code. So they say without a code, they can not do anything. This is a serious safety problem. I have a video of the incident. I have contacted HyundaiUSA and they will not do anything without a code.

- Reston, VA, USA

problem #6

May 052022

Kona

  • miles
When slowing down to a stop and im not completely stopped and then step on the gas the vehicle makes a winding noise and has no transmission engagement for several seconds so if im in s turning lane or even going forward when a street light turn green, there's been dozens of times where this happened and i need to let off the gas pedal slowing me down while e everyone else is gaining speed making them to jam on their breaks. I let the dealership know and their answer was just come to a complete stop, i was like during a green light? The other thing everyday I drive it the blind spot warning lights keep turning on even when theres no one around me and now i had the low tire pressure light turning on then off when the tires are completely inflated

- Darien, WI, USA

problem #5

Feb 152022

Kona

  • miles

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

* The 7 speed DCT transmission (automatic) jerks and down shifts hard and lunges forward when braking and coming to a stop. Upon acceleration the transmission also is jerky in first gear. It's like driving a manual transmission for the first time. * If not properly controlled by braking, I could hit the car in front of me. * I have had the vehicle in twice to the Hyundai dealership, but they say the judder not bad enough to replace the transmission. They also did a software update that did not change anything. There is a Hyundai Technical Service Bulletin #22-AT-007H * There were no warning lights or messages to indicate the problem. The vehicle currently has 35,200 miles. I noticed the bad shifting at about 12,000 miles and it has gotten worse.

- Milliken, CO, USA

problem #4

May 162023

Kona 4-cyl

  • miles
After Stopping for a traffic sign, I proceeded to go forward when a loud noise occurred ( grinding of gears), I loss power to move forward. A car in back of me had to apply his brakes to avoid hitting me. I pulled over to the curb and parked. Upon starting up again, I did not have full power to accelerate. I also could not put the car in reverse. About 10 minutes later, I received a message on the car information screen -?? A possible condition with your Transmission Control System has been detected with your 2021 Kona-?? -?? A full system check is recommended to be done soon-??. I then drove it to a Dealership where it is now.

- Waukesha, WI, USA

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

problem #3

Dec 092022

Kona

  • miles
When you press on the gas, many times there is a very delayed reaction for power. This resulted in my safety put at risk. I have mentioned this to mechanic, they say it is the transmission. I see where there was a recall for 'automatic transmission that may disengage when the car is being driven'. This is NHTSA campaign number 22V746000. and Hyundai's number for this recall is 236. I would like to know if my car should be included in the 236.

- Midvale, UT, USA

problem #2

Dec 312022

Kona

  • miles
The car has never been good on gas or changing gears when drive mode was changed to sport from the beginning. It would say 200 miles to drive I will drive 30 miles and it will go down to 130. Recently the engine light has come on the car stalls when going a very low speeds and appears to have problems changing gears. Now I am receiving a crankshaft position camshaft powertrain system code P0017. Not even a year old 28k miles. I understand there are recalls on this make model and year yet my VIN is not registered.

- Port Jefferson , NY, USA

problem #1

Jan 162022

Kona

  • miles
While driving up a steep mountain road in heavy traffic and snow the transmission on my Hyundai Kona overheated and failed. The car began to buck back and forth and a transmission light came on. Unfortunately I was on a mountain interstate in heavy traffic with no real shoulder due to snow. I attempted to limp the car to the top but moved towards the right lane in case. The transmission did it's bucking thing 3 times total and then I noticed smoke coming from the powertrain area. At this point I pulled over and put my car basically into a snow bank so as not to get run over by semi trucks. I called AAA but was able to get the car up the hill after letting the transmission cool for around an hour. This entire situation was completely unsafe and had I been informed I would not have purchased the car because I know that I spend most of the winter in traffic on a mountain interstate. What's even more concerning, this issue is documented heavily online yet the sales reps for Hyundai are not aware. The service department is aware and told me that they couldn't do anything because it was working as it is designed. See here an additional forum which outlines the same issue for another driver. https://www.hyundaikonaforum.com/threads/dct-shifting-annoyances.2428/ Best, Greg

- Littleton, CO, USA

Not what you are looking for?