10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,727 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 #37

Jul 052024

Kona

  • miles

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

Told previous recall on engine was not needed on this vehicle while vehicle has same stalling issue that caused previous recall on engine. On july 5 2024 engine locked up nearly creating a wreck. Previous recall clearly is wider spread than hyundai is admitting. Now my car that is 8000 miles out of warranty needs an engine they claimed was not affected by previous recall but has same issue and originally fell under previous recall.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #36

Apr 012023

Kona

  • 36,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, he observed white smoke emanating from the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, on several occasions, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power and did not accelerate as intended. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown software needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. Lastly, the contact stated that while turned off the vehicle would not turn on. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #35

Feb 172024

Kona

  • miles
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 #34

Dec 112023

Kona

  • miles

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

My vehicle was purchased in late June 2023 with Remainder of Hyundai Factory Warranty promised. A few months ago I started hearing a ticking noise from the motor and on 3 different occasions almost stalled while stopped at a traffic light. I took it to CMA's Hyundai of Lynchburg and upon inspection was told I need a new motor due to finding possible aluminum on the piston head of cylinder 4. There was a previous recall on 2021 Hyundai KONA Motors due to faulty piston rings. I am wondering if the defect in my motor may be related. I was told I could not leave/drive my vehicle for my own safety. So my vehicle has been at the dealership since mid-December, 2023. They state the warranty is void.

- Goode, VA, USA

problem #33

Dec 222023

Kona

  • 23,000 miles
The contact stated that she was an insurance company claim adjuster who was calling on behalf of an insured consumer, who owned a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, the vehicle caught on fire. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated before the incident. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a report. The contact stated that the insurance company sent an inspector, who determined that the fire originated in the engine compartment. The contact stated that the entire vehicle burned and only the frame remained. There was no injury sustained. There was no police report filed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard, where it was totaled. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine); however, the VIN was not included. The contact did not know whether the dealer and the manufacturer were contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #32

Sep 132022

Kona

  • miles
9/13/2022 I took my vehicle in to the dealer stating the vehicle felt like it was going to stall. I was told there was no code found so they couldn't do anything, passed off as nothing wrong. On 4/1/2023 the vehicle stalled while pulling into a parking lot and a car behind me had to honk because it was going to hit me. I took the vehicle to dealer, they kept it two days, I was told it could not be created, no code found. 7/30/2023 the vehicle stalled on me four times, again I left it at the dealer for two days, vehicle was down 3 qts of oil. Oil consumption test started. During all this I had two open cases with Hyundai corporate. One was closed without my knowledge and the second my case was denied for any kind of help, no engine replacement or vehicle repurchase options provided to me. I was told I could open a case with the BBB which I currently have. I am waiting to hear what is happening with that currently. The vehicle continues to run extremely rough and sluggish, everytime I brake or slow down, I'm afraid it's going to stall. One time previously it did stall on me while driving on an overpass of a business street and I was afraid someone was going to hit me from behind. It's hard to drive a vehicle that everytime to put your foot on the brake or slow down you are afraid it's going to stall and someone is going to hit you from behind. That is a safety risk. When the vehicle has stalled it has been at different speeds, in different instances, like I said, slowing down, braking, pulling in to a parking lot and just driving straight.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #31

Sep 272023

Kona

  • miles

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

At a stop sign, or red light, car bucks, then accelerates. Steering column is making noise. Took car to dealership..stated they can't look at my car until October 31st, 2023! My car only has 16k miles. If this is a dangerous issue, especially the steering colum noise (possibly a bearing issue or rack and pinion problem)..why am I having to wait until October??

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #30

Jul 162023

Kona

  • miles
I purchased the vehicle on 6/29/23, mileage at purchase was 38,126. Per CarFax, this vehicle had an oil change at 38,026 miles (at Turnersville Hyundai). I drove this vehicle to Maryland and while there it had stalled 3 times, each time when I was going very slow. I came home to find out that in under 1,000 miles of driving since the last listed oil change, I had burned 2 quarts of oil. Took car back to Turnersville Hyundai where they kept if for 4 days and said they were doing an Oil Consumption Test and Hyundai was notified. There is no way two quarts of oil should burn up while driving under 1,000 miles.

- Sicklerville, NJ, USA

problem #29

Jan 102023

Kona

  • 23,700 miles
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

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

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
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
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
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

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