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2021 Hyundai Kona

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2021 Hyundai Kona do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 74.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

29 reports with mileage · 87 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports3 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

116 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2022
Engine

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. …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11451095

21,605 miles · Jan 3, 2022
Engine

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 vehi…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11445933

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2022
Engine

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…

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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?

NHTSA ODI #11445833

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2021
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashFireInjury

The contact’s father owned a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while her father was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was stuck and the seat belt did not lock the contact’s father into his seat during impact. The vehicle crashed into a traffic light pole, went uphill, and then flipped before stoppin…

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The contact’s father owned a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while her father was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was stuck and the seat belt did not lock the contact’s father into his seat during impact. The vehicle crashed into a traffic light pole, went uphill, and then flipped before stopping. The air bags deployed, but the steering wheel air bag caught fire. The contact’s father was able to exit the vehicle. The contact’s father suffered fractured back, chest, ribs, and lumbar spine injuries, as well as head injuries with a brain bleed. The contact’s father was transported to the hospital by ambulance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a police tow yard and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

NHTSA ODI #11443128

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceCrash

We bought the car in July and owned it 70 days and 1,530 miles. The Automatic Emergency Breaking engaged several times without any reason. Sometimes at lower speeds <40 and sometimes on the freeway >60. The last time was at 20 mph in a school zone and we were rear ended because of the unexpected stop. We had several near misses …

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We bought the car in July and owned it 70 days and 1,530 miles. The Automatic Emergency Breaking engaged several times without any reason. Sometimes at lower speeds <40 and sometimes on the freeway >60. The last time was at 20 mph in a school zone and we were rear ended because of the unexpected stop. We had several near misses on the freeway, but the cars behind us managed to avoid us. The car has severe damage to the bumper, tailgate and Blind Spot warning, parking collision warning and rear cross traffic warning because of the accident and the car has been in the body shop awaiting parts/repair for the nearly entire month of September. No one was hurt and we didn't have the car long enough to take it back to the dealer to have the brake system checked. The accident would not have happened if the Automatic Emergency Braking had worked properly.

NHTSA ODI #11435237

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2021
Unknown Or Other

Having acceleration problems. 1. While driving in normal mode, when accelerating from 55 to pass cars on the highway, the tach moves to higher levels but the car doesn't accelerate. I need to take my foot off the Gas Pedal and wait then try to accelerate again. 2. When a stop light, at a full stop (or stop sign) - the car buc…

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Having acceleration problems. 1. While driving in normal mode, when accelerating from 55 to pass cars on the highway, the tach moves to higher levels but the car doesn't accelerate. I need to take my foot off the Gas Pedal and wait then try to accelerate again. 2. When a stop light, at a full stop (or stop sign) - the car bucks before accelerating. 3. when I start my car from a cold start and in idle mode - still in park - the tach hops for 30 seconds before settling. All these issues do not happen all the time. Hard to replicate.

NHTSA ODI #11434388

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2021
Unknown Or OtherInjury

I'm trying to find out when my 2021 KONA SEl PLUS was built and where ? When did the maker of the oil rings notify Hyundai of the defect to the rings why was Hyundai able to sell of these Kona's with the 2.0 engines from dealers lots after they knew there was a problem with the engines. My Kona was sold to me on 25 Feb. …

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I'm trying to find out when my 2021 KONA SEl PLUS was built and where ? When did the maker of the oil rings notify Hyundai of the defect to the rings why was Hyundai able to sell of these Kona's with the 2.0 engines from dealers lots after they knew there was a problem with the engines. My Kona was sold to me on 25 Feb. 2021 they had to know of the problem by than. I was so angry and upset with my dealer when I check with them about the recall and THEY TOLD ME to DRIVE IT TILL IT BLEW UP OR CATCHES FIRE and have it Towed IN. I sold it back to them and loss 3,000 dollars rather than drive it another mile. Please email me @ [XXX] I'm a 75 year old US navy Combat veteran thats hard of hearing with PTSD under Doctors care because of the problems with my dealer and the KONA with the bad engine PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11432560

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2021
Engine

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. …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11431980

Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2021
Unknown Or Other

with the recall in effect on 7 July,2021 and nothing being done to correct the problem not even the software up date installed and the dealer not being able to tell me when any thing ging on to correct the problem I could no longer drive this 2021 KONA SEL with the 2.0 engine as I'm 75 years old and my wife is 74 both of us have…

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with the recall in effect on 7 July,2021 and nothing being done to correct the problem not even the software up date installed and the dealer not being able to tell me when any thing ging on to correct the problem I could no longer drive this 2021 KONA SEL with the 2.0 engine as I'm 75 years old and my wife is 74 both of us have a very hard time getting in and out of the KONA . I took it back to my dealer and dumped if off and told them that I couldn't drive this car and in danger my wife and 4 grand babys. I was in a really bad mental state and end ed up taking a lower grade Kona and losing $$$.

NHTSA ODI #11431690

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2021
Engine

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 se…

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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 $3,500.00 rebate off the sticker price of $27,000.00 it made me think they we're dumping the KONA"S ASAP thanks [XXX] @ [XXX]

NHTSA ODI #11430886

Official recalls

1

21V301000 · Engine

Apr 28, 2021

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.