← New search

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.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Kona years →

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 6, 2024
Engine

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 du…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #11570221

23,000 miles · Jan 18, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineFire

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. …

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #11566268

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2024
Forward Collision AvoidancePower Train

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, th…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #11565025

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2023
Engine

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 th…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #11559743

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2023
EngineSteering

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…

Read full complaint

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??

NHTSA ODI #11546966

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2023
Electrical SystemPower Train

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 ga…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #11540924

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2023
Power Train

* 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 h…

Read full complaint

* 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.

NHTSA ODI #11539241

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2023
Engine

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 …

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #11536246

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2023
Electrical SystemLane Departure

the bcw tends to go on every time the vehicle is driven on a rural two way road to town, approx. less than 20 miles. been to dealership for the problem with the bcw ,paid for diagnostic and scanned for codes ,none apparent.the dealership did minimal calibration without realalinig the sensor. the vehicle will automatically downsh…

Read full complaint

the bcw tends to go on every time the vehicle is driven on a rural two way road to town, approx. less than 20 miles. been to dealership for the problem with the bcw ,paid for diagnostic and scanned for codes ,none apparent.the dealership did minimal calibration without realalinig the sensor. the vehicle will automatically downshift causing the vehicle lurch which is totally unsafe.this began at 6000 miles.no obstructions to sensors as per dealer inspection.a brand new suv awd never been offroad ,or any collision whatsoever.reading forums leads me to believe it occures quite often to this particular vehicle.i called the local global representative and have a case number of 21601680, i thank you for your prompt response to this issue.

NHTSA ODI #11527785

Mileage unknown · May 17, 2023
Power Train

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…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #11522420

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.