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2018 Hyundai Kona

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 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

24 reports with mileage · 50 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 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports10 fire reports8 injury reports

What owners actually said

74 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2026
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

I purchased a 2018 Hyundai Kona, and it has had one major issue after another. It burns an excessive amount of oil, the engine misfires, and now the turbocharger is failing. I’ve already spent approximately $2,300 repairing the air conditioner and engine, and I can’t afford thousands more in repairs.

NHTSA ODI #11751885

123,000 miles · Jul 13, 2026
Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, there was a loud clunking sound coming from the engine bay, followed by grinding gear sounds. The vehicle lost drive power, causing the driver to coast over to the side of the road, where the vehicle eventually stalled. The vehicle …

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The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, there was a loud clunking sound coming from the engine bay, followed by grinding gear sounds. The vehicle lost drive power, causing the driver to coast over to the side of the road, where the vehicle eventually stalled. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the timing belt had failed, and the cam gear rod had sheared off inside the exhaust camshaft, which caused the timing belt to jump and the cam chain tensioner to fracture. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

NHTSA ODI #11750016

98,000 miles · May 29, 2026
Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving it began to smoke, a noise was hear, put in neutral to coast down a hill and had to pull the parking break to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with defective piston oil rings, and the engine was rebuilt. The…

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The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving it began to smoke, a noise was hear, put in neutral to coast down a hill and had to pull the parking break to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with defective piston oil rings, and the engine was rebuilt. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was.98,000.

NHTSA ODI #11740814

90,000 miles · May 6, 2026
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Koa. The contact stated that while the daughter was driving the vehicle began to sputter and jerk before stalling. During the failure the oil warning light flashed off and on. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine had failed due to carbon buildup. The contact was …

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The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Koa. The contact stated that while the daughter was driving the vehicle began to sputter and jerk before stalling. During the failure the oil warning light flashed off and on. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine had failed due to carbon buildup. The contact was advised that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000(ENGINE) The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #11736103

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2026
EnginePower Train

The vehicle suddenly stalled while driving on the highway at normal speed without warning. The engine lost power completely, creating a dangerous situation and a risk of collision with surrounding traffic. The vehicle had to be towed to a repair shop, where the issue was diagnosed as engine failure. There were no warning lights…

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The vehicle suddenly stalled while driving on the highway at normal speed without warning. The engine lost power completely, creating a dangerous situation and a risk of collision with surrounding traffic. The vehicle had to be towed to a repair shop, where the issue was diagnosed as engine failure. There were no warning lights or prior symptoms before the incident. This appears to be a serious safety-related defect. I am aware that similar engine issues have been reported in Hyundai vehicles.

NHTSA ODI #11735187

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2026
Engine

The check engine light came on while driving. Vehicle was assessed by mechanic with strange diagnostic code; full oil and filter change done. Check engine light still on and engine stalled while driving on freeway. Took to dealer and was advised the car requires CVVTS (which is essentially a new engine), serpentine belt and s…

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The check engine light came on while driving. Vehicle was assessed by mechanic with strange diagnostic code; full oil and filter change done. Check engine light still on and engine stalled while driving on freeway. Took to dealer and was advised the car requires CVVTS (which is essentially a new engine), serpentine belt and spark plugs (approx $3600). There is a known engine defect with the 2018 Hyundai but they refuse to do as a recall and refuse discounted repair on a vehicle that 8 years old with 92,000 miles. This vehicle is owned by my young adult child and I believe it is undriveable since stalling at full speed is quite dangerous.

NHTSA ODI #11731257

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2026
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

The Kona barely wants to accelerate and stalls out while driving. Even though I recently got a oil change there’s oil consumption and the oil is black as if I never got a oil change. I took it to a hyundai dealer ship, i told them what was wrong they said it’s the timing belt. When that’s not the issue. I recently took it to a …

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The Kona barely wants to accelerate and stalls out while driving. Even though I recently got a oil change there’s oil consumption and the oil is black as if I never got a oil change. I took it to a hyundai dealer ship, i told them what was wrong they said it’s the timing belt. When that’s not the issue. I recently took it to a mechanic to get a third opinion and to see and fix what is wrong. He declined fixing it saying there’s more to it that is wrong and looks like there’s an engine defect and even complained that the oil was so black. I told him that doesn’t make sense because I’ve been getting my oil consistently. He couldn’t fix it. So now I’m stuck with a vehicle that barely drives and stalls out while I’m on the road and it keeps burning more oil. No one knows what is wrong with it.

NHTSA ODI #11730285

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2026
Engine And Engine Cooling

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI #11728511

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2026
EngineUnknown Or Other

The car was burning through oil every 14 -21days. Car has been jerking and taking a while to accelerate. Went to machine to see what’s going he suggested I go to the dealership because there’s no leaks visible. But added more oil so I wouldn’t go without oil there was nothing available for me to come in right away and before my …

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The car was burning through oil every 14 -21days. Car has been jerking and taking a while to accelerate. Went to machine to see what’s going he suggested I go to the dealership because there’s no leaks visible. But added more oil so I wouldn’t go without oil there was nothing available for me to come in right away and before my appointment my car started to speed up out of nowhere then completely slowed down then jerked until I could find a safe space to pull over. Check engine came on and the code was reading a misfire. Got a tune up still reading as a misfire now just stuck at the dealership playing guessing games with what’s wrong with the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11718344

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2026
EnginePower Train

My vehicle started was burning oil having to add oil frequently. Then a knocking noise started coming from the engine (2.0 L MPI NU).It began to have trouble starting and was not accelerating properly and the check engine light came on . Within two days I brought my car to my mechanic and he stated that there was no sign of an …

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My vehicle started was burning oil having to add oil frequently. Then a knocking noise started coming from the engine (2.0 L MPI NU).It began to have trouble starting and was not accelerating properly and the check engine light came on . Within two days I brought my car to my mechanic and he stated that there was no sign of an oil leak and felt it was a deeper problem. I brought it to a Hyundai dealership and they stated that the engine needed to be replaced/rebuilt. I feel that the lack of acceleration could have been a safety issue on the highway as it could have prevented me from passing in a timely fashion or just lose all power in traffic. There is an active recall for this type of engine starting with model year 2019.

NHTSA ODI #11712531

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.