2019 Hyundai Kona

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine was shutting down while on the way to work, with a knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (ENGINE); however, the dealer refused to perform the recall repair, because there were other failures with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,902.

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, with a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle shutoff while idling. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Later, while idling at a stoplight, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was eventually towed to the local dealer, who confirmed that the connecting rods had failed and punctured a hole in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (ENGINE). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 94,000.

I was traveling on the interstate when my car began to slow down and the RPMs kept going up. I pulled over on the side of the highway and turned the motor off. I waited 10 minutes and started the car again thinking it was just a misfire. The motor began making weird noises and shaking. My engine like came on the dashboard display reported major malfunction get help. I was told by my mechanic that I was lucky the car did not catch on fire. He determined that pistons 1 and 3 were misfiring. He said it was being flooded with fuel. I have complained about the excessive burning of oil and that there must be an issue. Several have been recalled but not specific car.

Vehicle Safety Complaint Narrative On Saturday, December 6, 2025, I brought my 2019 Hyundai Kona to Millennium Hyundai in Hempstead, New York, the dealership where the vehicle was purchased, for evaluation due to engine safety concerns. While driving the vehicle, we heard a knocking sound coming from the engine. One week earlier, on November 29, 2025, we brought the vehicle to our local mechanic after noticing the noise. The mechanic advised that the engine oil level was low and refilled the oil. Despite this, the knocking sound continued. Due to ongoing concerns about potential engine failure and because the vehicle is still under warranty, we scheduled an appointment with Millennium Hyundai for further diagnosis. The knocking noise raised serious safety concerns. On December 6th, we contacted the service manager, who advised us that the pistons were bad and they would need to replace the engine. On Monday, December 8th, we called the dealer and they then told us, that before any work could be done, that we would have to do an oil change for $90, drive the car for 1,000 miles and come back for an oil consumption test for $600 before they could make the repairs under the warranty. We are submitting this complaint to report a potential safety defect related to engine performance and reliability in the 2019 Hyundai Kona, as unexpected engine failure could pose a significant safety risk and, their requirement that we have to drive an unsafe car for 1,000 miles could be dangerous to the driver, passengers, and others on the roadway.

I am reporting a recurring safety issue involving engine stalling in active traffic due to excessive oil loss and internal component failure. This has occurred three times within approximately 12,000 miles and has created dangerous conditions for my family, including my 2.5 year old child who rides in the vehicle. Summary of incidents: • May 15, 2025 – 61,736 miles: Vehicle stalled in traffic and lost acceleration. Dealership confirmed abnormal noise and low oil, but no oil consumption test was ordered. • Fall 2025 – 66,448 miles: Vehicle stalled and died on the highway. Diagnosis showed broken camshaft timing components. Service invoice states the engine oil system was too low and caused internal failures. Major timing components replaced. • October 30, 2025 – 69,175 miles: Vehicle stalled in traffic again. Oil was low after only 2,727 miles since previous repair. Dealer advised oil consumption test after another 1,000 miles, but I do not feel the vehicle is safe to drive due to repeated stalling and internal failures. At the most recent incident the dealership confirmed the oil level was again low, but did not identify the cause or perform consumption testing until after repeated failures. These repeated stall events are serious safety hazards and could result in a collision or injury. I have lost confidence in the safety of the vehicle. Based on consultation with an experienced engine mechanic, underlying internal damage from oil starvation is likely and may indicate piston ring or engine defect consistent with known Hyundai/Kia oil consumption issues. Hyundai has declined to provide a buyback or full repair solution and the vehicle continues to demonstrate dangerous conditions. We have purchased a full warranty for the engine but warranty company will not cover it as they are saying this is a pistons issue - wear and tear. I am requesting NHTSA investigation and assistance to ensure this defect is addressed before someone is injured.

I'm the owner of a 2019 Hyundai Kona (US spec) imported to Poland. The VIN is included in recall 21V-301 (fire risk). The engine showed symptoms consistent with this defect and failed at 44,000 miles. Photos confirm cylinder damage. Following Hyundai Motor America (HMA) instructions, I completed diagnostics at an authorized Hyundai service center in Poland. Results: error P0366, compression 2–3 bar. HMA refused to accept these documents, demanding a specific “Repair Order” format, which European dealers cannot issue. No real coordination with regional offices occurred, making compliance impossible. HMA then issued a warranty-related denial (not requested), citing salvage status, although it is irrelevant to the mandatory recall remedy. HMA also stated diagnostics must be done in the USA, which is impossible for a non-operational vehicle located in Poland. At the same time, Hyundai Motor Poland provided incorrect information (claiming two total-loss incidents instead of one) and advised dealers not to perform any work. As a result, Hyundai service centers in Poland refused further diagnostics and repairs, blocking access to the recall remedy. The manufacturer provided no feasible path to obtain the remedy and created barriers that made the recall effectively inaccessible. I also incurred unnecessary diagnostic costs. I request that NHTSA review HMA’s actions under campaign 21V-301 regarding my VIN, assess the creation of barriers preventing remedy access, evaluate Hyundai’s refusal to provide a feasible solution, and determine whether Hyundai fulfilled its obligations to ensure remedy accessibility for an owner located outside the USA. Additional evidence and a detailed timeline are attached. Details are provided in the attached file COMPLAINT.pdf.