Hyundai is not being proactive in addressing this recall. My car has less than 10,500 miles and is already losing oil. I am afraid to drive this vehicle! PLEASE HELP!
2020 Hyundai Kona
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Kona years
Owner complaints for the 2020 Hyundai Kona are substantially higher than the model-year median of 74.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model 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
47 reports with mileage · 111 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 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 20 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.
Engine complaints
105 reportsThe contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled on three separate occasions. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The tow …
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The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled on three separate occasions. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The tow truck driver had inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that there was no oil in the engine. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no remedy available. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,500.
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact called the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded …
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The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact called the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact continued to drive to the residence. The warning light remained illuminated, and the vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. the contact was informed that the oil level was very lo…
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The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact continued to drive to the residence. The warning light remained illuminated, and the vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. the contact was informed that the oil level was very low. The engine oil was topped off. The contact left the dealer and while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled several times with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the vehicle was slow to start. The check engine warning light …
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The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the vehicle was slow to start. The check engine warning light had illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. the contact was informed that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer Priority Hyundai (1499 S Military Hwy, Chesapeake, VA 23320, (757) 420-5450) where the cause of the failure was undetermined. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond as designed. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the local dea…
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The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond as designed. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who inspected the vehicle and performed an oil change. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact then received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V301000 (Engine) was concerned that the failure listed in the recall was the cause of the failure his vehicle had experienced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 22,000.
Car is 1 years old, just over 4600 miles on it. . Over the past month, vehicle stalled 4 times, twice while slowing to a stop during traffic on the freeway, on different days. Thankfully the car started back up again, as I was In the middle lanes both times. Then stalled again once more after each freeway stall, also coming to…
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Car is 1 years old, just over 4600 miles on it. . Over the past month, vehicle stalled 4 times, twice while slowing to a stop during traffic on the freeway, on different days. Thankfully the car started back up again, as I was In the middle lanes both times. Then stalled again once more after each freeway stall, also coming to a stop. Vehicle also seems to be using a lot of engine oil. Started getting dashboard messages needing service. Then a few days after the car stalled for the fourth time, my engine light came on. So I had my car towed to the dealership for service on 6/24/2021. I really feel this is a safety concern, I don't know what I would have done if the car did not restart while I was on the freeway. I could have had my 4 year old niece with me. Only warning light, was the engine light and dashboard said I needed service. Car is currently still in the shop, but they called me today and said the diagnostic shows a CVT (something) insulator failed and they have ordered the part.
There has been no determination when the recall will be implemented. My car is already down over a quart of oil. There are less than 11,000 miles on the vehicle. I am afraid to drive the car!
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the is…
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The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle started to lag while depressing the accelerator pedal with several unknown warning ligh…
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The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle started to lag while depressing the accelerator pedal with several unknown warning lights illuminated. Upon restart of the vehicle, the contact drove slowly back to her home where several warning lights illuminated again on the instrument. The vehicle was driven to a local dealer where it remained since the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Official recalls
221V301000 · 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.
20V022000 · Equipment:other:labels
Jan 17, 2020
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Kona vehicles. The certification label may indicate incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 567, "Certification" and 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An incorrect GAWR could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install new label stickers displaying the correct GAWR over the affected areas of the certification label, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 187.
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
2DP22005 · 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.
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.
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