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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 →

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.

8 crash reports3 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

158 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2021
Engine

ON 2/22/21 MY VEHICLE SHUT DOWN DUE TO NEEDING MY OIL PUMP REPLACED. ABOUT A MONTH LATER MY KONA STARTED MAKING NOISES. IT SOUNDED LIKE A DIESEL TRUCK. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NOW THEY HAVE TOLD ME MY ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. DUE TO THE ENGINES BEING ON BACKORDER I WILL NOT GETTING MY VEHICLE BACK ANYTIME SOON.

NHTSA ODI #11406862

5,000 miles · Mar 30, 2021
Electrical System

GOT A NOTICE ABOUT ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM TO TAKE CAR TO DEALERSHIP. PREVIOUS WE WERE HAVING POOR GAS MILEAGE. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP IT HAD TO BREAK IN. WE PURCHASED IT AT THE END OF MAY. FIRST NOTICE CAME IN EARLY MARCH AND CALLED DEALER FOR APPT. WAS TOLD TO WAIT AS MILEAGE WAS NOT YET 6,000 MILES, TOO EARLY FOR SERVICE. LATE …

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GOT A NOTICE ABOUT ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM TO TAKE CAR TO DEALERSHIP. PREVIOUS WE WERE HAVING POOR GAS MILEAGE. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP IT HAD TO BREAK IN. WE PURCHASED IT AT THE END OF MAY. FIRST NOTICE CAME IN EARLY MARCH AND CALLED DEALER FOR APPT. WAS TOLD TO WAIT AS MILEAGE WAS NOT YET 6,000 MILES, TOO EARLY FOR SERVICE. LATE MARCH BLUE LINK AGAIN NOTIFIED ME ABOUT THIS DTC PROBLEM. THEN HAD ENGINE LIGHT COME ON PLUS IT STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING. CALLED SERVICE DEPT AGAIN AND WAS TOLD APRIL 9TH WAS EARLIEST APPT. ON MARCH 29TH WAS ON RTE 495 AND CAR STALLED AGAIN. MARCH 30 TH I CALLED AND SPOKE TO SERVICE MANAGER. HE TOLD ME TO DROP OFF CAR FOR A WEEK AND THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT. I WAS TO RENT A CAR FROM HERTZ AND IF THEY FELT IT WAS NECESSARY THEY WOULD REIMBURSE ME. I CALLED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY SAID I SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT WHICH I DID. IT IS CASE NUMBER 18115897. WE NOW ARE HAVING IT CHECKED OUT AT ANOTHER HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. FEEL IT IS NOT HANDLED PROPERLY FOR THE PROBLEM OF STALLING WHICH COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. AT THIS TIME YOU LOSE CONTROL OF CAR DUE TO LACK OF POWER.

NHTSA ODI #11405511

7,200 miles · Mar 29, 2021
Forward Collision Avoidance

FRONT-COLLISION WARNING LIGHT KICKS ON WHILE GOING 45-50MPH. NO OBSTRUCTIONS. BRAKES ENGAGE, STUCK IN 4TH GEAR. MUST PULL OVER AND RESTART CAR TO RESET. OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY, BUT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST WEEKLY FOR THE LAST 6 WEEKS. IN AND OUT OF DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. BRAND NEW VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11405331

29,000 miles · Mar 9, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidancePower Train

WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, A MESSAGE "COLLISION DETECTION SYSTEM FAILURE" FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND THE BRAKES SLAMMED ON FULL, FOLLOWED BY THE TRANSMISSION STUCK IN 4TH GEAR. I HAD TO LEAVE THE HIGHWAY, AND POWER OFF THE ENGINE - EFFECTIVELY REBOOTING THE CAR. I CONTINUED ON TO WORK BUT I SHUT OFF THE COLLISION DETECTION …

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WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, A MESSAGE "COLLISION DETECTION SYSTEM FAILURE" FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND THE BRAKES SLAMMED ON FULL, FOLLOWED BY THE TRANSMISSION STUCK IN 4TH GEAR. I HAD TO LEAVE THE HIGHWAY, AND POWER OFF THE ENGINE - EFFECTIVELY REBOOTING THE CAR. I CONTINUED ON TO WORK BUT I SHUT OFF THE COLLISION DETECTION SYSTEM, WHICH HAS TO BE SET AT EACH POWER CYCLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY CAR 3 TIMES, TWICE ON THE HIGHWAY. DEALER SERVICE DOWNLOADED LOGS WITH NO INDICATION OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11400028

7,000 miles · Feb 7, 2021
EngineUnknown Or Other

MY 6 MONTH OLD, HYUNDAI 2020 KONA THAT I BOUGHT IN JULY OF 2020 WITH ONLY 7000 MILES ON IT HAD ITS ENGINE FAIL AS I WAS DRIVING MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO A MECHANIC. NO INDICATION LIGHTS CAME ON TELLING ME THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CAR IS NOW AT HYUNDAI DEALERSH…

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MY 6 MONTH OLD, HYUNDAI 2020 KONA THAT I BOUGHT IN JULY OF 2020 WITH ONLY 7000 MILES ON IT HAD ITS ENGINE FAIL AS I WAS DRIVING MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO A MECHANIC. NO INDICATION LIGHTS CAME ON TELLING ME THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CAR IS NOW AT HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT MY NEW CAR NEEDS A NEW ENGINE AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT STARTED IT OR IF REPLACING THE ENGINE WILL FIX IT. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY, WHILE I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND AGAIN PULLING INTO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO MAKE THIS RIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #11395078

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2020
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT'S CLIENT OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI KONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLIENT WAS GONG THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND ANOTHER DRIVER RAN A RED LIGHT AND BROADSIDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. BOTH THE CLIENT AND HER PASSENGER WERE INJURED AND HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE DRIVER HAD NECK AND BACK PAINS AND HER RIGHT…

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TL* THE CONTACT'S CLIENT OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI KONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLIENT WAS GONG THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND ANOTHER DRIVER RAN A RED LIGHT AND BROADSIDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. BOTH THE CLIENT AND HER PASSENGER WERE INJURED AND HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE DRIVER HAD NECK AND BACK PAINS AND HER RIGHT HAND HAD A BUMP. THE PASSENGER HAD HEAD AND NECK INJURIES AND HAD A BRAIN BLEED ISSUE AND HIP INJURIES. THE PASSENGER ALSO HAD A KNOT ON THE SIDE OF HER HEAD. THE OTHER DRIVER HAD A SMALL CUT ON HIS ARM AND DID NOT HAVE TO BE TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE DRIVER;'S SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY ON CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS BROADSIDE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE THEN SPUN AROUND AND HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE CLIENT 'S VEHICLE WAS TOTALED WITH DAMAGE ON THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE ENTIRE TRUNK WAS CRUSHED. THE BACK CORNER ON THE PASSENGER;S SIDE WAS DAMAGED AS WELL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FORM THE CRASH SCENE.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.*DT

NHTSA ODI #11382989

1,000 miles · Dec 7, 2020
EngineService Brakes

WHILE BRAKING FORWARD OR BACKING UP THEIR IS A CONTINUOUS SCRAPED NOISE AND IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT RAIN ,DRY ,HOT OR COLD WEATHER.IT MY NOISE WHILE BRAKING ALL THE TIME. IT STARTED AT 1,000 MILES AND NOW IT HAS 8,000 MILES.BROUGHT IT IN FEBRUARY 2020.TEST DRIVE ONE 6,000 AND NOISE WAS WORST.THEY SAID ALL OF THEM MAKE SAME NOISE…

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WHILE BRAKING FORWARD OR BACKING UP THEIR IS A CONTINUOUS SCRAPED NOISE AND IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT RAIN ,DRY ,HOT OR COLD WEATHER.IT MY NOISE WHILE BRAKING ALL THE TIME. IT STARTED AT 1,000 MILES AND NOW IT HAS 8,000 MILES.BROUGHT IT IN FEBRUARY 2020.TEST DRIVE ONE 6,000 AND NOISE WAS WORST.THEY SAID ALL OF THEM MAKE SAME NOISE.HELP

NHTSA ODI #11378381

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2020
Engine

DEALERSHIP HAS HAD MY 2020 KONA SINCE NOVEMBER 12, 2020..SECOND TIME IN FOR SERVICE ON VEHICLE SAME ISSUE, FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD LOUD TICKING NOISE COMING FROM MOTOR WAS NORMAL. BROUGHT BACK AGAIN SECOND TIME AS NOISE WAS GETTING LOUDER, EVEN SENT THEM NOISE VIDEOS OF SOUND, THEY COULD NOT LOCATE AN ISSUE AT FIRST HAD HYUNDAI TE…

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DEALERSHIP HAS HAD MY 2020 KONA SINCE NOVEMBER 12, 2020..SECOND TIME IN FOR SERVICE ON VEHICLE SAME ISSUE, FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD LOUD TICKING NOISE COMING FROM MOTOR WAS NORMAL. BROUGHT BACK AGAIN SECOND TIME AS NOISE WAS GETTING LOUDER, EVEN SENT THEM NOISE VIDEOS OF SOUND, THEY COULD NOT LOCATE AN ISSUE AT FIRST HAD HYUNDAI TECH ASSISTING THEM. FINALLY GOT A RESPONSE FROM THE SERVICE REP TOM WEEK LATER (LAST TIME ANY COMMUNICATION) AT DEALERSHIP SAID THERE IS DEFINITELY ISSUE WITH MOTOR AND NOW HYUNDAI MOTOR CORPORATION AS WELL AS TECH AND DEALERSHIP ARE INVOLVED MAY REPLACE MOTOR. I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING IN 2 WEEKS, LEFT VOICEMAIL FOR SERVICE SHOP MANAGER ON 11/23/2020, I NEVER RECEIVED CALL BACK. DROVE PAST DEALERSHIP TODAY 12/4/2020 AND CAR WAS IN PARKING LOT, I DRIVE PAST NEARLY 3 TIMES A WEEK THIS IS FIRST TIME I HAVE SEEN IT OUTSIDE SINCE DROPPING VEHICLE OFF. THIS IS MY SECOND REPORT ON THIS SITE. TICKING ENGINE NOISE NEVER STOPS, DRIVING, PARK, SITTING IDLE IN DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11377956

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2020
Air BagsCrashInjury

2020 HYUNDAI KONA. CONSUMER WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT WHERE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED I AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER WAS SEVERELY INJURED. *JS*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11376613

35 miles · Nov 18, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine

BOUGHT NEW CAR JULY 2020, WAS GOOD FOR A LITTLE WHILE THEN STARTED TO HAVE LOUD TICKING NOISE UNDER HOOD. BROUGHT CAR IN FOR SERVICE AT 3100 (APPROX) MILES HAD A FEW ISSUES AT THIS SERVICE, MAIN WAS NOISE. WAS TOLD MECHANIC LOOKED UNDER HEARD NOISE (AS DID FRONT DESK REP) AND MECHANIC SAID IT WAS NORMAL ON THIS CAR. I TOOK CAR B…

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BOUGHT NEW CAR JULY 2020, WAS GOOD FOR A LITTLE WHILE THEN STARTED TO HAVE LOUD TICKING NOISE UNDER HOOD. BROUGHT CAR IN FOR SERVICE AT 3100 (APPROX) MILES HAD A FEW ISSUES AT THIS SERVICE, MAIN WAS NOISE. WAS TOLD MECHANIC LOOKED UNDER HEARD NOISE (AS DID FRONT DESK REP) AND MECHANIC SAID IT WAS NORMAL ON THIS CAR. I TOOK CAR BACK AGAIN FOR SAME ISSUES APPROX 2 WEEKS LATER (THEY HEAR NOISE DONT KNOW WHERE ITS COMING FROM I WAS TOLD, THEY HAVE TECH ADVICE LOOKING INTO IT NOW). THEY NOW HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR 6 DAYS. 6TH DAY I GET CALL TELLING ME THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MOTOR, EVERYONE IS INVOLVED NOW, HYUNDAI MOTOR CORP, TECHNICAL SERVICE AND DEALERSHIP, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF ITS JUST A REPLACEMENT PART OR NEEDS WHOLE NEW MOTOR. REP SAID THEY WERE GOING TO BE RUNNING 3 MORE TESTS AND WOULD LET ME KNOW WEDNESDAY. NOISE IS CONSTANT WHILE IN PARK OR DRIVE DOES NOT MATTER.

NHTSA ODI #11375178

Official recalls

2

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.

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

2

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.

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.