2021 Hyundai Kona engine problems
84 of the 143 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Hyundai Kona name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). Filed under the same heading: 15 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the engine
Source: NHTSA complaint database0 of the 84 reports a crash · 2 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2021: 13 · 2022: 14 · 2023: 8 · 2024: 12 · 2025: 15 · 2026: 22
Half of the 23 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 21,000 and 85,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
143 complaints in all about the 2021 Hyundai Kona, 22 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Engine” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Hyundai Kona engine problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Fill coolant warning came on, we checked the coolant and the coolant level was good. I spoke to a Hyundai service center and the rep said that sometimes this happens with Hyundais and it may go off. Indeed it did but then Fill coolant warning came back and the coolant level was still good.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric. The contact stated that the battery had discharged. The contact stated that the 12-volt battery and “Bring in for Service, and key not detected messages were displayed. The contact stated that while his mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled on two occasions.
After charging the vehicle at home with level 2 charger to 100% it would not go into drive or reverse. It can go to neutral or Park only. The car is at the dealership and they told the battery must be replaced when one is available.
I brought the HYUNDAI KONA SEL from Bentley HYUNDAI of Huntsville, al on 25,FEB 2021 on 1 July Hyundai sent me a notice of the recall. after going on line to there web site I saw that the recall was posted 28, April 2021 why did it take Hyundai 2 months to let me know of the recall.
The manufacturer is taking 2 long to repair or replace the engine. They started the recall at end of April. In may my mycarfax told me about recall and the manufacture didn't send anything out in the mail about the recall till almost end of June. They are taking 2 long to fix this engine. I drive daily for my job.
What is on file about the engine
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 21V301000 CriticalApr 28, 2021 · 158,493 vehicles
- 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.
15 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- 9D1 OL Service campaignSep 22, 2026
- Hyundai has become aware that certain Kona vehicles equipped with 1.6T-GDI engines may not meet engine-out NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) and Particulate Matter (PM) emission standards.
- 26-EE-003H TSB Service bulletinApr 18, 2026
- Some vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an inspection on the starter magnetic switch for potential freezing and, if necessary, replace the starter magnetic switch (solenoid) assembly.
The 2 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2021 Hyundai Kona names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre engine problems common on the 2021 Hyundai Kona?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 84 owner complaints naming the engine on this model year (59% of everything owners filed about it), and 15 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the engine on the 2021 Hyundai Kona?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 21V301000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the 2021 Hyundai Kona?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 36,000 miles; half of them between 21,000 and 85,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.