Hyundai Kona engine problems, 2018–2027
448 of the 958 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Kona 2018–2027 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2019 (147), 2020 (112), 2021 (84). Filed under the same heading across these years: 3 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recall campaigns, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Hyundai Kona engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 1 | 11% | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | 3 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 10 | 15% | — | 5 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2023 | 11 | 15% | — | 9 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 38 | 30% | — | 17 TSBs · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2021 in depth | 84 | 59% | 36k | 15 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2020 in depth | 112 | 60% | 17k | 15 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2019 in depth | 147 | 60% | 70k | 19 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2018 | 45 | 60% | — | 12 TSBs · 1 investigation | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2020: 8 · 2021: 99 · 2022: 45 · 2023: 44 · 2024: 65 · 2025: 88 · 2026: 99
Across the model years, half of the 125 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 15,000 and 90,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The recall for my 2019 Hyundai Kona was issued 28 Apr 2021. It is now the middle of July 2021. How long should Hyundai owners need to wait for a remedy? I feel unsafe even driving this vehicle knowing it could possibly blow up. As of 7/12/2021, no remedy is listed. I have called my local dealer and they say the same, no remedy yet
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, the vehicle loss motive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated.
My wife was pulling into a parking place at Home Depot when the car suddenly accelerated, jumped the curb & hit a tree on the sidewalk. It did significant damage to the front bumper of the car but the airbags did not deploy & my wife was not hurt. I am guessing that it will be several thousand dollars to repair
Our car stalled out multiple times within a 5 min increment. We took it to the shop and it has been there for over 30 days. We have no case manager from Hyundai and no estimated time for a fix. We're getting charged out of pocket for a rental that is going on for 30+ days and Hyundai will not: 1.
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.
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 24V308000 HighMay 1, 2024 · 13,511 vehicles
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Elantra, Venue, and Kona vehicles. An electrical short circuit may occur in the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve assembly, which can result in a loss of drive power.
- 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.
NHTSA investigation
- DP22003 Loss of Motive Poweropened Sep 12, 2022 · closed Dec 12, 2023
- 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 i…
3 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Sep 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.
- Apr 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.
- Dec 18, 2025
- Some Elantra (CN7, CN7A), Kona (OS, SX2), and Sonata Hybrid (DN8 HEV) vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines may illuminate a warning lamp for DTC P218100 (Cooling System Performance) related to the Integrated Thermal-Management Module (ITM). Follow the service procedure in this bulletin to install a spring onto the thermostat within the ITM, in order to prevent premature opening, and perform an ECU
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Hyundai Kona
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Hyundai Kona problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Hyundai Kona years have the most engine complaints?
2019, 147; 2020, 112; 2021, 84. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2020 (60%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Hyundai Kona?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 24V308000 (2024), 21V301000 (2021). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the Hyundai Kona?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 40,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 15,000 and 90,000. 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.