2019 Hyundai Kona problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (104) · Power Train (18) · Vehicle Speed Control (9)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Kona model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
59 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Engine 2021-04-28 · campaign 21V301000 · 158,493 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (94)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Back Over Prevention: Warnings 2026-10-15 · 26-GI-004H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (pdw) sensor(s) that may trigger various dtcs and display warning messages on the instrument cluster, resulting in the pdw sensor(s) failing to detect nearby objects or triggering multiple false alarms. this condition may be a res
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Engine 2026-04-18 · 26-EE-003H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DL · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn). these inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehi
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DCS · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn), that have been identified in u.s. vehicles following prior
Showing the 6 most recent of 94 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-24 · Unknown Or Other“i have a 2019 kona that has an issue with excessive oil consumption. i know that hyundai issued a recall for this problem in 2019 konas, but they claim my car isn’t included in that recall, and they refuse to help me. it feels like a scam on hyundai’s part. my plate is: [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), …”
2026-10-23 · Engine“my vehicle was brought into kerry hyundai of alexandria in december 2025 and is still there. it was brought in for warranty work. the original complaint was oil consumption. it is supposedly getting a replacement engine but it has been 10 months of them giving me the run around. i feel this timeline is unreasonable. …”
2026-10-20 · Power Train“my 2019 hyundai kona (vin: [xxx]) experiences violent shaking and complete engine stalling in active traffic when braking, creating an immediate safety hazard on public roads. this directly mirrors the failure mechanics of safety recall 203 ([xxx]). upon inspection, physical evidence of massive silver aluminum metal flakes was discovered clogging t…”
2026-10-16 · Engine“while driving my 2019 hyundai kona with the 2.0l engine, the engine suddenly began making a loud knocking sound. immediately after exiting the highway onto a main street, the vehicle stalled in active traffic, causing a sudden loss of motive power and creating a significant safety hazard. the first hyundai dealership documented an engine knock and…”
2026-10-13 · Vehicle Speed Control“large amounts of oil slipped past the damaged rings into the engine. oil could not stay no matter how many oil changes and proper maintenance. hard metal shards got loose into the engine causing the engine to blow. many codes came up in the diagnoses done by a hyundai dealership. this has been reported to be a common complaint and problem with this…”
2026-09-30 · Engine“on september 11, 2026, while driving my 2019 hyundai kona limited 1.6l turbo on the highway, the vehicle suffered a sudden and dangerous loss of propulsion. the engine began vibrating violently, lost power significantly, and a strong chemical burning smell entered the cabin. i was forced to pull over immediately in traffic to avoid a catastrophic f…”
2026-09-29 · Vehicle Speed Control · 90,000 mi“the contact owns a 2019 hyundai kona. the contact stated that prior to purchasing the vehicle, the contact was informed that the vehicle had been previously repaired under recall. the contact stated that while driving approximately 25 – 35 mph, and releasing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle independently accelerated. the contact stated that the d…”
2026-09-19 · Structure:body“ my blue hyundai kona ultimate paint is peeling from the roof. this can create a hazard if the paint chips in large pieces and flys obstructing visibility. the paint chipping is also close to the front windshield which can block the path of the wiper blades. hyundai has acknowledged that certain year vehicles have a manufactures default of delam…”
2026-09-16 · Engine“i took my vehicle to a dealership for a recall and they refused to honor it. they made excuses and performed an unrelated service.…”
2026-09-14 · Engine“vehicle starting using extreme amounts of oil, lose acceleration and stalling while driving and making klicking noises. all symptoms point to hyundai recall 203 (nhtsa campaign number 21v301000). dealer and manufacturer refuse to fix it, citing lack of extended warranty and high mileage, as well as insist of oil consumption test that would require…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.