2020 Hyundai Kona problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (90) · Power Train (16) · Vehicle Speed Control (7)
🧭 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
48 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
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.
Equipment:other:labels 2020-01-17 · campaign 20V022000 · 477 vehicles
Defect: 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."
Risk: An incorrect GAWR could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (85)
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.
Electrical System 2026-10-27 · 26-GI-003H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in the 2026 2nd navigation map and software update. the changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system. refer to the 2026 2nd navigation map and software update key improv
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 85 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-22 · Engine“my 2020 kona 2.ol failed an oil test losing 2.5 quarts in 960 miles, stalled on the highway, and blows oil out the tailpipe. hyundai (case #43141313) is denying repair coverage because my vin was excluded from recall 21v301000. this recall needs to be expanded to include my vin.…”
2026-10-13 · Engine · 53,976 mi“the contact owns a 2020 hyundai kona. the contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle hesitated, and there was white smoke coming from the exhaust. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the contact was advised to take the vehicle to a dealer. the dealer was made aware of the fa…”
2026-09-29 · Engine“component that failed: the engine short block piston rings (related to nhtsa recall 203) failed, causing severe cylinder wall scoring. the vehicle is currently located at an authorized hyundai dealership and is available for manufacturer or nhtsa inspection. safety risk; the defective piston rings caused severe internal oil consumption, resulting…”
2026-09-27 · Engine“i was fortunate to check my daughter's oil and noticed that it was almost empty. i alerted the dealer because i recently got an oil change and thought there was a leak, but no oil was on the driveway. the dealer performed an oil consumption test. they said it was 1 quart per 1,000 miles and this is acceptable. there are other models that are on the…”
2026-09-09 · Engine“the contact owns a 2020 hyundai kona. the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 21v301000 (engine); however, the dealer was unable to perform the recall repair because the vehicle had not experienced a failure associated with the recall and there were no fault codes displayed or retrieved associated with the re…”
2026-08-31 · Engine · 72,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 hyundai kona. the contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 21v301000 (engine); however, the recall repair failed to prevent the failure from occurring. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to restart using the ignition key. the vehi…”
2026-08-27 · Power Train“leaking oil...burns exceptionally fast even with dealership services. pistons not sealed, melts new spark plugs, misfire on cylinder 3…”
2026-08-25 · Engine“my 2020 hyundai kona experienced an engine-related malfunction. an authorized hyundai dealer inspected the vehicle, confirmed diagnostic code p1327, and determined that the complete engine required replacement. hyundai authorized the replacement, and the vehicle remained out of service for approximately two weeks. the engine defect created a safet…”
2026-08-08 · Engine“i received the recall, brought the kona in had the software download. now the engine code indicates engine issues with the safety code. hyundai customer service representatives stars because the issue wasn't found and the software download completed this doesn't fall under the recall. i do have an appointment to bring the kona into the dealership b…”
2026-08-04 · Suspension“i am filing a safety complaint against scott stark’s south point hyundai for selling me a vehicle with an active open safety recall, a blown transmission, an a/c failure, and a dry-rotted tire. before returning the car for service under a promised 1,000-mile warranty, my sister, who has worked for corporate hyundai for 15 years, helped me conduct a…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.