89 complaints reported

2019 Hyundai Kona Engine

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
89
Crashes
2
Fires
3
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Apr 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle vibrated and lost motive power. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and the engine seized. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on another occasion, while his wife was driving 75 MPH, the vehicle vibrated, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 75 MPH, an abnormal sound was coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the dealer then deleted the diagnostic code. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2024
Feb 2025

While the engine was running on the highway or also at idle, it intermittently stalled out and all of the warning lights were displayed on the dash including a collision warning. You have to put the car in park and restart it even while on the highway causing a severe safety risk. It has been to Hyundai several times for diagnostic/repair and they have been unable to identify and correct the issue. Hyundai eventually replaced the computer for lack of any other option, but the issue persists. This week the check engine light was on permanently so I took it to Christian Bros for a diagnostic and they found several codes for crankshaft and camshaft issues and determined the engine is consuming oil. OIL CONSUMPTION is a known issue at Hyundai and the subject of recalls but my particular Kona VIN number is not identified as affected even though it absolutely is having the same exact issue as described in the other Kona's recalled. I am taking it back to Hyundai this week for another try at engine 100k warranty but I know they will reject my request. How do I get this issue covered under the existing OIL CONSUMPTION RECALL for my particular VIN being that I am a 2019 2.0L engine just like all the other 2019 Kona recalls? Why is my vin excluded? THis makes no sense.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2024
Feb 2025

Yes my 2019 kona started sounding funny was having loss of power took it to have codes read it comes up as code p0011 which is timing issues bank 1 the next day went to start it and it would not even start have to have it towed to shop to find out there was absolutely no engine compression and will need a new engine I have had this car less than a year and still owe a balance of 12,000 and now stuck with a payment and no vehicle to drive and will cost upwards of 7000.00 to fix further investigation found open recall for the engine not being properly heated rings on the motor but my vin does not show mine to be affected so they will not cover the costs of replacing but it is the same year make and model ect. as the recall

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Feb 2025
Jan 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated there were abnormal sounds coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact's daughter was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the crankshaft had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the crankshaft had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2024
Jan 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that the vehicle had failed to start after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the mechanic informed the contact that the engine oil was 4 quarts low; however, the contact stated that an oil change had recently been performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall, and the vehicle was not covered under an extended warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 137,578.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2025
Jan 2025

I'm the owner of a 2019 Hyundai Kona (US spec) imported to Poland. The VIN is included in recall 21V-301 (fire risk). The engine showed symptoms consistent with this defect and failed at 44,000 miles. Photos confirm cylinder damage. Following Hyundai Motor America (HMA) instructions, I completed diagnostics at an authorized Hyundai service center in Poland. Results: error P0366, compression 2–3 bar. HMA refused to accept these documents, demanding a specific “Repair Order” format, which European dealers cannot issue. No real coordination with regional offices occurred, making compliance impossible. HMA then issued a warranty-related denial (not requested), citing salvage status, although it is irrelevant to the mandatory recall remedy. HMA also stated diagnostics must be done in the USA, which is impossible for a non-operational vehicle located in Poland. At the same time, Hyundai Motor Poland provided incorrect information (claiming two total-loss incidents instead of one) and advised dealers not to perform any work. As a result, Hyundai service centers in Poland refused further diagnostics and repairs, blocking access to the recall remedy. The manufacturer provided no feasible path to obtain the remedy and created barriers that made the recall effectively inaccessible. I also incurred unnecessary diagnostic costs. I request that NHTSA review HMA’s actions under campaign 21V-301 regarding my VIN, assess the creation of barriers preventing remedy access, evaluate Hyundai’s refusal to provide a feasible solution, and determine whether Hyundai fulfilled its obligations to ensure remedy accessibility for an owner located outside the USA. Additional evidence and a detailed timeline are attached. Details are provided in the attached file COMPLAINT.pdf.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2025
Dec 2024

It seems to be an issue with the camshaft and/or timing. It has a permanent diagnostic trouble code for p0017 and p0014 (two issues that they have claimed to have fixed twice now by replacing my engine). Due to this issue, I was stranded on the side of a busy road for multiple hours at night way back in March. This issue has been repeatedly “fixed” but the code readers keep showing it and the check engine light has never turned off. Hyundai of Danbury has looked at it multiple times and has replaced the engine twice in an attempt to fix it. However, both times I got engines with the same issue. Both times I brought it to a Hyundai Dealership to be fixed. There was no warning when my car broke down the first time. It just stopped in the middle of a busy road. No noise or smell or smoke. Once I got it towed to Danbury Hyundai, they replaced the engine (March 3 - April 24) and it started up again but the check engine light was on. It has been replaced twice and both times the light was on. It was replaced a second time between July 3rd and October 20th. I only have one car and needed friends and family to bring me to and from work (1 hour away) every day while the dealership worked on my car. A camshaft or timing issue should not take 5 months to fix.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2024
Dec 2024

See attached document for complaint

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Dec 2023
Oct 2024

In line with NHTSA recall notice 21V301000, affecting 2019 Hyundai Kona's for piston oil ring defects, I believe the Date of Manufacture (DoM) range should be extended. Currently, the recall notice indicates vehicles manufactured between 11/2/2018 and 9/1/2020 are impacted, however my vehicle, with the indicated VIN, was manufactured 10/31/2018, two days before the indicated start date on this recall notice. My vehicle has been experiencing many of the same indicated symptoms of the faulty piston oil ring, such as abnormal knocking/rattling from the engine during acceleration, hesitation and engine dying randomly (while in motion), and significant oil consumption (half of the engine's capacity in just 2-3K miles. Given the symptom matches and the fact that my vehicle's DoM is within 2 days of the indicated recall start point, I believe it should be included in the above mentioned recall notice.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2024
Oct 2024

I was driving my car and then the engine light started blinking then my car made a funny noise I came home and put the scanner on it and code P1327 came up and freeze frame came up

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2024
Oct 2024

Throughout the last six months the car was stalling occasionally. The car would stall when accelerating after a stop. My local dealer replaced the starter coils and changed the oil. When the problem repeated, it was discovered the engine is burning oil. In fact approximately 6 weeks since the last oil change in November 2023, the engine needed another 3 quarts of oil. My local mechanic diagnosed the problem. He said the piston rings are inferior causing the engine to burn oil prematurely. So, I monitor the oil level weekly. I spoke to Hyundai America and they refuse to acknowledge the problem. The engine started stalling at approximately 80,000 to 90,000 miles ago. Both my wife and myself were almost rear-ended.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2023
Sep 2024

While driving the car, the engine stalls and I'm no longer able to accelerate, despite pressing the gas pedal. I'm able to turn and brake. When this happens, the check engine, oil, and battery lights come on. It is sometimes accompanied by a grinding/banging sound. In order to get my car running again, I have to park it somewhere safe, turn it off, and turn it back on. This is difficult to do on a highway or when surrounded by a lot of traffic. This started occurring in November 2022 and has happened many times since then.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Nov 2023
Aug 2024

My engine seems to have failed due to bad oil piston rings and Hyundai/ the dealership refused to look at it for that and denied my claim. Almost 3 weeks ago, my check engine light came on after (solid) after getting gas. It was running fine and I had an oil change appointment that Saturday so it should be good (I had a coupon expiring, so I was taking it in like 400 miles early for it's oil change). The car started losing a little bit power throughout the week- it didn't have the get up and go it usually does. On Saturday, first thing in the morning, on my way to my 8 am oil change, my car started a little rough (it had never done that before). I drive like 5 miles, then all of a sudden my car stutters, 2 blocks later dies, it restarted fine, but made a horrible noise. I drove it the block to the oil change place and my car was completely out of oil. No oil light ever came on and I have never been less than a quart (more than acceptable) at an oil change. There was no visible oil leak in my parking spot. It was towed to the dealership and the engine is blown. There has never been any visible oil leak and I have all records on carfax imputed by the mechanics.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2024
Aug 2024

My vehicle starting stalling when driving at low speeds. It goes completely idle, I have to put it in park and restart the car. This happens when I am turning, have to slow down for traffic, etc. No engine light came on when this first started happening a few months ago, but now an engine light has popped on. It is available for inspection.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2024
Jun 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle then stalled. The contact pulled over and waited approximately 20 minutes before restarting the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had occurred at various speeds. The contact stated that the check engine warning light only recently illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had to be taken for an oil change monthly. The contact stated that there was no indication of an oil leak on the driveway. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jun 2022
May 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH up an incline, the vehicle started losing motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the cylinder #3 spark plug. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who then determined that there was a misfire in cylinder #3. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2024
May 2024 Fire

The contact owned a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while stopped at an intersection, he observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment. The vehicle was steered into a parking lot where he opened the hood and he observed flames coming from the engine. A police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was taken to a salvage lot. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Dec 2024
Apr 2024

We were driving on the interstate when suddenly the check engine light began flashing and the engine began to lose power. We were able to coast to a safe location to pull off, but had it not been Christmas day and there was more traffic, the situation would have been much more dangerous. Once pulled over we shut off the engine. Upon trying to restart the vehicle it would not start up again. After having it towed to a repair shop they stated the engine had pieces of metal throughout and would need to be replaced. It appeared to be a failure of the piston rings.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Dec 2023
Mar 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The low oil and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2024
Mar 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to coast off to the side of the roadway and attempted to restart the vehicle. After several attempts the contact stopped and waited for approximately 30 minutes and was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to an unknown dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2023
Feb 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stopped in the middle of the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was almost rear-ended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was advised to take the vehicle back to the dealer. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact stated that an oil consumption test was completed; however, the contact stated that the vehicle was in worse condition. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,500.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2023
Aug 2023

Engine light turned on, was told by dealer to keep driving on it unless engine light was blinking or the car started driving differently. Made a right turn and during the turn the vehicle shut off in the roadway. Brought car to dealer, dealer stated the car was low on oil and that was the reasoning, the car was not due for its routine maintenance yet for the oil. Oil was changed. Engine light came on four more times after that and each time was another reason. Within the month I was told it was the oil, a sensor, and then the ignition coil.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Apr 2023
Jul 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that upon purchase of the vehicle, she was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The contact was referred to a dealer for assistance. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not under recall; however, the dealer performed a vibration test which the vehicle passed. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact linked the failure to the previous recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 63,819.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2023
Jul 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and accelerating to merge onto the highway, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled off the road and was able to restart the vehicle on the first attempt. The contact continued driving but became aware that the engine was making an abnormal sound and was laboring while attempting to accelerate. The contact checked the oil level after arriving to his destination and became aware that the oil level was low. The vehicle was taken for an oil change and then taken to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic found no failure or an oil leak. The contact called another independent mechanic who related the engine failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2023
Jun 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH in heavy traffic, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and turned into a service station however, the vehicle stalled again and was unable to be restarted. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to her residence. The vehicle had not been diagnosed by a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 HYUNDAI KONA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2023

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Quick Summary

The 2019 Hyundai Kona has 89 Engine complaints on file. 2 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.