2021 Hyundai Kona Engine
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
While driving to work car started knocking. As soon as i arrived not even 5 miles from my home, died in my parking lot. Car had no indications of issues. Only information was due for oil change. Checked oil there was none. I was taking it in for service the next day for my regular service check. I was 62 miles over the standard time. Had to pay a tow and found out there is a hole in my engine block. Well with no indication of "Low oil" this brings a question of a information failure>?
Oct 4,2022, 2021 Kona, 17,600 miles, was operating on highway when suddenly "check oil" light came on and knockin noises began. Able to pull onto off ramp before deceleration and total stall with oil running out of bottom of car. State Police stayed with vehicle due due heavy truck traffic until AAA towed to Freysinger Hyundai in Mechanicsburg, Pa. Diagnosed engine failure with 3 to 6 month wait for necessary parts for repair. Had to purchase another car at great financial loss.
Please refer to Complaint 11488659 filed 10/10/22. I erroneously listed date of incident as 10/4. Incident occurred on 10/5/22, while driving on highway check oil light suddenly came own with knocking and other noises. I was able to pull onto exit ramp before deceleration and total stall with oil running out of bottom of car. I called 911 due to large trucks and traffic stopped behind me. State police came and stayed until AAA towed car to Freysinger Hyundai in Mechanicsburg , Pa (717) 766-8422, where regular maintenance has been done on the car as recently as Sept. 20, 2022. I was advised by [XXX] in Service Dept. That engine had failed with at least 3 months or more wait for replacement parts. I was forced to purchase another vehicle at great expense. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH for an extended period of more than 30 minutes, the engine would remain running 8-10 minutes after the vehicle had been turned off. On another occasion while driving approximately 35 MPH and entering a highway ramp, the vehicle lost motive power and power steering functionality before independently restarting and operating as designed. The contact stated that the vehicle also stalled while reversing and would restart after shifting into Park. The contact stated that three or four attempts were necessary to restart the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50.
While driving on cruise control set for 45mph the vehicle accelerated to 53 mph. Noticed this multiple times. Also steering wheel making noise and at times hard to turn. All fluids at good level. Then burning smell coming and vehicle revs up when at stop light. And then hard to start. Have had multiple issues with this vehicle. Dealer states all is good. Hyundai is no help. This is a 2021, a new vehicle that should not be acting like this.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shut off without warning. The vehicle would restart soon after failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where he was informed that his oil level was severely low; however, they were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle consumed an excessive amount of oil. Additionally, the vehicle made loud noises while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on eight separate occasions, and the dealer refilled the oil reservoir every one-thousand miles. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
Ongoing issues with the motor consuming oil despite passing a safety recall inspection. Issues with knocking, oil consumption, engine light on. Issues with the dealership fixing the problem. Issues since January of this year. Issues with stalling and motor locking up. Now no oil and not due for oil change, knocking, hesitates, motor light on.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that she received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer who inspected the vehicle and informed her that no issues were found. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, she heard abnormal knocking sounds coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that no issues were found; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle had lost 3.5 quarts out of 4 quarts of oil within 4,000 miles. The dealer informed the contact to bring the vehicle back for an oil consumption evaluation after 1,000 miles. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,500.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled and lost electrical power. The battery warning light, engine warning light, and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The contact waited an hour and was able to restart the vehicle and drive; however, the vehicle was shaking while driving. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer advised the contact that the vehicle would be repaired at her own expense. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 21,605.
The engine failed at 12,034 miles. I was at the stop light right before the bay bridge and my life and others were severely put at risk. Had I been on the bridge when the engine seized it would have meant imminent death. The Hyundai dealership said they expected it because engines on the 2021 Hyundai Kona have been recalled. This vehicle was supposed to be fitted with a safety light warning the driver of an imminent fire or engine failure after 2019 but that didn’t happen.
We have a 2021 Hyundai which is the subject of an engine recall. There have been no repairs to the car and we just turned 5000 miles. When the car is cold and first started the engine knocks and it has gone through 2 quarts of oil so far. The dealership says nothing is wrong with it. I have video of it being started and knocking. We are afraid to park it in our garage due to fire risk and due to the greatly reduced price of repairs the dealer can charge Hyundai, are getting nothing done. The number 1 driver of this car is 88 years old and does not need this stress. Help, please?
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. Sometimes 4,000 miles a month. I need this recall fixed now.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the message for oil change due in 28 days was displayed on the instrument panel. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect. The failure mileage was approximately 8,900.
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. is it possible that HYUNDAI tried to sell off all the cars with the recall on the 2.0 engines before the NHTSA.org posted the recall. if the recall was posted to Hyundai would they still be allowed to sell the cars with the recall on the 2,0 engines to get them off the dealers lots Bentley Hyundai gave me a $3,500.00 rebate off the sticker price of $27,000.00 it made me think they we're dumping the KONA"S ASAP thanks [XXX] @ [XXX]
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that parts were not available for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the part was not yet available. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer also performed an engine check on the vehicle and found no fault with the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving at 60 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the engine needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 21V301000 (Engine). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.
After loud explosion sound, the engine stalled 3 times recently while driving and today. No brake, hard steering wheel, and almost bumped the car front of me. I took my car to a dealer last week and they said no fix despite of safety recall. Without any warning, first it happened 3 weeks ago.
VEHICLE HESITATES TO ACCELERATE EASILY AND GAS PEDDLE MUST BE SHARPLY APPLIED TO MOVE FORWARD. SYMPTOMS OCCUR DAILY WHEN DRIVING ON CITY STREETS.
BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUGUST 2020. IN FEBRUARY 2021 THE CAR BEGAN TO STALL FREQUENTLY AND IT WAS RUNNING VERY LOUD. I DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS ALMOST NO OIL IN THE CAR WITH LESS THAN 5,000 MILES ON IT. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DETERMINED THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR (BUT STILL PAYING FOR IT MONTHLY) SINCE MID-FEBRUARY. IT IS NOW LATE APRIL.
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Quick Summary
The 2021 Hyundai Kona has 48 Engine complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.