2020 HYUNDAI KONA Recalls, Complaints & Safety

On 3/29/26 my Kona caught fire while parked in the front left side of the engine and burned completely within eight minutes. This is not an electric car. Prior to that I drove the car all day with no incident. It was later in the evening around 5:40 PM. I had driven from my house to a restaurant which is about 6.8 miles from my house. I parked my car and then my son-in-law noticed that my engine was smoking. My husband went to check to see if it was the radiator, but he noticed that it was fire and we called [XXX] . I know there are no recalls for my car, but I wanted to report it to you. The car only had 44,900 miles on it and was only serviced by West Nyack Hyundai. The last service was on 1/19/26. If you have any questions, you can email me at [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Fire

My car was taken in as a part of recall bulletin 203 for improperly heated piston rings treated pistons rings that result in premature engine failure and possible fire on 12/5/25. The knock sensor test was performed and the KSDS software was installed. On 3/12/26 my daughter who was on the way home from a trip called because her checking engine light started flashing and the engine was knocking. We had it towed to Hyundai and they are denying service under the recall stating improper codes yet one of the codes is P1327 KSDS detection which is related to the rod bearing failure the car currently has. They are trying to make me pay $4600 out of pocket plus the tow bill when this is directly related to the recall.

My 2020 Hyundai Kona (VIN: [XXX] ) has a persistent engine stalling safety defect that matches Recall 203 (22-01-042H, NHTSA Campaign 21V301000 – Nu 2.0L Atkinson Engine Inspection and Replacement). The recall addresses improperly heat-treated piston oil rings causing cylinder bore scuffing, accelerated oil consumption, abnormal knocking, and potential engine stall while driving (increasing crash/fire risk).I first brought the vehicle to Corona Hyundai for repeated stalling while driving. They performed the recall vibration inspection and software update (Campaign 974), stated the test passed, and declared the vehicle "fixed", safe and "good-to-go" Immediately after pickup, the stalling returned worse: approximately 60-80 miles later on XX near the XXX exit (four-lane high-speed highway), the engine completely stalled at 65 mph while merging for an exit. This caused vehicles and semi-trucks behind me to swerve dangerously and very nearly collide with me. The vehicle stalled four more times on the way to my destination in [XXX] .I then took it to the nearest dealer, Carlsbad Hyundai for safety reasons. They performed the vibration inspection again, which also "passed," yet the real-world symptoms would continue unchanged: accelerated oil consumption (I monitor the dipstick and refill regularly), sputtering, knocking noises, and complete engine stalls (dozens of incidents, especially on local roads and turns). The vehicle remains undrivable due to imminent stall risk while moving and putting myself, my passengers and other commuters at high risk of severe injury or death.Both dealers and Hyundai Customer Care (Case #XXX) have refused further action, stating the vibration test passed, they cannot duplicate the concern, and no additional claim can be submitted for engine replacement. Hyundai's TSB [XXX] requires only the vibration inspection; engine replacement is authorized if "NO PASS" – no separate oil consumption test or monitored drive INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. While the contact’s son was driving the vehicle on the highway at an undisclosed speed, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine and the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The gear shifter was shifted into neutral(N) and restarted; however, the engine failed shortly afterwards, and the vehicle was unable to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with piston rings failure and low engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, where it was confirmed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine); however, the recall repair was already performed. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.

many times a year, without warning, vehicle dash lights turn off and light up like a christmas tree, followed by fca warning sound and lights going off, and a loud mechanical thud. Lose engine throttle going highway speeds. This can occur at nearly any speed without warning. Car must be powered off and back on to get normalcy. This puts me, everyone in the car and everyone on the highway at risk. Dealership was not able to reproduce or pull error codes.

While driving under normal conditions, the vehicle’s dual-clutch transmission (DCT) failed to engage properly, causing a sudden and unexpected loss of propulsion. When the accelerator was pressed, the vehicle hesitated and did not respond as commanded, resulting in delayed or no acceleration. This occurred while driving in traffic at approximately 30 mph while trying to acceletate to merge onto highway and has happened multiple times. In some instances, the vehicle appeared to remain in gear but would not accelerate, and in other instances the transmission disengaged before re-engaging unpredictably. This created an unsafe situation, as the vehicle could not maintain speed or merge safely, significantly increasing the risk of a collision, especially in traffic or at intersections. The issue occurred without sufficient warning and continues to happen intermittently during normal driving.The vehicle was inspected by a dealership, which stated the condition is related to a clutch issue within the dual-clutch transmission and acknowledged it is a known issue affecting this transmission. The dealership further stated the issue would not be repaired because the vehicle is out of warranty.

the headlights in this model Kona keep burning out after 9 months or so. I have replaced them multiple times in the last 5 years on both left and right sides. I use glove to put in the bulbs and are very careful not to let my hands touch the bulb. I have never had this happen with any other car I have owned. I suspect an electrical system issue, or perhaps wiring, but that is speculation. I have not had this inspected by the dealership. The latest date of failure is listed below.

The timing system was repaired in February 2025. After similar symptoms of vehicle stalling, the check engine light came on Found a software update that needed to be completed to determine if engine needed replaced. Dealership has refused for seven weeks to complete the entire job of the update which includes running a diagnostic of codes. Instead, they have been arguing that the timing system needs replaced and not providing the codes from the safety software update. Obviously there's a much deeper issue if the timing system keeps breaking down.

The vehicle has ~51K miles. It has been maintained according to the manufacturer's recommended repair schedule. At low speeds (<10 mph) or when coming from a full stop the vehicle hard shifts. When driving up inclines at low speeds (<10 mph), the vehicle shakes and stutters on the verge of shutting off. This happened twice on [XXX]. I experienced a full vehicle shut off on [XXX} while the vehicle was stationary, but shifted into drive . In August, the vehicle stuttered and shook before shutting off. I have reported three instances of this issue to my local Hyundai dealership. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Vehicle suddenly began shutting off upon braking and/or acceleration at any speed, idling very hard, and/or barely starting or dying immediately after starting and making a very loud whining noise while driving on an interstate. A mechanic ran a diagnostic test on it and determined that it was a P1327 code and recommended it be taken to dealership for full engine failure. This particular code was known by Hyundai to occur on certain models and years, including Kona 2019-2021, as early as 2022 and while a recall campaign was initiated, no recall to date has been issued. No warning indicators on dash occurred in advance or even after the vehicle began malfunctioning (i.e., no check engine indicator, etc.). Vehicle is available at dealership upon request.

The vehicle has ~51K miles. It has been maintained according to the manufacturer's recommended repair schedule. At low speeds (<10 mph) or when coming from a full stop the vehicle hard shifts. When driving up inclines at low speeds (<10 mph), the vehicle shakes and stutters on the verge of shutting off. This happened twice on [XXX]. I experienced a full vehicle shut off on [XXX} while the vehicle was stationary, but shifted into drive . In August, the vehicle stuttered and shook before shutting off. I have reported three instances of this issue to my local Hyundai dealership. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The engine shut down when the car stops at a red light or stop sign. There are metal shavings in the oil due to issues with the pistons.

Car keeps stalling no matter what speed you're driving. Took the car to NTB and they said nothing is wrong with it. It continues to happen even in busy highways where someone almost ran into the back of me. Not safe to drive. Concerned as numerous forums suggest this is a problem with 2019-2021 Hyundai Konas.

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the turbocharger was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

I purchased a used 2020 Hyundai Kona with the Nu 2.0L engine. I drove the vehicle regularly without issue for several years, including two days before the incident. On the day of the incident, I attempted to start the vehicle but it ran irregularly. I shut off the vehicle after a few seconds and restarted. The vehicle stalled seconds after starting. On subsequent attempts it failed to start at all. I learned of Recall 203 (defective piston rings), which affects this model year and engine. I contacted Hyundai, who recommended I visit a dealer. Upon inspection, the dealer recommended engine replacement. Hyundai denied engine replacement under Recall 203, on the grounds that the recall was "closed" during an inspection in 2021 (prior to my ownership) despite the defective part not being replaced. This engine, with defective and recalled part, has now experienced sudden and unexpected failure. Hyundai has been uncooperative and I have been without a vehicle for nearly a month.

Ignition, speed and driving halts. I've had this Kona repaired a couple years ago and it took about 6-8mos to get my vehicle back, the this year 2025 the vehicle again is giving me problems. I thought of applying the lemon law however the week of the 6-8months being in the repair shop, I got the vehicle back, and the owner(mr. Crisostomo was very kind and understanding) so it made me be more patience nonetheless there's only so much he could do if he is not the one repairing the vehicle. I was offered carpets for my patience yet still have not gotten them and feel like a bother when I call to inquiry about them and it's not the service manager that I talk to , I feel otherwise. That could just be me, however I know good customer service if it's presence. For the actually year, I would need to check emails and records. But it's probably the year after so 2022 ( almost certain) now, This year, 2025.. I see that there is a recall that the dealership did not inform me. The vehicle is paid of last year, because I was going to relocate but that had changed. I found out about the recall cause my dad had died and step mother is using my other car so I'm using the Kona much more that 3 days a week. I keep dying out in one (1) day.. I died out twice. So I checked if there's a recall and there is. I would like my vehicle repurchased or credit for the amount purchased or I like a jeep 2 door ( is fine) as a recovery vehicle, thank you.

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who replaced the turbocharger, but the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was later examined by an independent mechanic who determined that the pistons were faulty. No further information was available. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failures. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (ENGINE). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 127,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated there was a pinging sound inside the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for a multi-point inspection, and it was confirmed that the oil level was extremely low. The contact stated that an oil consumption test was performed. The vehicle had consumed ¾ quarts of oil in a month. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to seek legal assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.

2020 Hyundai Kona wirh 22,000 miles, original owner, great condition(except oil usage). First consumption test used 3/4 qt. in 1,000 miles. Seems convenient that Hyundai says 1 qt & the dealership came up with 3/4 so there is no problem. BULL! No oil light came on to warn of low oil.

Car has extreme oil consumption and power stalls which are related to a recall in 2021 for bad poston rings which werent properly heat protected. I brought in and they said it was checked for recall but engine was never actually replaced. My warning lights come on for oil when this happens. My engine could either seize or I could lose power on highway. Car dealership laughed in my face when brought and told me id have to fork over 10k for a new engine which doesn't seem accurate considering Hyundai manufactured this vehicle with bad piston rings.

Vehicle showed these warning lights while stalling out at stop signs: FCA, ESC, and DBC. She was able to turn off the car and restart it. We took it to a Hyundai dealership and ran a diagnostic test where they found nothing wrong. They noticed her oil was low, so they topped it off. This was on a Monday. By Saturday, she had this issue again where she stalled out at a stoplight in the center lane of a 4 lane busy road and had to coast to a parking lot where she restarted the car. We then personally checked the oil again, she was almost out of oil!! We added more full synthetic oil. We googled the issue and saw other 2020 Kona's have this issue. I spoke with Hyundai Consumer Affairs to get advice but they said without any open recalls or extended warraties they couldn't help. They suggested the lengthy process of a repeated oil consumption test at the dealership. We are now taking it to an engine shop today (8-29-25) where he will try to put a syntheic blend in after taking out the full syntheic out. The mechanic said sometimes this helps the oil consumption. We will see how the car runs with the blend. He mentioned that his research shows older models had this issue and Hyundai replaced some engines.

The air conditioning system has a drain for condensation. If it gets plugged up, from debris, algae, etc., it accumulates and sprays it into the passenger cabin. In my auto it sprays considerable water onto the floor boards of both the driver side and passenger side. I encountered such spraying onto my right foot making it slip off the accelerator pad while turning left. While turning right it sprays onto the passenger side. This is an actual spray of water. The dealer reports this is an owner maintenance item. This is not addressed in owner manuals. A search of google issues shows this to be a very big issue. To issues exists. Water onto the accelerator and the brake pedal are safety issues. Wet carpeting causes mold. It is a very bad design.

The engine on my 2020 Hyundai Kona failed suddenly while driving, causing complete loss of power. There were no warning lights until after the failure. The vehicle was towed to a Hyundai dealership. Initially, the dealership stated the failure was related to an open recall from 2021 and warned that repairs might not be covered because the recall had not been completed. I sent them a written request outlining both NHTSA Recall 21V-301 (federally mandated) and Service Campaign 974, asking for documentation supporting their diagnosis and any communications with corporate. This request was ignored. Afterward, the dealership said they would replace the engine, but upon completion they recommended replacing certain bolts and hoses at my expense ($849), claiming that if I declined, any future related repairs would not be covered. When asked why these parts were not included in the repair or how their condition would void future coverage, I was told they were “normal wear” items not covered under warranty. No documentation or policy basis was provided. When asked whether the repair was processed under Recall 21V-301 or Campaign 974, they stated it was not tied to either and was filed under the powertrain warranty without corporate involvement. Multiple shop personnel had earlier confirmed verbally that the failed part matched the recall defect, but the service manager provided a different explanation and refused supporting documents. The dealership also claimed Recall 21V-301 was “completed” in October 2021 via a software update, despite the vehicle never having been at the dealership since purchase. No proof of recall completion or CNDS software installation was provided. The lack of evidence that Recall 21V-301 was properly remedied, the possibility of an improper closure in Hyundai’s system, and the fact that the failure matched the recall defect raise serious concerns about compliance with federal recall requirements. I am waiting for corporate to contact me also.

Back up camera had not worked since purchase. It is now August been dealing with the dealership and Hyundai National with a case number and zero help to rectify this issue. It is not my fault the sales man who sold me this car left two days later. anyone I speak to at the dealership, is not there again the next week. even hyundai usa are consistently unable to even get a manger to call me back. This is unacceptable. at this point any warranty is expired, this car was sold with a faulty camera.

I am the original owner of a 2020 Hyundai Kona equipped with the 2.0L Nu MPI engine. This engine has been subject to known manufacturing defects, including excessive oil consumption, timing component wear, and premature failure. Hyundai has acknowledged that my specific engine falls within the range of engines affected by this defect and has confirmed that it is part of a recall/service campaign group. However, Hyundai is refusing to repair or replace the engine because it passed a vibration test back in 2021. That test was performed over three years ago, and my vehicle is now experiencing major engine problems, including the activation of check engine light with code P0017, which refers to crankshaft-camshaft correlation issues — a known symptom of the engine defect. Hyundai is denying coverage based on a test that is now outdated and irrelevant, despite the fact that the engine is part of the known defect group and is showing signs of failure consistent with hundreds of similar cases. The vehicle is no longer under powertrain warranty, but the root cause of the failure is clearly related to the previously identified defect. Hyundai’s refusal to act puts me, and potentially others, at risk of sudden engine failure due to timing or lubrication problems. This is a potential safety issue if the engine stalls while driving. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate Hyundai’s use of past vibration tests to deny coverage for active and dangerous engine defects. Owners like myself should not be penalized for a test performed years ago when clear evidence of failure now exists.

While driving on the highway, our vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating without warning, forcing us to pull over immediately. There were no warning lamps, messages, or prior symptoms before the failure occurred. We had to stop on a narrow shoulder with no guardrails, leaving us exposed to fast-moving traffic and putting our safety at serious risk. The vehicle was inspected by a local dealership, who diagnosed the issue as a failed fuel injector. This component is available for inspection upon request. The problem has not been reproduced, but the diagnosis has been confirmed by the dealer.

The horn stopped working. I have owned several cars and never had a horn malfunction. This is an important safety feature and is mandated, like airbags. They should work.

I was driving when I heard a rattle below the car. About a mile later, my engine died. Turns out the oil plug fell out causing irreparable damage to my engine. Was fortunate to be able to coast down the bottom side of the bridge I was on to a safe spot off to the side.

Car is losing power. Car is stopping in the middle of the road. Car was towed to my Personal mechanic on June 21,2025 who has ran a diagnostic on vehicle & vehicle is throwing out an Engine Failure Code. Check Engine light is blinking ; car is making odd "knocking type" noises. First appeared June 20, 2025. Car is not safe to drive due to losing power. Vehicle is now being towed to the dealership (after multiple calls) and the loss of power is concerning/dangerous if vehicle looses power with traffic around. I feel I won't be able to get the vehicle and myself off the road safely before an accident/injury/fatality occurs. I will upload a copy of the diagnostic report

Recall 203 was done on vehicle immediately upon purchase in 2021. Recall 974 was done and CNDS software installed in 2022. Engine stalled and check engine light came on at the end of February. Took car in March 11th to the dealership was told that the engine would need to be replaced due to code P1327. Said there was piston noise. Told me none of it is covered and that I would be out of pocket almost $9,000.00 with a car that is 5 years old. Have a case open with Hyundai Consumer Affairs (Case#[XXX]) and have not heard anything back from them. I am needing to know if this should be covered. According to my research it should be. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

While driving the car it stalled and all dash lights came in. After about 20 mins it started back up and I proceeded down the road. After a few minutes the engine light came on blinking. I got the car to a local mechanic who placed it in the diagnostic machine. It came back code engine-pistons. I have a Hyandai 2020 Kona MPI-NU 2.0l engine but it was not included in the recall of the same vehicles.

My vehicle has a very rough idle-vibrating at idle or stopped and not shifting properly-gear slipping. There is sluggish acceleration or jerking and the problem worsens while at a stop light/stop sign or at times when making a turn. The RPM goes between 200-300 when I accelerate to go from a stop and the car revs as it slowly hits 20 mph and then jerks into the 30-40mph on the streets. I took it to the dealer January 2025 where they could not duplicate the concern, and all they did was a TCM judder improvement update for the DCT. The problem was dismissed as being an issue associated with the DCT and was told that unless a warning light turned on or my car broke down on me, they couldn't do anything more. The service representative advised that if I am in stop and go traffic and the car starts vibrating or shaking, I should pull over the side and turn off the car for a few minutes before continuing on my way. It has been less than 2 months and I have to take it back to the dealer so they can run diagnostics on it again. Same issues, no warning lights on the dashboard indicating there is a problem, but I am not comfortable driving the car anymore.

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The driver was unable to restart the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The contact stated that the mechanic had not diagnosed the vehicle; however, an oil change was performed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the check engine warning light remained constantly illuminated. The contact that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer and two software updates were performed as per the manufacturer recalls on the vehicle, but the contact was informed that the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) could not be performed. The contact stated that the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic related the engine warning light being illuminated with the unrepaired recall. The contact was referred to the dealer again for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

Vehicle has problems shifting between 1st and 2nd gear. Stutters and has issues accelerating. Has almost caused me to be hit while turning left against traffic. Was serviced at Hyundai dealership today and they cannot replicate the issue or find anything wrong and reprogrammed the clutch touch point engagement. It happened again on the way home.

Check engine light came on and car lost power while driving.

When stopped at a light, I hit the gas and the car just sputtered. The car jolted and did not move, finally, hit the gas again it was able to move. It has happen before. My roommate's Dad told me I need to keep track of problem and file a report. I was told the injectors needed to be cleaned. I put injector cleaner into it, It seem to help but it happened again. It seems the dealer just says something needs to be cleaned.

The vehicle shut down while I was driving approximately 40 mph on a major throughway out of town. I was unfamiliar with the area and had to quickly pull over into a resident's driveway. I immediately shut the vehicle down and tried to restart it. It would not turn over, so I waited a few minutes and tried again. The engine then made a noise that almost sounded like "I quit" and would not make any noise when I turned the key after that. I called a local tow company who towed it to Firestone Complete Auto Care which was the nearest open garage. After they ran their diagnostic, they said that the engine had seized and that there was no oil in the reserve. I never had any engine lights light up on the dashboard until the second the car stopped working, when they ALL came on. My mechanic friend says that these engines have computers that time stamp when the warning lights come on, so it will be interesting to know if they use that information. I have contacted Hyundai customer service and because we are not the original owners of the vehicle, they said the powertrain/engine is not covered under the 5 year/60k mile warranty from Hyundai. We do have an extended warranty through a 3rd party company, but they are giving us a difficult time too. We are still waiting to hear if they will cover the replacement of the engine. This is a HUGE safety risk because my vehicle gave no advanced warning that it was needing service/maintenance and just stopped functioning while I was driving. If I had been on a different street or in the middle of a turn, it could have resulted in injury/death of occupants of the vehicle. My oldest son is also just starting to drive. If he were driving this vehicle when this occurred, he may not have known what to do and could have been stranded in the middle of a busy highway, where an accident could have been imminent.