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2021 Hyundai Kona SUV AWD

1
Recalls
25
Complaints
Overall rating

Safety Ratings.

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings help consumers compare vehicle safety when searching for a car. More stars mean safer cars.

Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
Overall Front Star Rating

Combines Driver and Passenger star ratings into a single frontal rating. The frontal barrier test simulates a head-on collision between two similar vehicles, each moving at 35 mph.

Front Driver Side
Front Passenger Side
Overall Side Star Rating

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Driver
Passenger
Overall Side Pole Star Rating

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Rollover Star Rating

The Rollover Resistance test measures the risk of rollover in a single-vehicle, loss-of-control scenario.

Rollover Risk: 13.6%

Complaints
Recalls

25 Complaints

for 2021 HYUNDAI KONA
01/03/2022
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Incident Date: 12/10/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: KM8K1CAA2MU******
Summary

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.

01/02/2022
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 01/02/2022
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: Km8k22aa8mu******
Summary

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?

12/08/2021
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 12/08/2021
Crash: Yes
Fire: Yes
Vehicle Identification Number: KM8K1CAA4MU******
Summary

The contact’s father owned a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while her father was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was stuck and the seat belt did not lock the contact’s father into his seat during impact. The vehicle crashed into a traffic light pole, went uphill, and then flipped before stopping. The air bags deployed, but the steering wheel air bag caught fire. The contact’s father was able to exit the vehicle. The contact’s father suffered fractured back, chest, ribs, and lumbar spine injuries, as well as head injuries with a brain bleed. The contact’s father was transported to the hospital by ambulance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a police tow yard and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

10/02/2021
Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Incident Date: 09/08/2021
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: KM8K5CA58MU******
Summary

We bought the car in July and owned it 70 days and 1,530 miles. The Automatic Emergency Breaking engaged several times without any reason. Sometimes at lower speeds <40 and sometimes on the freeway >60. The last time was at 20 mph in a school zone and we were rear ended because of the unexpected stop. We had several near misses on the freeway, but the cars behind us managed to avoid us. The car has severe damage to the bumper, tailgate and Blind Spot warning, parking collision warning and rear cross traffic warning because of the accident and the car has been in the body shop awaiting parts/repair for the nearly entire month of September. No one was hurt and we didn't have the car long enough to take it back to the dealer to have the brake system checked. The accident would not have happened if the Automatic Emergency Braking had worked properly.

09/26/2021
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 09/25/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: KM8K12AA5MU******
Summary

Having acceleration problems. 1. While driving in normal mode, when accelerating from 55 to pass cars on the highway, the tach moves to higher levels but the car doesn't accelerate. I need to take my foot off the Gas Pedal and wait then try to accelerate again. 2. When a stop light, at a full stop (or stop sign) - the car bucks before accelerating. 3. when I start my car from a cold start and in idle mode - still in park - the tach hops for 30 seconds before settling. All these issues do not happen all the time. Hard to replicate.

09/11/2021
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 07/07/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: km8k62aa7mu******
Summary

I'm trying to find out when my 2021 KONA SEl PLUS was built and where ? When did the maker of the oil rings notify Hyundai of the defect to the rings why was Hyundai able to sell of these Kona's with the 2.0 engines from dealers lots after they knew there was a problem with the engines. My Kona was sold to me on 25 Feb. 2021 they had to know of the problem by than. I was so angry and upset with my dealer when I check with them about the recall and THEY TOLD ME to DRIVE IT TILL IT BLEW UP OR CATCHES FIRE and have it Towed IN. I sold it back to them and loss 3,000 dollars rather than drive it another mile. Please email me @ [XXX] I'm a 75 year old US navy Combat veteran thats hard of hearing with PTSD under Doctors care because of the problems with my dealer and the KONA with the bad engine PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

09/07/2021
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 07/01/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: km8k6caa0mu******
Summary

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.

09/03/2021
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 07/07/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: km8k62aa7mu******
Summary

with the recall in effect on 7 July,2021 and nothing being done to correct the problem not even the software up date installed and the dealer not being able to tell me when any thing ging on to correct the problem I could no longer drive this 2021 KONA SEL with the 2.0 engine as I'm 75 years old and my wife is 74 both of us have a very hard time getting in and out of the KONA . I took it back to my dealer and dumped if off and told them that I couldn't drive this car and in danger my wife and 4 grand babys. I was in a really bad mental state and end ed up taking a lower grade Kona and losing $$$.

08/29/2021
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 02/25/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: KM8K62AA7MU******
Summary

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]

08/21/2021
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Incident Date: 07/07/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: KM8K62AA7MU******
Summary

on 1, JULY 2021 receive notice from HYUNDAI USA about Recall of car due to bad Rings that might cause Engine failure due to engine running badly and might cause engine to lock up and throw a rod and catch fire, I am 75 years old US NAVY COMBAT VERERAN with PTSD and other serious medical problems and My wife is 74 years old her knees and hips have ben operated on but she still has problems getting in and out of the car. We take our 4 GRAND BABYS to and from school and the sitter 5 days a week. the youngest turned 1 year old on July 7th this year and the oldest is 81/2 years old. we would not able to get our self's and the Grand kids in and out of the car in a Emergency On 7 JULY , I returned to my Dealer BENTLEY HYUNDAI in Huntsville Al. they told me that there was :NO FIX: or test that they could do on My KONA SEL and to drive it until it "Catch's Fire and Breaks down." Than to have it" towed into they Dealer ship" using the HYUNDAI tow Service. This was totally out of the question as they knew about my wife and Grand kids most days of the week! At that time I didn't Remember about my 2016 SONATA SE that was brought new from BENTLEY HYUNDAI that had a software up grade to monitor the engine's operation to tell if problems were developing and Warn the operator. This was done back in 2020 ? I was under a lot of stress over this recall and they were telling me "Not to Worry" about it they showed me several other cars model of Hyundai's and I even drove one home to show my wife, which she didn't like as the color wasn't right and the trim options and safety options didn't compare to the 2021 KONA SEL. After dealing with the sales man who was really trying to help me and the General manager MR. JOHNSON ,who I felt just was just trying to get me to leave as I was really loud and very up set about they were handing the matter. they drove a 2022 KONA Se up for me to look over. It was very funny that only a few hours before there we're none.

08/19/2021
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 12/03/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: KM8K12AA9MU******
Summary

Transmission slip out of park I was at a complete stop in park got out of the car to get my purse an as I pull the hacker it was still locked so I came around and reached in the car to turn the car off an as I attempted to pull the key out the car started roll back drugged me about 150 feet down the inbank.

08/09/2021
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 04/28/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: KM8K62AA9MU******
Summary

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.

07/22/2021
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 06/22/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: KM8K2CAA3MU******
Summary

Tire installed as new OEM on Hyundai Kona with 650 miles. Driving at 40 mph and sidewall of tire blew out. Tire did not strike any object or curb. 215/55R17

07/19/2021
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 04/28/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: KM8K6CAA6MU******
Summary

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.

07/09/2021
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 07/01/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: KM8K6CAA8MU******
Summary

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.

07/09/2021
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 06/23/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: KM8K22AA1MU******
Summary

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.

06/28/2021
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 06/28/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: KM8K22AA2MU******
Summary

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.

06/22/2021
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 06/07/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: KM8K6CAA4MU******
Summary

I had a flat tire (passenger side right front tire). Triple AAA removed tire and replaced with my spare tire. While driving to the Hyundai dealership, massive clouds of smoke poured out of my exhaust pipe in rear of car. I also had trouble steering the car. The result of using the spare tire burned the transmission fluid (also contained metal shavings). The transmission had to be replaced along with the fluids in my car.

06/21/2021
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 06/17/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: KM8K12AA9MU******
Summary

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.

06/18/2021
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 06/17/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: KM8K1CAA1MU******
Summary

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.

05/06/2021
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 04/06/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: KM8K6CAA5MU******
Summary

VEHICLE HESITATES TO ACCELERATE EASILY AND GAS PEDDLE MUST BE SHARPLY APPLIED TO MOVE FORWARD. SYMPTOMS OCCUR DAILY WHEN DRIVING ON CITY STREETS.

04/27/2021
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 02/02/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: KM8K33A59MU******
Summary

HEADLIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE! THEY GET FULL ON CONDENSATION OBSTRUCTING THE LIGHTS AND ROAD AHEAD. THEY GO OFF AN ON WHILE YOU'RE DRIVING. HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SEND A BULLETIN TO ALL THEIR DEALERS NOT TO REPLACE THEM. THIS IS COMPROMISING OUR VIEW AT NIGHT SINCE THE LIGHTS GO OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. WE ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT! HELP

04/21/2021
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 02/15/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: KM8L6CAA6MU******
Summary

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.

04/20/2021
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 03/20/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: KM8K33A59MU******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 HYUNDAI KONA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, RAIN WATER WAS ENTERING THE HEADLAMPS WHICH DIMINISHED THE ILLUMINATION FROM THE HEADLAMPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RED HOAGLAND HYUNDAI (6375 CYPRESS GARDENS BLVD, WINTER HAVEN, FL 33884, (863) 326-6999) AND IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO LET THE HEADLAMPS DRY OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,052.

04/02/2021
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/07/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: KM8K6CA58MU******
Summary

CAR HAS BEEN PULLING TO THE RIGHT SINCE A WEEK OLD. DEALER ADJUSTED ALIGNMENT AND STILL DOING IT. WHEEL IS OFF CENTER AND MORE RESISTANCE GOING LEFT THAN RIGHT.

1 Recalls

for 2021 HYUNDAI KONA
28/04/2021
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V301000
ENGINE
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.
Campaign Number: 21V301000
Manufacture: Hyundai Motor America
Components: ENGINE
Summary

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

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