431 of the 928 complaints about the Hyundai Kona (46.4%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 2.1× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
431Complaints · Engine
46.4%Share of complaints
2.09×vs. all vehicles
109Last 12 months
4.2%Share involving a crash or fire
2Related recalls
Analysis
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2019 model (139, 58% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (2). 109 Engine complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 81 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
Owners most often describe: “engine”, “oil”, “piston”, “stalled” and “rings”. 20 of these reports (4.2%) describe a crash or fire, with 8 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
2 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 24V308000 (2024-05-01, model years 2024).
The Kona was driven a 1/2 hour before parking the vehicle. The Kona was turned off. Within 5 minutes smoke began wafting from under the hood. When I opened the hood to inspect I found the engine & underside of the hood was engulfed in flames.
Engine · 2026-07-03 · ODI 11748215 · Fire
Component Failed: Electric transmission/drive unit failed twice before 150,000 miles. Still in vehicle, available for inspection. Safety Risk: Loss of propulsion while driving creates risk of being rear-ended or stranded in dangerous traffic conditions.
Engine · 2025-08-15 · ODI 11680934 · Fire
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.
Engine · 2026-08-31 · ODI 11760900
Leaking oil...burns exceptionally fast even with dealership services. Pistons not sealed, melts new spark plugs, misfire on cylinder 3
Engine · 2026-08-27 · ODI 11759906
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.
Engine · 2026-08-25 · ODI 11759509
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message to “Turn off Engine and Restart Engine” was displayed and the engine seized.
Engine · 2026-08-24 · ODI 11759192
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) Campaign 24V308000 · 2024-05-01 · Model years: 2024
Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Elantra, Venue, and Kona vehicles. An electrical short circuit may occur in the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve assembly, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 28, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 260.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Why modern engines burn oil, and what owner complaints revealThe design choices that make many recent engines consume oil, the warning signs owners describe, what counts as normal, and which tracked models draw the most engine complaints right now.
Frequently asked questions
How common are Engine problems on the Hyundai Kona?
431 of the 928 complaints about the Hyundai Kona (46.4%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 2.1× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Hyundai Kona model years have the most Engine complaints?
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2019 model (139, 58% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (2).
Is there a recall for Hyundai Kona Engine problems?
2 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 24V308000 (2024-05-01, model years 2024).