Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 160 safety complaints
about the 2020 Hyundai Kona with the US government. Of those, 8 describe a crash, 3 mention a fire, 12 people were injured and 1 death is recorded. 2 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the engine and equipment.
The most complained-about system is the engine,
named in 107 complaints, 67% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 12,000 miles,
the median across the 47
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers March 2020 to September 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
160 complaints on file
160
Complaints
8
Describe a crash
3
Mention fire
12
People injured
1
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
Complaints more than doubled year on year: 37 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 8 in the twelve before.
A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free.
Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can
answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a
model year.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 107 · 67%
107 67%
POWER TRAIN 20 · 13%
20 13%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 17 · 11%
17 11%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11 · 7%
11 7%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 7 · 4%
7 4%
STEERING 7 · 4%
7 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7 · 4%
7 4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 4 · 3%
4 3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 4 · 3%
4 3%
SERVICE BRAKES 3 · 2%
3 2%
AIR BAGS 2 · 1%
2 1%
LANE DEPARTURE 2 · 1%
2 1%
04692
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 160.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2021 at 61.
68 51 34 17
202020212021222022232023242024252025262026
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2020 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2020 Hyundai KONA, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
SUV AWD
SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover
13.6%
14.1%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed.
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
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.
The risk
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.
The 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.
Hyundai Motor America · up to 158,493 vehicles across all model years covered
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Kona vehicles. The certification label may indicate incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 567, "Certification" and 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
The risk
An incorrect GAWR could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install new label stickers displaying the correct GAWR over the affected areas of the certification label, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 187.
Hyundai Motor America · up to 477 vehicles across all model years covered
Defect investigations
2 on file
An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A
preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering
analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.
Pedestrian alert sounds
DP22005
Closed defect petition · opened January 27, 2023 · closed August 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000
the electrical system
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
Loss of Motive Power
DP22003
Closed defect petition · opened September 12, 2022 · closed December 12, 2023
the engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
SEATS
1 death · 2 injured · crash · towed
The Hyundai Kona was struck head-on by another vehicle. There was one driver and one minor passenger in the right rear seat in the Hyundai Kona. The driver had minor injuries while, unfortunately, the accident was fatal to the passenger. The impact of the collision caused the right rear seat to snap forward, fracturing the passenger's neck. The cause of death for the passenger was blunt force trauma caused by the neck fracture. If the seat had stayed in place during the impact, the passenger's neck would not have been fractured. The vehicle is no longer available for inspection. To our knowledge, the problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The …
NHTSA complaint 11574843, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
3 injured · crash · towed
On 30 May 21, I was getting ready to pull into my driveway, stopped the vehicle to let a passenger out of car, when suddenly the vehicle accelerated at a high speed crashing into my house. I nor the braking assist could stop the vehicle, resulting in the collision with house. I and my passengers sustained seat belt injuries.
NHTSA complaint 11419113. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
2 injured · crash · towed
TL* THE CONTACT'S CLIENT OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI KONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLIENT WAS GONG THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND ANOTHER DRIVER RAN A RED LIGHT AND BROADSIDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. BOTH THE CLIENT AND HER PASSENGER WERE INJURED AND HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE DRIVER HAD NECK AND BACK PAINS AND HER RIGHT HAND HAD A BUMP. THE PASSENGER HAD HEAD AND NECK INJURIES AND HAD A BRAIN BLEED ISSUE AND HIP INJURIES. THE PASSENGER ALSO HAD A KNOT ON THE SIDE OF HER HEAD. THE OTHER DRIVER HAD A SMALL CUT ON HIS ARM AND DID NOT HAVE TO BE TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE DRIVER;'S SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY ON …
NHTSA complaint 11382989, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
2 injured · crash
2020 HYUNDAI KONA. CONSUMER WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT WHERE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED I AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER WAS SEVERELY INJURED. *JS*DT*JB
NHTSA complaint 11376613. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
COMPONENT THAT FAILED: The engine short block piston rings (related to NHTSA recall 203) failed, causing severe cylinder wall scoring. The vehicle is currently located at an authorized Hyundai dealership and is available for manufacturer or NHTSA inspection. SAFETY RISK; The defective piston rings caused severe internal oil consumption, resulting in hydraulic oil starvation. This creates a high risk of sudden engine stalling, catastrophic engine seizure, and complete loss of motive power while driving in traffic. CONFIRMATION AND INSPECTION: Yes, the defect has been confirmed. The current Hyundai dealership performed a boroscope inspection, which physically confirmed severe vertical metal …
NHTSA complaint 11767813, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
I was fortunate to check my daughter's oil and noticed that it was almost empty. I alerted the dealer because I recently got an oil change and thought there was a leak, but no oil was on the driveway. The dealer performed an oil consumption test. They said it was 1 quart per 1,000 miles and this is acceptable. There are other models that are on the recall list, but mine is not. The dealer and Hyundai said that they will not pay for repairs because it is out of warranty. The bigger issue here is that Hyundai is aware of this issue (oil burning fast in these vehicles) and they are not warning owners to check their oil. This is a cute car and it is driven by college age girls who do not think …
NHTSA complaint 11767214, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine); however, the dealer was unable to perform the recall repair because the vehicle had not experienced a failure associated with the recall and there were no fault codes displayed or retrieved associated with the recall. However, an independent mechanic recommended that the engine be replaced. The contact provided the dealer with the fault codes and the failures that the independent mechanic had found; however, the dealer was unable to retrieve the same fault codes. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The manufacturer was …
NHTSA complaint 11763068, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
towed · 72,000 miles
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. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to restart using the ignition key. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, Capital Hyundai of Greensboro (801 E Bessemer Ave, Greensboro, NC 27405), where it remained for further diagnosis. The contact stated that during the prior recall repair, the Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) assembly, Engine Control Module (ECM), and Body Control Module (BCM) were replaced, a solenoid was …
NHTSA complaint 11760900, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
Leaking oil...burns exceptionally fast even with dealership services. Pistons not sealed, melts new spark plugs, misfire on cylinder 3
NHTSA complaint 11759906. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
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. Hyundai authorized the replacement, and the vehicle remained out of service for approximately two weeks. The engine defect created a safety concern because an engine malfunction could cause reduced or complete loss of motive power while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. The dealer inspected and removed the original engine; I do not know whether it remains available for further inspection, but the repair order and diagnostic records are available. I am filing this complaint so …
NHTSA complaint 11759509, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's
lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed April 28, 2021.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst