2020 Hyundai Kona

2020 Hyundai Kona recalls (2)

• ENGINE

  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.

• EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

  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."

  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.

2020 Hyundai Kona safety ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.

2020 Hyundai Kona owner complaints (15)

• ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  The car failed to accelerate on highway on multiple occasions, including when slowing down and then trying to accelerate when pulling out on highways.

• ENGINE

  The contact owns a 2020 Hyunndai Kona. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's fiance, who is an independent mechanic attached the portable diagnostic tester to the vehicle, and the failure code was P1327. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact as advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

• SERVICE BRAKES

  I am receiving an intermittent "check regenerative brake" message. The message will clear automatically and then reappear every three to four weeks. An internet search reveals this is a common error for the Kona. Most people report no repair by the dealer. In several cases, the brakes stopped working, resulting in collisions. The hydraulic breaks do not work if the regenerative brake system fails leaving you with no way to stop the car. The manufacture has no solution.

• STRUCTURE

  2020 Hyundai Kona, ~36,300 miles. Driver's side door latch assembly. On or around May 9, 2026, an abnormal mechanical noise began coming from inside the driver's door whenever the key fob lock/unlock button was pressed, consistent with a failing latch actuator. I booked a service appointment, and on May 15, 2026, an authorized Hyundai dealership confirmed the defect and recommended full replacement of the driver's door latch assembly. The vehicle is available for inspection. A latch that does not reliably operate is a serious safety risk. The driver's door is the primary egress point. An intermittent or inoperative latch could prevent emergency exit, block post-collision egress, or prevent first-responder access. The vehicle regularly transports children, increasing the consequence of any failure. No dashboard warning lights, alerts, or messages preceded the failure. This is a mechanical defect that does not trigger electronic warnings. Hyundai TSB 21-BD-006H (May 2021) acknowledges this exact failure mode — door handle inoperative or requiring repeated attempts to open — on the Elantra (AD/ADa) and Tucson (TL). The remedy is full latch assembly replacement, and Hyundai extended warranty coverage on the latch to 10 years / unlimited miles on those models. The 2020 Kona is not named in 21-BD-006H despite exhibiting the identical failure mode at low mileage on a 6-year-old vehicle. The defect appears to extend to the Kona platform and is not currently covered. Vehicle has not been inspected by Hyundai corporate, police, insurance, or independent shops. Filing this complaint to record the cross-platform defect pattern and request that NHTSA evaluate whether the door latch warranty extension should be expanded to include the Kona.

• VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

  The vehicle all shut off as I slowed down for a stop sign. Put in Park turn the key off restarted it got to the next stop sign same thing. Also the red light same had to shut it off put it in put in Park shut off and then restart and step on the gas so I can get through before a car hit me. Happened several times till I finally got the car home done it started knocking loudly and shut off just as I got into my driveway. Check the oil. The oil is fine. Occasionally the oil light would come on if you put in Dr.. It is knocking really loud. The engine light keeps flashing constantly. I called Brown Dobb Hyundai in Easton Pennsylvania. They told me this recall has nothing to do with my car because of the VIN number. But everything that is happening to it is is under recall 187. But because of the VIN number they are insisting it’s not my car. What can I do before I get in an accident? I don’t have any other cars to rely on. I have a son with Autism and I am a single mother. What else can I do? I had this car not even three months.

• ENGINE

  Engine light comes on starts flashing as well as the oil light occasionally. If you slow down or have to stop it completely shuts down you have to put in park and restart the car to get anywhere and start stopping in front in the middle of traffic. So if you slow down to go up a hill or anything, it just stops completely. Also making a clicking or grinding sound not sure.

• VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES

  I stopped my car foot on brake put it in park and it accelerated on its own and forced me to crash into a concrete wall still not wanting to stop

• ENGINE

  On February 27, 2026, my 2020 Hyundai Kona (Recall 203) suffered a catastrophic engine stall while driving, requiring an emergency tow. The dealership (Rosen Hyundai) and Hyundai Motor America are refusing to perform the Safety Recall 203 remedy unless I first pay $4,715.26 for a timing repair. I was also required to pay $453.05 for wiring repairs just to "enable" the recall test, yet the recall remains unaddressed because of a financial paywall. I am reporting an obstruction of a federal safety recall by the manufacturer.

• POWER TRAIN

  The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that during a regular maintenance visit, the contact was informed that there was a leak coming from the front axle transfer case, which was initially unrepaired. The vehicle was subsequently taken to a dealer in Colorado, where the seal was replaced. However, while an oil change service was being performed later, it was discovered that the failure recurred because the previous repair was performed incorrectly. The first failure was for an inoperable seal, and the second failure was due to an improper repair. The third inspection confirmed that the seal had not been installed correctly during the prior service. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 146,000.

• UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

  Basically normal driving the car stalled. It slowed to a stall. I had to restart the car. This has happened a couple to times.

• UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  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)

• ENGINE

  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.

• STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

  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.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• ENGINE

  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.

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

  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.