Hyundai Kona Engine Problems
Owners have filed 416 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Hyundai Kona across 9 model years. The 2019 model year has the most (134). The words owners use most often: “oil consumption” (10% of reports).
- 416engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 5mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $4,700typical repair cost reported by owners
- 42%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Oil consumption: mentioned in 40 of 416 complaints (10%)
- Motive power: mentioned in 25 of 416 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the Hyundai Kona at $4,700, and half of them between $1,250 and $10,650.
Based on 9 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2021–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 112 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 416 complaints, 5 mention a crash, 13 a fire, 5 an injury.
Hyundai Kona engine complaints by model year
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
Model years: 2024
Problem: 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.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Engine
Model years: 2019, 2020, 2021
Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Large amounts of oil slipped past the damaged rings into the engine. Oil could not stay no matter how many oil changes and proper maintenance. Hard metal shards got loose into the engine causing the engine to blow. Many codes came up in the diagnoses done by a Hyundai dealership. This has been…
All 4 fuel injectors failed. They were replaced but the check engine light came back on. Crank shaft sensor was then replaced and now the check engine light is back on. Driving the car waiting for something to fail is not safe
My exact engine was as in a recall but not my car which failed prematurely at 84,000. I have taken extensive maintenance in the car in the for the past 2 years. Hyundai made me pay to tow my car to a dealership denied me for a goodwill replacement with the same exact problems as the same exact…
On September 11, 2026, while driving my 2019 Hyundai Kona Limited 1.6L Turbo on the highway, the vehicle suffered a sudden and dangerous loss of propulsion. The engine began vibrating violently, lost power significantly, and a strong chemical burning smell entered the cabin. I was forced to pull…
My 2021 Kona Limited 1.6L Turbo is consuming oil so rapidly that the Low Oil Pressure light has activated on the highway, creating a sudden risk of stalling and engine failure, that the dealership and Hyundai are declining service. According to research, when your oil pressure light flashes, your…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Hyundai Konas have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 416 owner complaints about engine for the Hyundai Kona. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Hyundai Kona engine?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the Hyundai Kona?
Owners report a typical cost of $4,700 (half paid between $1,250 and $10,650), from 9 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the Hyundai Kona?
The most frequent phrase is “oil consumption”, in 40 of 416 complaints, followed by “motive power” (25).
Other Hyundai Kona problems
See all Hyundai Kona problems.