2021 Hyundai Kona
Common Problems
Ranked from 52 federal NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
11 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Engine Stall and Loss of Power
15complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine stalls unexpectedly while driving, often at low speeds or during acceleration, leading to loss of power.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V301000
- 2
Engine Knocking and Unusual Noises
12complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine produces knocking and unusual noises, often accompanied by oil consumption and engine light illumination.
Related recall: 21V301000
- 3
Engine Oil Consumption and Piston Ring Failure
10complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine consumes an excessive amount of oil, leading to piston ring failures and potential engine damage.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V301000
- 4
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Stop-Start System Failure
8complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine frequently stalls at idle, especially when the stop-start system is engaged.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V301000
- 5
Engine Overheating and Oil Consumption
7complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine overheats and consumes excessive amounts of oil, leading to potential engine failure.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V301000
- 6
Steering Column Noise and Issues
7complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering column produces noise and may have bearing or rack and pinion problems, affecting vehicle stability.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 7
Transmission Jerking and Downshifting Issues
7complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission jerks and downshifts unexpectedly, causing the vehicle to lunge forward and lose power.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
Check Engine Light and Unintended Downshifting
5complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe check engine light illuminates, indicating issues such as unintended downshifting, which can lead to loss of control.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Engine Failure and Complete Shutdown
5complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine fails completely while driving, leading to a loss of power and inability to restart the vehicle.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V301000
- 10
Transmission Not Engaging Properly
5complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission does not engage properly, resulting in delayed response and loss of power.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Engine stall during driving due to recall repair delay
4complaintsMedium severityEngineMultiple contacts reported engine stalling during driving, attributing it to the delayed availability of parts for a recall repair.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V301000
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.