Is the 2019 Hyundai KONA reliable?

The 2019 Hyundai KONA has 240 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2019 Hyundai KONA?

Top problems: ENGINE (133 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (20 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (18 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2019 Hyundai KONA?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): ENGINE. Contact any Hyundai dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2019 Hyundai KONA?

The 2019 Hyundai KONA gets 27 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1778. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2019 Hyundai KONA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2019 Hyundai KONA is approximately $1,652/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2019 Hyundai KONA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2019 Hyundai KONA has 240 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.7x the segment average of 139. The most common issue is engine problems (55% of all complaints), specifically: a couple hundred miles after purchasing a new kona, i had started having acceleration issues going from a dead stop into first gear .as the car starts to go, this is under 5 mph, the car then hesitates as if someone is hitting the brakes. i have almost been rear ended several times due to this. it . There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 5 fire reports filed.

5 fire reports 14 crash reports 10 injuries

240

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

133 complaints

55%

• A COUPLE HUNDRED MILES AFTER PURCHASING A NEW KONA, I HAD STARTED HAVING ACCELERATION ISSUES GOING FROM A DEAD STOP INTO FIRST GEAR .AS THE CAR STARTS TO GO, THIS IS UNDER 5 MPH, THE CAR THEN HESITATES AS IF SOMEONE IS HITTING THE BRAKES. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THIS. IT
• AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP LIGHT I PRESSED MY BRAKE PEDALS I FELT A SHUDDER THROUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND MY CAR DIED. THIS OCCURRED THREE TIMES IN A SHORT. OF TIME. THIS OCCURRED THREE TIMES IN A SHORT. OF TIME I WAS ON A HIGHWAY AND IT WAS VERY DISCONCERTING I WAS ABLE TO FINALLY GET IT BACK HOME.
• VEHICLE STALLS WITH A/C RUNNING ON TURNS. IT IS INTERMITTENT ISSUE. BY PUTTING VEHICLE BACK IN NEUTRAL VEHICLE RESTARTS RIGHT AWAY. THIS HAPPENS NORMALLY IN HOTTER WEATHER. CALLED DEALER AND TAKEN VEHICLE IN AND CAN NOT DUPLICATE. SO NO FIX. THIS IS A 2019 HYUNDAI KONA WITH 19,500 MILES. OTHERS ON H

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 3 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“A COUPLE HUNDRED MILES AFTER PURCHASING A NEW KONA, I HAD STARTED HAVING ACCELERATION ISSUES GOING FROM A DEAD STOP INTO FIRST GEAR .AS THE CAR STARTS TO GO, THIS IS UNDER 5 MPH, THE CAR THEN HESITATES AS IF SOMEONE IS HITTING THE BRAKES. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THIS. IT ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2019 Hyundai KONA

Based on 69 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 37K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 2K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

High-mileage issuemedian 70K mi · 47 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

ENGINE28/04/2021

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2019 Hyundai KONA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,778

Per month

$148

Per mile

14.8¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,920/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,600/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2019 Hyundai KONA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,652

Full coverage / month

$138

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

-1%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1652

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Hyundai KONA Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (1.6T, 2.0T) need premium fuel and more frequent oil (some owners service at 5,000 miles).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Hyundai New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

7 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / unlimited mi

10 years/100K powertrain warranty is transferable only to first purchaser after initial owner

These are the terms for a new Hyundai. If you're buying a used 2019 KONA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Hyundai dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 240 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: A COUPLE HUNDRED MILES AFTER PURCHASING A NEW KONA, I HAD STARTED HAVING ACCELERATION ISSUES GOING FROM A DEAD STOP INTO FIRST GEAR .AS THE CAR STARTS TO GO, THIS IS UNDER 5 MPH, THE CAR THEN HESITATES AS IF SOMEONE IS HITTING THE BRAKES. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THIS. IT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: STARTUP AND DRIVING FOR 15 MINUTES BCW WARNING SYSTEM DISABLED RADAR BLOCKED MESSAGE COMES ON, YIELD SIGN WITH EXCLAIMATION POINT COMES ON, AND THE BUTTON THAT TURNS THE SYSTEM ON/OFF LEFT OF STEERING WHEEL GOES OUT ERROR STAYS APPROX 20-25 MINUTES AND THEN RESETS ITSELF PULLING OFF ROAD, AND RESTA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI KONA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM SUDDENLY ACTIVATED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY SLOW DOWN. ALSO, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED AND THE DOORS WOULD NOT AUTOMATIC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: CAR AT TIMES WILL NOT ACCELERATE FROM A STOP FOR 2 TO 3 SECONDS AFTER ACCLERATER IS PUSH.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Hyundai dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)