2020 Hyundai KONA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Hyundai KONA has 191 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.4x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (53% of all complaints), specifically: in june i took the car back to the dealership because of a loud ticking noise. i then thought it was the oil level was low... when they checked to see it i needed an oil change they stated i need to have at least 7500 miles on the vehicle before i can get an oil change. they stated that my oil level. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 7 crash reports 9 injuries

191

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

102 complaints

53%

• IN JUNE I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF A LOUD TICKING NOISE. I THEN THOUGHT IT WAS THE OIL LEVEL WAS LOW... WHEN THEY CHECKED TO SEE IT I NEEDED AN OIL CHANGE THEY STATED I NEED TO HAVE AT LEAST 7500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE BEFORE I CAN GET AN OIL CHANGE. THEY STATED THAT MY OIL LEVEL
• BOUGHT NEW CAR JULY 2020, WAS GOOD FOR A LITTLE WHILE THEN STARTED TO HAVE LOUD TICKING NOISE UNDER HOOD. BROUGHT CAR IN FOR SERVICE AT 3100 (APPROX) MILES HAD A FEW ISSUES AT THIS SERVICE, MAIN WAS NOISE. WAS TOLD MECHANIC LOOKED UNDER HEARD NOISE (AS DID FRONT DESK REP) AND MECHANIC SAID IT WAS NO
• DEALERSHIP HAS HAD MY 2020 KONA SINCE NOVEMBER 12, 2020..SECOND TIME IN FOR SERVICE ON VEHICLE SAME ISSUE, FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD LOUD TICKING NOISE COMING FROM MOTOR WAS NORMAL. BROUGHT BACK AGAIN SECOND TIME AS NOISE WAS GETTING LOUDER, EVEN SENT THEM NOISE VIDEOS OF SOUND, THEY COULD NOT LOCATE AN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“IN JUNE I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF A LOUD TICKING NOISE. I THEN THOUGHT IT WAS THE OIL LEVEL WAS LOW... WHEN THEY CHECKED TO SEE IT I NEEDED AN OIL CHANGE THEY STATED I NEED TO HAVE AT LEAST 7500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE BEFORE I CAN GET AN OIL CHANGE. THEY STATED THAT MY OIL LEVEL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

18 complaints

• WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, A MESSAGE "COLLISION DETECTION SYSTEM FAILURE" FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND THE BRAKES SLAMMED ON FULL, FOLLOWED BY THE TRANSMISSION STUCK IN 4TH GEAR. I HAD TO LEAVE THE HIGHWAY, AND POWER OFF THE ENGINE - EFFECTIVELY REBOOTING THE CAR. I CONTINUED ON TO WORK BUT I SHU
• The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving the vehicle stalled. The gear shifter was stuck in reverse and drive. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the contact the vehicle was working as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle
• After driving the car for several hours, I arrived at my destination and as I was parking the vehicle, it would not move when put in reverse. I received a message on the dashboard that said, “transmission problem detected.” I had the car towed the nearest Hyundai dealer. They diagnosed the issue a

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, A MESSAGE "COLLISION DETECTION SYSTEM FAILURE" FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND THE BRAKES SLAMMED ON FULL, FOLLOWED BY THE TRANSMISSION STUCK IN 4TH GEAR. I HAD TO LEAVE THE HIGHWAY, AND POWER OFF THE ENGINE - EFFECTIVELY REBOOTING THE CAR. I CONTINUED ON TO WORK BUT I SHU”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

17 complaints

• MY 6 MONTH OLD, HYUNDAI 2020 KONA THAT I BOUGHT IN JULY OF 2020 WITH ONLY 7000 MILES ON IT HAD ITS ENGINE FAIL AS I WAS DRIVING MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO A MECHANIC. NO INDICATION LIGHTS CAME ON TELLING ME THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILED. THE
• The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving at 20 MPH, the AEB system inadvertently engaged causing the vehicle to decelerate and accelerate on its own. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The
• My Car Has Had Problems With The Starter It Would Not Start At Times My Car Has Been Checked By Priority Acura On They My Starter Needed To Be Replaced At At Times My Car Has Trouble Picking Up Speed Consumer stated vehicle was diagnosed in June 8th, 2021. Today different issues occurring all wind

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“MY 6 MONTH OLD, HYUNDAI 2020 KONA THAT I BOUGHT IN JULY OF 2020 WITH ONLY 7000 MILES ON IT HAD ITS ENGINE FAIL AS I WAS DRIVING MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO A MECHANIC. NO INDICATION LIGHTS CAME ON TELLING ME THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILED. THE ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

11 complaints

• BOUGHT NEW CAR JULY 2020, WAS GOOD FOR A LITTLE WHILE THEN STARTED TO HAVE LOUD TICKING NOISE UNDER HOOD. BROUGHT CAR IN FOR SERVICE AT 3100 (APPROX) MILES HAD A FEW ISSUES AT THIS SERVICE, MAIN WAS NOISE. WAS TOLD MECHANIC LOOKED UNDER HEARD NOISE (AS DID FRONT DESK REP) AND MECHANIC SAID IT WAS NO
• GOT A NOTICE ABOUT ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM TO TAKE CAR TO DEALERSHIP. PREVIOUS WE WERE HAVING POOR GAS MILEAGE. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP IT HAD TO BREAK IN. WE PURCHASED IT AT THE END OF MAY. FIRST NOTICE CAME IN EARLY MARCH AND CALLED DEALER FOR APPT. WAS TOLD TO WAIT AS MILEAGE WAS NOT YET 6,000 MILES
• My Car Has Had Problems With The Starter It Would Not Start At Times My Car Has Been Checked By Priority Acura On They My Starter Needed To Be Replaced At At Times My Car Has Trouble Picking Up Speed Consumer stated vehicle was diagnosed in June 8th, 2021. Today different issues occurring all wind

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“BOUGHT NEW CAR JULY 2020, WAS GOOD FOR A LITTLE WHILE THEN STARTED TO HAVE LOUD TICKING NOISE UNDER HOOD. BROUGHT CAR IN FOR SERVICE AT 3100 (APPROX) MILES HAD A FEW ISSUES AT THIS SERVICE, MAIN WAS NOISE. WAS TOLD MECHANIC LOOKED UNDER HEARD NOISE (AS DID FRONT DESK REP) AND MECHANIC SAID IT WAS NO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

9 complaints

• WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, A MESSAGE "COLLISION DETECTION SYSTEM FAILURE" FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND THE BRAKES SLAMMED ON FULL, FOLLOWED BY THE TRANSMISSION STUCK IN 4TH GEAR. I HAD TO LEAVE THE HIGHWAY, AND POWER OFF THE ENGINE - EFFECTIVELY REBOOTING THE CAR. I CONTINUED ON TO WORK BUT I SHU
• FRONT-COLLISION WARNING LIGHT KICKS ON WHILE GOING 45-50MPH. NO OBSTRUCTIONS. BRAKES ENGAGE, STUCK IN 4TH GEAR. MUST PULL OVER AND RESTART CAR TO RESET. OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY, BUT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST WEEKLY FOR THE LAST 6 WEEKS. IN AND OUT OF DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. BRAND NEW VEHICLE.
• I was getting onto the highway the other night and all of a sudden my whole instrument panel went completely black, speed,rpm, fuel level, and water temperature were not registering on the panel. I tested my turn signals and noticed those weren’t working as well. I also lost my lane keep assist in t

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~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 191 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: IN JUNE I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF A LOUD TICKING NOISE. I THEN THOUGHT IT WAS THE OIL LEVEL WAS LOW... WHEN THEY CHECKED TO SEE IT I NEEDED AN OIL CHANGE THEY STATED I NEED TO HAVE AT LEAST 7500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE BEFORE I CAN GET AN OIL CHANGE. THEY STATED THAT MY OIL LEVEL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, A MESSAGE "COLLISION DETECTION SYSTEM FAILURE" FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND THE BRAKES SLAMMED ON FULL, FOLLOWED BY THE TRANSMISSION STUCK IN 4TH GEAR. I HAD TO LEAVE THE HIGHWAY, AND POWER OFF THE ENGINE - EFFECTIVELY REBOOTING THE CAR. I CONTINUED ON TO WORK BUT I SHU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: MY 6 MONTH OLD, HYUNDAI 2020 KONA THAT I BOUGHT IN JULY OF 2020 WITH ONLY 7000 MILES ON IT HAD ITS ENGINE FAIL AS I WAS DRIVING MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO A MECHANIC. NO INDICATION LIGHTS CAME ON TELLING ME THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILED. THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: BOUGHT NEW CAR JULY 2020, WAS GOOD FOR A LITTLE WHILE THEN STARTED TO HAVE LOUD TICKING NOISE UNDER HOOD. BROUGHT CAR IN FOR SERVICE AT 3100 (APPROX) MILES HAD A FEW ISSUES AT THIS SERVICE, MAIN WAS NOISE. WAS TOLD MECHANIC LOOKED UNDER HEARD NOISE (AS DID FRONT DESK REP) AND MECHANIC SAID IT WAS NO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)