Is the 2020 Hyundai KONA reliable?

The 2020 Hyundai KONA has 191 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2020 Hyundai KONA?

Top problems: ENGINE (102 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (18 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (17 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2020 Hyundai KONA?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): ENGINE, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. Contact any Hyundai dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Hyundai KONA?

The 2020 Hyundai KONA gets 28 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1714. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2020 Hyundai KONA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2020 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.

2020 Hyundai KONA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Hyundai KONA has 191 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.4x the segment average of 139. 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. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 7 crash reports 9 injuries

191

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

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

When Problems Appear on the 2020 Hyundai KONA

Based on 52 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 11K 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+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 12K mi · 32 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 (2)

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 2020 Hyundai KONA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,715

Per month

$143

Per mile

14.3¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,847/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 2020 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 2020 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

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
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Hyundai dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)