Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Hyundai Kona owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The driver was unable to restart the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The contact stated that the mechanic had not diagnosed the vehicle; however, an oil change was performed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the check engine warning light remained constantly illuminated. The contact that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer and two software updates were performed as per the manufacturer recalls on the vehicle, but the contact was informed that the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) could not be performed. The contact stated that the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. …
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that on several occasion while driving at various speeds or coming to a stop, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be serviced under TSB 22-01-043H (Engine Monitoring Logic) and the mechanic was made aware of the failure; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure was recurring and that the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light was illuminated without any vehicles nearby. The contact stated that the vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the camshaft sensor and exhaust sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to a second independent mechanic, who confirmed the diagnosis. …
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the dealer informed the contact that they were overbooked and could only schedule the recall repair in late October. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, she heard abnormal knocking sounds coming from under the hood. The contact was unsure whether a warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The contact also stated that whenever the vehicle was overheating, the vehicle shuttered violently while driving. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they could only complete the recall repair in 19 days. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact than noticed that the checking engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and the oil warning light flashed twice on the instrument panel. The contact was able to pull into a service station and had the vehicle towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that whenever the last oil change was performed, the drain cap was not replaced, causing severe damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the failure was not similar to the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 18,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there were clicking noises heard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The dealer performed an oil consumption test after 1,000 miles on two separate occasions and diagnosed that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. In the first oil consumption test, it was found that the vehicle had consumed 3 quarts of oil after 1,000 miles. The second oil consumption test found that the vehicle had consumed 2 quarts of oil after 1,000 miles. The vehicle was not repaired, and the dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer wanted a third oil consumption test after 1,000 miles before the recall would be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was making an abnormal sound and the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. Additionally, the brakes were making abnormal squeaking sounds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer performed an engine inspection test and the brake pads were replaced. However, the dealer informed the contact that it was safe to drive the vehicle with the steering wheel making abnormal noise. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case and informed the contact that the Piston Noise Sensing System software for the recall was available for update. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine); however, the recall repair failed to prevent the failure from occurring. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to restart using the ignition key. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, Capital Hyundai of Greensboro (801 E Bessemer Ave, Greensboro, NC 27405), where it remained for further diagnosis. The contact stated that during the prior recall repair, the Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) assembly, Engine Control Module (ECM), and Body Control Module (BCM) were replaced, a solenoid was installed, and the engine was inspected but not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle started to lag while depressing the accelerator pedal with several unknown warning lights illuminated. Upon restart of the vehicle, the contact drove slowly back to her home where several warning lights illuminated again on the instrument. The vehicle was driven to a local dealer where it remained since the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who replaced the turbocharger, but the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was later examined by an independent mechanic who determined that the pistons were faulty. No further information was available. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failures. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (ENGINE). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 127,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. While the contact's son was driving the vehicle on the highway at an undisclosed speed, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine and the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The gear shifter was shifted into neutral(N) and restarted; however, the engine failed shortly afterwards, and the vehicle was unable to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with piston rings failure and low engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, where it was confirmed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine); however, the recall repair was already performed. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.
Related recalls
Engine
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021.
Engine complaints in other Kona years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2020 Hyundai Kona?
NHTSA has 112 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2020 Hyundai Kona, 70% of the model year's 161 complaints. The component named most often is engine › oil/lubrication (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2020 Hyundai Kona engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-301 (engine, Apr 28, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2020 Hyundai Kona engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 17,000 miles, and 68% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.