2021 Hyundai Kona problems and recalls

67% of owner complaints on the 2021 Hyundai Kona related to the Engine (80 of 120).

120
Complaints
1
Recalls
2
Crash reports
3
Fire reports
3
Injuries
50.4
Severity index

Severity index 50.4 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 50.4p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 61 of 94 by severity index among 2021 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 35% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2021 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 80 complaints (66.7%)80 67%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 19 complaints (15.8%)19 16%Power TrainPower Train: 14 complaints (11.7%)14 12%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 11 complaints (9.2%)11 9%Forward Collision Avoid…Forward Collision Avoidance: 5 complaints (4.2%)5 4%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 5 complaints (4.2%)5 4%Service BrakesService Brakes: 4 complaints (3.3%)4 3%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 4 complaints (3.3%)4 3%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE8066.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1915.8%
POWER TRAIN1411.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM119.2%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE54.2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM54.2%
SERVICE BRAKES43.3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL43.3%

Complaints filed per year

014292021: 232022: 182023: 122024: 172025: 212026: 29 (partial year)21222324252629
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
202123
202218
202312
202417
202521
2026 (year to date)29
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2021 to 2022 (50 against 41).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
21V30100028/04/2021ENGINEHyundai 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.

Other Hyundai Kona model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 8 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-10-23. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.