2021 Hyundai KONA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
115 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
23,700 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 29 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 76 of 115 complaints (66.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 33 | 28.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 11.3% |
| Braking behavior | 10 | 8.7% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 7.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 4.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 76 |
| Unknown Or Other | 18 |
| Power Train | 13 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 3 |
| Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection | 3 |
Engine: 76; Unknown Or Other: 18; Power Train: 13; Electrical System: 10; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 3; Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 86 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 23 |
| 2022 | 18 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 | 24 |
2021: 23; 2022: 18; 2023: 12; 2024: 17; 2025: 21; 2026: 24
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 33 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 13 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11413166 · 2021-04-21 (April 21, 2021)
BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUGUST 2020. IN FEBRUARY 2021 THE CAR BEGAN TO STALL FREQUENTLY AND IT WAS RUNNING VERY LOUD. I DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS ALMOST NO OIL IN THE CAR WITH LESS THAN 5,000 MILES ON IT. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DETERMINED THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR (BUT STILL PAYING FOR IT MONTHLY) SINCE MID-FEBRUARY. IT IS NOW LATE APRIL.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11413166 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11421351 · 2021-06-18 (June 18, 2021)
After loud explosion sound, the engine stalled 3 times recently while driving and today. No brake, hard steering wheel, and almost bumped the car front of me. I took my car to a dealer last week and they said no fix despite of safety recall. Without any warning, first it happened 3 weeks ago.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11421351 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11421821 · 2021-06-22 (June 22, 2021)
I had a flat tire (passenger side right front tire). Triple AAA removed tire and replaced with my spare tire. While driving to the Hyundai dealership, massive clouds of smoke poured out of my exhaust pipe in rear of car. I also had trouble steering the car. The result of using the spare tire burned the transmission fluid (also contained metal shavings). The transmission had to be replaced along with the fluids in my car.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11421821 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11429683 · 2021-08-19 (August 19, 2021)
Transmission slip out of park I was at a complete stop in park got out of the car to get my purse an as I pull the hacker it was still locked so I came around and reached in the car to turn the car off an as I attempted to pull the key out the car started roll back drugged me about 150 feet down the inbank.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11429683 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11435237 · 2021-10-02 (October 2, 2021)
We bought the car in July and owned it 70 days and 1,530 miles. The Automatic Emergency Breaking engaged several times without any reason. Sometimes at lower speeds <40 and sometimes on the freeway >60. The last time was at 20 mph in a school zone and we were rear ended because of the unexpected stop. We had several near misses on the freeway, but the cars behind us managed to avoid us. The car has severe damage to the bumper, tailgate and Blind Spot warning, parking collision warning and rear cross traffic warning because of the accident and t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11435237 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11445933 · 2022-01-03 (January 3, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled and lost electrical power. The battery warning light, engine warning light, and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The contact waited an hour and was able to restart the vehicle and drive; however, the vehicle was shaking while driving. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehi…
Owner-reported narrative. 21,605 miles reported. Look up ODI 11445933 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11630098 · 2024-12-11 (December 11, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle started accelerating slowly. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There was an abnormal dinging sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced, and the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The mechanic recommended additional testing. The…
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11630098 at NHTSA ↗