Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · 2 NHTSA variants

2019 Hyundai KonaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 252 owner complaints for the 2019 Hyundai Kona. Most complaints involve engine (143) and electrical system (60). The EPA rates it 27–120 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
27–120mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Nov 2026
Owner complaints
252
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: traction battery

Park outsideRemedy pending

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Kona Electric and 2020 Ioniq Electric vehicles. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery may short-circuit.

Electrical systemReported Mar 1, 2021NHTSA 21V127000

Electrical system: management system

Park outsideFree remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Kona Electric vehicles. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery may short-circuit.

Electrical systemReported Oct 13, 2020NHTSA 20V630000

Air bags: air bag

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Veloster N, 2019-2023 Kona Electric vehicles. A software error in the air bag control unit (ACU) may improperly deactivate the air bag system and seat belt pretensioners.

Air bagsReported Nov 3, 2026NHTSA 26V728000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

252 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2018 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine143
  2. Electrical system60
  3. Power train24
  4. Fuel/propulsion system20
  5. Vehicle speed control10
  6. Forward collision avoidance10
  7. Engine and engine cooling9
  8. Service brakes7
  9. Lane departure6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Kona model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201875
2019252
2020189
2021147
2022124
202371
202468
202530
202611
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

143 reports2 crashes4 fires
“I have a 2019 Kona that has an issue with excessive oil consumption. I know that Hyundai issued a recall for this problem in 2019 Konas, but they claim my car isn’t included in that recall, and they refuse to help me. It feels like a scam on Hyundai’s part. my plate is: [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2026Unknown or other, EngineODI 11773427

Electrical system

60 reports2 crashes2 fires
“Vehicle (2019 Kona) is subject to Recall 203 (piston ring/bore defect). On XXX Puente Hills Hyundai refused the mandatory physcial inspection, instead attempting to charge $1,100 for 'leak repairs.' An independent inspection by Valvoline on XXX confirmed the engine is dry with no leaks, proving the dealer's claim was fraudulent. Following a recent ECU update, the vehicle triggered a P0420 code—a known symptom of the internal engine damage covered by Recall 203. My Hyundai Corporate Case (#XXX) is currently stalled as the dealer refuses to provide technician notes or perform the safety inspection. I am operating an unsafe vehicle with documented internal mechanical failure. Requesting immediate intervention for a physical cylinder inspection. Please refer to the attached document (SUMMARY OF EVENTS) for the full chronology, supporting evidence, and email correspondence related to the dealership's refusal to perform Recall 203. See attached PDF (Evidence_Email_Correspondence) for documentation of the dealership's refusal to provide technician notes and their unprofessional communication regarding this safety recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 4, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11742104

Power train

24 reports1 crash
“My 2019 Hyundai Kona (VIN: [XXX]) experiences violent shaking and complete engine stalling in active traffic when braking, creating an immediate safety hazard on public roads. This directly mirrors the failure mechanics of Safety Recall 203 ([XXX]). Upon inspection, physical evidence of massive silver aluminum metal flakes was discovered clogging the VVT solenoid mesh screens, originating from internal cylinder/piston ring degradation. However, the dealership Universal Hyundai in [XXX] (RO# XXX) issued a fraudulent diagnostic report stating 'no metal found' to evade recall liability. Hyundai Motor America subsequently closed corporate case XXXwithout an internal engine or borescope inspection. I have retrieved the vehicle under financial protest and possess full photographic evidence of the aluminum contamination.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11772551
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
Electric motor · 1.6L 4-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (A1) · Automatic (AM7) · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Electricity · Regular Gasoline
EV range
258 mi (EPA)

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Kona Electric
Auto (A1) · Front-Wheel Drive
132108120$650—
Kona FWD
Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
283230$2,100303
Kona FWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273330$2,100300
Kona AWD
Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
262927$2,300324
Kona AWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
253027$2,300325
  • Kona Electric
    Auto (A1)
    132 city · 108 hwy · $650/yr
    120
    mpg comb.
  • Kona FWD
    Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    28 city · 32 hwy · $2,100/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Kona FWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    27 city · 33 hwy · $2,100/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Kona AWD
    Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    26 city · 29 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Kona AWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    25 city · 30 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

3 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Hyundai Kona SUV FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.1%
Overall
5 / 5
Hyundai Kona SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
13.6%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 13638Vehicle 13637Vehicle 13642
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2019 Kona questions

How many recalls does the 2019 Hyundai Kona have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2019 Hyundai Kona problems?

Owners filed 252 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (143), electrical system (60), power train (24). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Hyundai Kona get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Hyundai Kona at 27–120 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

How safe is the 2019 Hyundai Kona?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Hyundai Kona 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026