Problems · NHTSA complaints

2020 Hyundai Kona problems

Owners filed 189 complaints about the 2020 Hyundai Kona with NHTSA between Feb 2020 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (110).

Complaints
189
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
12
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine110
  2. Electrical system28
  3. Power train23
  4. Forward collision avoidance12
  5. Service brakes8
  6. Vehicle speed control7
  7. Steering7
  8. Fuel/propulsion system6
  9. Engine and engine cooling4
  10. Suspension2
  11. Structure2
  12. Lane departure2
  13. Wheels2
  14. Air bags2

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
202017
202174
202214
202315
202411
202530
202628

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

110 reports3 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“My 2020 Kona 2.OL failed an oil test losing 2.5 quarts in 960 miles, stalled on the highway, and blows oil out the tailpipe. Hyundai (Case #43141313) is denying repair coverage because my VIN was excluded from Recall 21V301000. This recall needs to be expanded to include my VIN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2026EngineODI 11773096

Electrical system

28 reports2 related recalls
“While driving approximately 70 mph on I-10 in Louisiana late at night, my 2020 Hyundai Kona EV displayed a “Check EV System” warning while I was on the highway. There were no safe areas or emergency shoulders available to pull over, so I continued driving toward the nearest exit. Approximately 15 minutes after the warning appeared, as I attempted to exit the highway, the vehicle suddenly lost power and rapidly slowed. The vehicle came to a complete stop and could not accelerate, move forward, or reverse. This created a serious safety risk because the vehicle lost propulsion while traveling at highway speed. The vehicle had approximately 62,000 miles at the time of the incident. The vehicle was towed to Giles Hyundai where the dealership diagnosed an internal temperature sensor and resolver failure. Because these components are integrated into the drive system, the dealership replaced the entire traction motor assembly. The repair cost was approximately $9,000. The sudden loss of propulsion at highway speed created a dangerous situation for both the driver and surrounding traffic.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 4, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11722050

Power train

23 reports1 fire
“I am filing a safety complaint against Scott Stark’s South Point Hyundai for selling me a vehicle with an active open safety recall, a blown transmission, an A/C failure, and a dry-rotted tire. Before returning the car for service under a promised 1,000-mile warranty, my sister, who has worked for Corporate Hyundai for 15 years, helped me conduct a full intake baseline inspection at her dealership. We performed a recorded 360-degree video inspection, took high-resolution photos of every square inch, and ran full computer diagnostics, which confirmed zero tool marks on any bolts under the hood or on the transmission, and all diagnostic readings were perfectly recorded. South Point Hyundai kept my vehicle for 10 days for repairs, making excuses about test drives and failing to find technicians. However, a hidden GPS tracker tucked deep under my passenger side carpet meticulously documented every single time the vehicle moved or remained completely stationary on their lot. Upon picking up the vehicle, my sister scanned the car immediately with her diagnostic computer. The readings are now completely erratic and all over the place compared to the baseline corporate…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 4, 2026Suspension, Power train, EngineODI 11754634

Forward collision avoidance

12 reports1 crash
“many times a year, without warning, vehicle dash lights turn off and light up like a christmas tree, followed by fca warning sound and lights going off, and a loud mechanical thud. Lose engine throttle going highway speeds. This can occur at nearly any speed without warning. Car must be powered off and back on to get normalcy. This puts me, everyone in the car and everyone on the highway at risk. Dealership was not able to reproduce or pull error codes.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 3, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11715307

Service brakes

8 reports1 crash
“I am receiving an intermittent "check regenerative brake" message. The message will clear automatically and then reappear every three to four weeks. An internet search reveals this is a common error for the Kona. Most people report no repair by the dealer. In several cases, the brakes stopped working, resulting in collisions. The hydraulic breaks do not work if the regenerative brake system fails leaving you with no way to stop the car. The manufacture has no solution.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 27, 2026Service brakesODI 11740362

Vehicle speed control

7 reports3 crashes
“The vehicle all shut off as I slowed down for a stop sign. Put in Park turn the key off restarted it got to the next stop sign same thing. Also the red light same had to shut it off put it in put in Park shut off and then restart and step on the gas so I can get through before a car hit me. Happened several times till I finally got the car home done it started knocking loudly and shut off just as I got into my driveway. Check the oil. The oil is fine. Occasionally the oil light would come on if you put in Dr.. It is knocking really loud. The engine light keeps flashing constantly. I called Brown Dobb Hyundai in Easton Pennsylvania. They told me this recall has nothing to do with my car because of the VIN number. But everything that is happening to it is is under recall 187. But because of the VIN number they are insisting it’s not my car. What can I do before I get in an accident? I don’t have any other cars to rely on. I have a son with Autism and I am a single mother. What else can I do? I had this car not even three months.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 12, 2026Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11737318
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

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