2018 Hyundai Kona Complaints

ENGINE — Filed 08/17/2026

car had an engine knock at 110,000 miles and took it to a repair shop and said they are pretty sure it was an engine rod and that the whole engine needed to be replaced still waiting to get it to the dealership to see what they are going to do due to this car being a leased car and it will not run anymore.

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE — Filed 05/03/2026

I purchased a 2018 Hyundai Kona, and it has had one major issue after another. It burns an excessive amount of oil, the engine misfires, and now the turbocharger is failing. I’ve already spent approximately $2,300 repairing the air conditioner and engine, and I can’t afford thousands more in repairs.

ENGINE — Filed 06/01/2026

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, there was a loud clunking sound coming from the engine bay, followed by grinding gear sounds. The vehicle lost drive power, causing the driver to coast over to the side of the road, where the vehicle eventually stalled. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the timing belt had failed, and the cam gear rod had sheared off inside the exhaust camshaft, which caused the timing belt to jump and the cam chain tensioner to fracture. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

ENGINE — Filed 05/21/2025

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving it began to smoke, a noise was hear, put in neutral to coast down a hill and had to pull the parking break to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with defective piston oil rings, and the engine was rebuilt. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was.98,000.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE — Filed 03/01/2026

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Koa. The contact stated that while the daughter was driving the vehicle began to sputter and jerk before stalling. During the failure the oil warning light flashed off and on. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine had failed due to carbon buildup. The contact was advised that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000(ENGINE) The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 90,000.

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 04/07/2026

The vehicle suddenly stalled while driving on the highway at normal speed without warning. The engine lost power completely, creating a dangerous situation and a risk of collision with surrounding traffic. The vehicle had to be towed to a repair shop, where the issue was diagnosed as engine failure. There were no warning lights or prior symptoms before the incident. This appears to be a serious safety-related defect. I am aware that similar engine issues have been reported in Hyundai vehicles.

ENGINE — Filed 03/04/2026

The check engine light came on while driving. Vehicle was assessed by mechanic with strange diagnostic code; full oil and filter change done. Check engine light still on and engine stalled while driving on freeway. Took to dealer and was advised the car requires CVVTS (which is essentially a new engine), serpentine belt and spark plugs (approx 3600). There is a known engine defect with the 2018 Hyundai but they refuse to do as a recall and refuse discounted repair on a vehicle that 8 years old with 92,000 miles. This vehicle is owned by my young adult child and I believe it is undriveable since stalling at full speed is quite dangerous.

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE — Filed 01/04/2026

The Kona barely wants to accelerate and stalls out while driving. Even though I recently got a oil change there’s oil consumption and the oil is black as if I never got a oil change. I took it to a hyundai dealer ship, i told them what was wrong they said it’s the timing belt. When that’s not the issue. I recently took it to a mechanic to get a third opinion and to see and fix what is wrong. He declined fixing it saying there’s more to it that is wrong and looks like there’s an engine defect and even complained that the oil was so black. I told him that doesn’t make sense because I’ve been getting my oil consistently. He couldn’t fix it. So now I’m stuck with a vehicle that barely drives and stalls out while I’m on the road and it keeps burning more oil. No one knows what is wrong with it.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 01/22/2026

See attached document for complaint.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 01/23/2026

The car was burning through oil every 14 -21days. Car has been jerking and taking a while to accelerate. Went to machine to see what’s going he suggested I go to the dealership because there’s no leaks visible. But added more oil so I wouldn’t go without oil there was nothing available for me to come in right away and before my appointment my car started to speed up out of nowhere then completely slowed down then jerked until I could find a safe space to pull over. Check engine came on and the code was reading a misfire. Got a tune up still reading as a misfire now just stuck at the dealership playing guessing games with what’s wrong with the vehicle.

ENGINE — Filed 05/05/2025

On May 5, 2025, my 2018 Hyundai Kona burst into flames in my garage and completely destroyed my Kona, Dodge Ram 1500 parked adjacent to it and my home along with its contents. Both vehicles and my home were deemed “a total loss” by the insurance company. The Kona engine compartment burst into flames after a short trip to the store. If the front door had not been locked, forcing my wife to go through the garage, we would have been unaware of the fire until it had reached the interior of the house setting off the alarms. As it was, I received smoke inhalation and a partially collapsed lung while attempting to put out the fire and while trying to put the burning Kona in neutral to push it out of the garage. The 2018 Kona is not safe as it can burst into flames under normal operation and without any warning potentially resulting in injury or death of the occupants or emergency response crews. Research indicates my 2018 KONA has no recalls; however, it has the same G4FJ engine and is manufactured at the same facility as several other Hyundai models that have been recalled for fires in the engine compartment. The Hyundai Veloster has a class-action settlement for engine failure & fires. Also, the Hyundai Tucson has an ABS module fire recall and shared electrical layout. Furthermore, Australia issued a Kona fire-related recall in 2019 due to brake tube routing near the exhaust system. Fire investigators have inspected the vehicle and determined the origin of the fire is the Kona. Hyundai inspected the Kona and failed to take any responsibility nor notify other 2018 Kona owners. There was no prior warning my 2018 Kona was having any problems. The only indication was a faint burning smell my wife noticed when she got out of the vehicle to collect the mail on the day of the fire. At the time, she contributed the burning smell to the neighbors burn pile. The insurance company has removed the Kona, and it should be available for inspection at their facility.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 03/04/2024

My vehicle suffered a tire blowout on [XXX]. It was determined to be caused by ripped beading on the inner and outer part of the tire. It was also said that the damage to the tire occurred at time of initial install by improper mounting and balancing of the wheels and tired. The tires were 235/55/r17 Kelly A/S Edge M+S tubeless radial Tires manufactured in Mexico. The tires were placed on vehicle by the dealer. My safety was put at risk because 1) the tires were not manufacture recommended OEM tires. 2) No warning indicator Illuminated on the dash to indicate the tire was losing pressure. The vehicle then a month 1/2 later caught fire. Prior to the fire several warning malfunction indicators Illuminated. In addition to what was apparent electrical haywire, causing alarm sounds ( beeping), flashing lights, and warning indicators illuminating throughout the dash. The vehicle is said to be a 2018 hyundai kona petrol. Although at time of purchase and fire was equipped with a lithium ion 20h battery. I was told an inspection was done in August of 2021 by Hyundai Motor of America after fire and being towed to the local hyundai dealer, however to date 3/2024 am still denied the report and gave never been allowed to have it. The fire said to have been caused by audio installation faulty wiring to a subwoofer secured in the back of the vehicle which coincidentally was also stolen due to the repair dealer facing to secure the vehicle during repairs. The repair facility provided a work order that only listed 2 parts replaced which were two main wiring harnesses. In addition to the wire harnesses that the repair dealer is said to have replaced, there were other documented changes and replaced parts not mentioned, listed or detailed on any repair order. The original lithium ion battery had been replaced. Two- 50v main relay fuses in the relay box located in the engine compartment had been replaced. Prior to fire read HMML, after repairs read PBD01. PRT.1OF3 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/08/2021

Prt. 2continued. The TPMS sensors had been replaced, which leads me to believe that at time of tire blowout did not function Although the subwoofer was stolen from vehicle the wiring to the subwoofer was said to have caused the fire and remained intact and connected to back of the original stereo equipment. A new subwoofer was purchased and the same wiring used to plug into from before fire and the subwoofer/stereo/wiring all worked just fine. One would assume the wiring would be fried and not work properly, however it didn't at all. This lead to me investigating the vehicle on my own after not being covered under warranty and all responsibility left on me to fix the vehicle. The "2018 hyundai kona" I was sold poses numerous safety risks for every driver on the road, not just the unfortunate consumers that purchase them for the following reasons. The vehicle is affixed with a vin sticker stating the manufacturer is HMC. Hyundai motor company of Korea with a final assembly in Korea. Has a manufacture date of [XXX] and self certified by manufacturer to comply with all US fmvss and anti theft protection required at time of manufacture date. The car to date has not undergone safety crash testing performed by NHTSA. NO substantially similar vehicle is US to compare ratings to, it being 1st of its kind. The sticker also lists vehicle as passenger car, however according to manufacture rated class c and over 4,000 lbs and a Truck/SUV for classification purposes. Although sold in the US as AWD, is listed as 4×4 elsewhere. Lithium ion batteries are not standard for non hybrid or electric vehicles. No import documentation is attached to the vehicle. The hyundai kona was not placed on list of vehicle eligible to import by the NHTSA until 2020. MINE SAID TO BE REGISTERED IN WASHINGTON STATE IN 2018. The vehicles original window sticker lists part cartent as required however is not listed on the parts content list provided by the NHTSA ad required until 2020. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 03/04/2024

The 565 and 566 required to be submitted by manufacture prior to sale in US lists the vehicle manufacturer in korea, describes vehicle as a truck and weight recorded at over 33000 lbs. The vehicle has had no safety Inspections and a rather loose self certification process allows the oversight and quality assurance that the vehicle did meet fmvss and all FMVSS requirements. Simply taking a manufactures word for it does not protect innocent consumers and endangers every driver on the road. The vehicle was driven on a fully capable scale and weighed 3, 126lbs fully loaded. The vehicle has a WMI of KM8, when a WMI search on the NHTSA website through manufacture information list only the Sonata as KM8 and decodes the vin KMH in the US not KM8. The window sticker lists a port of entry as PT, however again 0 import documentation is found. The Washington State DOL states the vehicle was manufactured in the US and shipped to the dealer. However the only US hyundai manufacture plant in the US was HMMA and they according to 555 and 566 submittal do not manufacture the Kona. The kona is not listed as manufactured by any US Hyundai rather Hatci is listed as a parent company and has a submittal of a 565 and 566 listing the Kona as a truck but was not submitted until 2023. Again my vehicle was said to have been registered in washington state in 2018. A recorded conversation I had recently with NHTSA safety hotline, NHTSA representative can be heard stating not every vehicle is tested due to lack of funding. That's not safe. I have a right to know the vehicle I am driving is fit for the road. When asked why the crash testing safecar program was created, NHTSA states to ensure safe cars for consumers when the website states it allows for incentives to be offered to manufactures to produce these safer vehicle. There is no requirments to ensure that they do. And if the car isn't randomly selected to be tested, the NHTSA does not ensure it does but takes the manufacturers word

AIR BAGS — Filed 01/08/2024

I had a car collision last [XXX] when the car ahead of me made a sudden stop in the [XXX] . I was in the fastest lane when it happened and I was not protected at all because the airbag did not deploy. It resulted to pain due to contusion on my chest wall, pain on my sternum contusion on my right knee and neck strain. My insurance covered for the repair. Hyundai has told me after I asked them to check on the car that they are not going to investigate as to why the airbag did not deploy. I feel very unsafe driving it. I am very traumatized. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 04/01/2018

I was sold a car with 1 unprepared safety recall and 22 technical service bulletins. In addition to was previously salvaged sue to collision, hail, flood and fire. The vehicle also was a 2019 made into a 2018. When the ecm was reprogrammed the new vin was wiped clean and altered. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ENGINE — Filed 10/05/2023

Pulled into driveway and saw smoke coming from engine. Popped hood and saw engine block was on fire. Quickly closed the hood and called 911. Within a few minutes the car was completely engulfed. I just had the car serviced a few days earlier and prior to that i had the 60k mile maintenance service done. There was around 63k miles on the car.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,VISIBILITY/WIPER — Filed 08/08/2021

My vehicle suffered an electrical fire that wasn't covered under warranty just 2 months after I purchased it. It was inspected by the manufacturer, repair facility(licensed dealer) and insurance however I was denied the inspection report. A Hyundai warranty information sheet states my vehicle had 1 unrepaired service campaign in 6/2022 for the FCA forward collision avoidance. Which meant it was also sold to me without being disclosed. However the NHTSA website says it has 0 unrepaired recalls. Right before the electrical fire the electrical system went haywire. My safetey and my childs safety is at risk everyday I have this vehicle. Without my knowledge or consent, the dealer and my insurer choose to authorize repairs. The fact that at the time of purchase, no safety or crash testing had been completed by the NHTSA is concerning. All vehicles without NHTSA safety testing completed, prior to the 1st being sold and driven on the road puts everyone at risk. The fact that NHTSA does not require these safety tests to be conducted on every single vehicle driven in the states puts everyone at risk, not just my family. Even worse after my vehicle caught fire and caused $12,000 in damages, my car has a clean carfax. There is nothing making reporting this mandatory. insurance companies, thhe dealer/repair facilities do not have to report to the DOL or anyone for that matter that the car was involved in a fire at all. In fact the repair/dealer my vehicle went to reported it as multipoint inspection, maintainence. This puts all drivers and passengers at risk on the road. There's no question that a vehicle after having caught fire and suffered electrical problems is no doubt more susceptible to additional problems down the road. This puts all cars and people on the road in danger, not just me and my own.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 06/02/2022

We had parked our 17 year old son's car in the upper parking lot of our baseball field. While parked, the engine smoked, then spontaneously caught fire. The police arrived on sceere!!!! We totally cannot comprehend that this even happene, along with our fire department who was able to put out the pretty massive engine fire, along with some of the front being damaged as well. Our son had been driving this car to our high school and also the high school baseball field, with pretty packed lots. It unbelievable to even imagine if this happened thned to a pretty new car (22,000 miles on it). We are so very grateful that this did not happen while our 17 year old was in the car! This is truly needs to be looked into. Thank you.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/07/2021

I have owned the car for a little over a month, full warranty still on car. Two weeks into owning I noticed the steering wheel would effect the navigation, radio, camera...the console would go into a loop and keep restarting. Took in for service, the stated they would order a part. Saturday, August 7th, I was looking for a parking space in the Publix that is less than 1/2 mile from my home. As I was turning into the next lane at, approx 2 miles per hour if that ,to find a space, the steerring held tight to the right, I felt the car lurch forward and accelerated and a turbo speed. I tried the brakes, they failed, I was not able to turn the steering wheel. I accelerated at a high speed from 2mph to whatever impact was slamming into a parked car. Had anyone been putting their groceries in that car, or standing in the way of my out of control vehicle they would be dead. I have a witness statement. My car is totaled. My car, turned into a monster and would not stop nomatter what I did. Insurance inspected. I already stated the issue I took the car into prior to the accident, which was pending service. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do you the right thing and get these cars off the road. I contacted the manufacturer and filed a complaint, no response. I have researched this and HUNDREDS, THOUSANDS of complaints describing the same the same thing. I am 48, been driving since 16, zero accidents as an adult, clean driving record, purchased new cars and driven for at least 10 years... this this is the first used car I purchased, and from Hyundai that I have ever purchased. I owned this car a little over a month before the accident. I have reasearched this online, and see this is NOT an uncommon problem in Hyundai or other cars. WHY ARE YOU NOT GETTING THESE CARS OFF THE ROAD?????

ENGINE — Filed 01/01/2021

MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING UNEVENTFULLY DOWN A HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND PULLED OVER FOR NO OTHER REASON BUT TO GET GAS. WE HAVE A HIGH TECH BLUE LINK SYSTEM AND ONLY 17K MILES ON THE CAR. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS OR WARNINGS AT ALL. JUST AFTER PARKING AT THE GAS PUMP THE ENGINE STARTED SMOKING AND QUICKLY BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CAR FILLED UP WITH SMOKE AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET OUT WITHOUT A SCRATCH, BUT MY HUSBAND HAD TO JUMP BACK INTO THE BURNING VEHICLE TO PUSH IT AWAY FROM THE PUMP. TWO FIRE EXTINGUISHERS DID NOTHING TO STOP THE FLAMES, BUT WE WERE LUCKY THAT A FIRE ENGINE WAS CLOSE BY AND CAME TO FINALLY PUT IT OUT. THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS HAD STOPPED WORKING EARLY ON IN THIS INCIDENT AND THEY HAD TO SMASH THE WINDOWS TO GET BACK INTO THE CAR.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 10/11/2020

WHEN GOING FROM GAS TO BRAKE, EVEN AT LOW SPEED THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD, EVEN AFTER THE BRAKE IS COMPRESSED. I HAVE BEEN IN TWO CRASHES NOW WITH THE SAME CAR TIS HAS HAPPENED. I SEE THAT IN AUSTRALIA, OVER 4000 OF THE SAME CARS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE. TWO YEARS AGO I CRASHED INTO A TREE. THIS MORNING I CRASHED INTO MY GARAGE DOOR AND DEMOLISHED IT.

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 01/09/2020

WAS DRIVING HYUNDAI KONA DOWN THE FREEWAY. I SMELLED A BURNING SMELL, I SAW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BLINK ONCE. THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND I STARTED PULLING OVER TO THE SHOULDER. STOPPING ON THE SHOULDER, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. I EVACUATED THE CAR AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, FLAMES WERE PRESENT. IT WAS BETWEEN 2-3 MILES START TO FINISH.

SUSPENSION — Filed 07/08/2018

PRONE TO ROLLOVER WITH LOSING CONTROL OF VEHICLE, ON THE LATER MODEL KONA LIKE THE SECOND I PURCHASED THAT HAVE INSTALLED ANT-ROLLOVER BARS IN THE FRONT END. I TOTALED MY VEHICLE ON 7/8 AND WAS INJURED WITH HEAD TRAUMA

AIR BAGS — Filed 07/08/2018

UNKNOWN TYPE OF AIRBAG. THE OTHER BAG DEPLOYED. I HIT SEVERAL TREES , ONE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. THE MAIN DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING ME TO BE THROWN FORWARD AND RECEIVED HORRIFIC INJURY TO MY HEAD. BY THE WINDSHIELD COMING IN LIKE A V AND SAWING MY SCALP ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE SKULL.