Engine And Engine Cooling Problems of Hyundai Kona - part 1

2021 Hyundai Kona, VIN [xxx], 45,575 miles. Engine unexpectedly stalled while driving on 45 mph road and stopped at a light. Oil-pressure warning appeared when the engine stalled. Upon checking afterward, the oil level was below the measurable dipstick range with only droplets visible. Approximately 3. 5 quarts were added. Vehicle restarted and was driven home. While idling at home, pressing the accelerator caused the engine to stall again. Vehicle had received an oil change at 39,073 miles and oil had also been checked and topped off approximately six months earlier. Cause has not yet been diagnosed. Hyundai VIN lookup currently shows no open or closed safety campaigns. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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The engine was spewing oil into the air filter and also out of a hose near the turbo. It was also consuming high amounts of oil, yes its available for inspection. I was driving on a busy public highway and my car lost power and would not accelerate no the problem has not been confirmed as of yet vehicle has not received official inspection yet there was zero warning lamps, messages, or any indicator of any kind that there was a problem. There still isnt.

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I received the recall, brought the Kona in had the software download. Now the engine code indicates engine issues with the safety code. Hyundai customer service representatives stars because the issue wasn't found and the software download completed this doesn't fall under the recall. I do have an appointment to bring the Kona into the dealership but because Hyundai states it is no longer under the recall I am responsible for the towing and will not be remembursed. When I initially brought the vehicle in I was told if the pistons and engine codes appears under the recall layer on towing and replacement of the engine is covered. I was also told my engine covered up to 150,000 miles. Even through I only have 65,000 hyndai dealer and customer service stated it is not as this is only if the engine showed signs at the time of the software download. This is absolutely wrong to be treated like this and been advised by my local mechanic this does appear to be part of the recall, will deregulate, or engine could seize up causing a safety issue.

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The contact's daughter owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 40 mph, smoke started coming from under the hood. The vehicle lost power and came to a stop in front of a convenience store, blocking the entrance. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The driver called the fire department, and it was confirmed that the engine compartment displayed severe heating damage. There was no fire. The firemen on the scene recommended that the vehicle be towed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the failure was a known failure and might be covered under an extended warranty program. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized. No electrical failure was found. The dealer initially offered to cover 95% of the cost of the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to cover 85% of the cost of the repair, but the contact declined. The contact stated that the knock sensor detection system (ksds) software update had previously been completed on the vehicle; however, the update failed to prevent the engine failure. The manufacturer informed the contact that the extended warranty could not be applied due to a transfer of ownership to the contact's daughter. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

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 readings we documented 10 days prior. Physical inspection reveals that bolts have been turned, internal components have been actively tampered with, and parts have been structurally altered. The evidence directly indicates that this dealership used my personal vehicle as an unauthorized parts donor vehicle to harvest components, severely compromising its mechanical integrity, structural reliability, and overall road safety. This severe tampering has left the vehicle completely unsafe to operate. We possess full video evidence, high-resolution photographs, gps tracking logs, and comparative corporate Hyundai diagnostic data verifying this severe mechanical fraud. I have turned this info over to corporate Hyundai, the dmv, and federal enforcement agencies due to safety risks.

Component/system: air conditioning (hvac) / climate control system and closed-loop refrigerant lines. The vehicle and all climate control components are available for immediate inspection. Safety risk: total loss of cooling in peak summer heat (90°f-95°f+) causes cabin temperatures to rapidly exceed 110°f. This sudden heat trapped in the vehicle caused me (the driver) acute heat exhaustion, culminating in a medical fainting episode. The vehicle regularly transports my newborn baby and toddler, subjecting them to severe heatstroke risks. Additionally, an ongoing 4-year chemical refrigerant leak inside an enclosed ev cabin creates an active toxic inhalation hazard for all passengers. Dealer confirmation: yes. The failure has been repeatedly confirmed and documented by authorized Hyundai dealerships, including paramus Hyundai, garvey Hyundai, and liberty Hyundai. Technicians repeatedly measured zero refrigerant charge/pressure, performed uv dye tests, and completed major repairs including ac line and radiator rebuilds without resolving the leak. Inspection history: yes. Inspected multiple times by authorized Hyundai dealership technicians under official corporate case nos #42549212, #41020884, and #23781133. Warning lamps/symptoms: no dashboard warning lamps or error messages ever appeared. The only symptom was the ac suddenly blowing boiling hot air as refrigerant leaked out. This failure first appeared in summer 2022 (shortly after vehicle purchase) and has recurred every summer for 4 consecutive years despite repeated warranty repair attempts.

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I was driving to work on a normal day under normal circumstances when a check engine light won my dashboard. Seconds later my car started showing car is over heating. I immediately swayed from the speed lane to the side of the road almost getting into a crash as other vehicles were at full speeds behind me. I immediately called dealership and made an appointment. My vehicle experienced a premature failure of the cooling coolant valve, a critical component of the engine cooling system. This failure resulted in diagnostic trouble codes, warning messages, and concerns regarding the reliability of the vehicle. A component of this importance should not fail on a vehicle that is only three years old and has been properly maintained. When I brought the vehicle to an authorized Hyundai dealership, I was required to pay a $248 diagnostic fee simply to identify the failed component. After the diagnosis, I was presented with an estimated repair cost of approximately $1,600 to replace the defective coolant valve and associated parts. I believe these charges are unreasonable because the failure appears to involve a defective component rather than normal wear and tear. Consumers should not be expected to pay significant diagnostic and repair costs for a major cooling system component that fails prematurely. I have also learned that Hyundai has issued recalls and/or service campaigns affecting certain other vehicles for cooling system-related issues. However, my vehicle is apparently not included in those actions, despite experiencing a similar premature failure. While I understand that recalls apply only to specific vehicles and conditions, I respectfully request that investigators determine whether the defect affecting my vehicle is related to those existing actions or whether additional vehicles, including my 2023 Hyundai Kona, should be evaluated for expanded coverage. My research also indicates that other Hyundai Kona owners have reported similar coolant valve fail.

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The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 mph while making a turn, the vehicle stalled. Several warning lights illuminated but turned off after the vehicle was restarted. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The contact stated that several independent mechanics were notified of the failure; however, an appointment was denied due to the absence of illuminated warning lights. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer. The dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle lost motive power and went into limp mode before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted and resumed normal functionality. While depressing the accelerator, the vehicle lunged forward. The contact depressed the brake pedal and regained control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 770.

The vehicle suffered a sudden, severe loss of power while driving, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly. This created an immediate hazard to myself and other motorists on the road, as I was forced to navigate a dead vehicle out of active traffic without power steering or power braking assist. Prior to the total failure, the engine exhibited severe mechanical knocking, loss of acceleration, and high oil consumption without any visible external oil leaks. This engine failure is a direct result of the manufacturing defect detailed in NHTSA safety recall 203 (NHTSA campaign 21v301000) concerning improperly heat-treated piston oil rings that cause severe cylinder scuffing and engine stall. Although the software update (campaign 974) was previously completed on this VIN, the physical defect was never mechanically repaired. The software update failed to prevent the physical, defectively manufactured components from destroying the engine. Hyundai is refusing to honor the safety campaign and replace the failed engine because the recall database incorrectly lists the recall status as "completed. ".

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph on the highway, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to pull over to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving into a parking lot. The battery warning light illuminated on several occasions. Additionally, the contact stated that the check engine and low oil pressure warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to auto zone and to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the piston oil ring failure had caused low oil pressure, which resulted in the timing failure. The failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 21v301000 (engine). The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure but denied a loaner vehicle or towing assistance to the dealer located 75 miles away. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

I am writing to express my frustration and concern regarding my 2021 Hyundai Kona, which currently has only 88,754 miles. My vehicle has been experiencing excessive oil consumption along with an ongoing check engine light. The diagnostic trouble codes are p0017 and p0011. In an effort to resolve the issue, I have had both the intake and exhaust vvt components replaced and the oil changed. When the problem persisted, my mechanic advised that Hyundai oem parts were required. I then spent approximately $700 replacing the components with oem parts, yet the check engine light remains on and the same issues continue. At fewer than 89,000 miles, I do not believe these are problems that should be occurring on a properly maintained vehicle. I have already invested significant money trying to repair what appears to be a larger issue, and I am left with a vehicle that is still not functioning correctly. I am requesting that Hyundai investigate this matter and provide assistance in diagnosing and repairing the underlying cause. Given the known concerns regarding excessive oil consumption and timing-related issues reported by other Hyundai owners, I believe this situation warrants Hyundai's attention and consideration for goodwill assistance. I would appreciate a prompt response outlining what steps Hyundai is willing to take to help resolve this issue. I have been a Hyundai owner in good faith, and I am disappointed that after spending hundreds of dollars on recommended repairs, my vehicle remains unresolved.

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. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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.

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The contact owns a 2020 hyunndai Kona. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's fiance, who is an independent mechanic attached the portable diagnostic tester to the vehicle, and the failure code was p1327. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact as advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

My 2019 Hyundai Kona has been burning oil, I’ve done great upkeep on it, including topping the oil off in between services. This is because it obviously has been burning oil, well recently it started stalling, then starting/turning it over has been acting up. The rpm’s have not been stable at all an I’ve ran two diagnostic test on it, they came back as a “camshaft error” I can’t remember the exact code at the moment. However the mechanics I have questioned said it’s probably from the oil pressure being messed up from the oil burning up. Whether it be the sensor not regulating properly or the engine itself not getting enough lubricant. I have heard from others with Hyundais an it’s not just Kona’s, people are saying they burn through their oil fairly quickly compared to other cars they’ve had. With that being said, the car now stalls in traffic and the check engine light came on finally, that’s when we first ran diagnostics. Which I have had diagnostics ran at one place I go to for oil changes, a one at a meineke, and soon to be a third at autozone because I need to get the exact code again. I’m worried because my mom an I have been sharing this vehicle and the stalling makes it dangerous, it can be put in neutral and restarted but I have a service appointment with a dealership to see what they can do, however I feel this is happening from something caused straight from the manufacturer, not improper care or overuse. So I’m filing a complaint because if you stall while crossing traffic and could not restart, or know how to restart it, you could get in a wreck. This all seemed to start happening as well right after the vehicle rolled over 100,000 miles, go figure right? an if you needed to inspect this happening it would not be hard to do, all you would have to do is turn over the engine, then drive it for a bit an it will eventually stall, an you could also see the rpm’s bouncing and the noises it makes.

The Kona was driven a 1/2 hour before parking the vehicle. The Kona was turned off. Within 5 minutes smoke began wafting from under the hood. When I opened the hood to inspect I found the engine & underside of the hood was engulfed in flames. I closed the hood immediately. The Kona fully ignited with minor explosions & burnt completely to the metal frame within 25 minutes.

Power train the engine roars up and drops jarring you back and forth second car within a yr first blew up brand new both and hyundia and dealership blew me off.

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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.

Engine light comes on starts flashing as well as the oil light occasionally. If you slow down or have to stop it completely shuts down you have to put in park and restart the car to get anywhere and start stopping in front in the middle of traffic. So if you slow down to go up a hill or anything, it just stops completely. Also making a clicking or grinding sound not sure.

96,247 mi engine knock and complete oil loss within 3,000 miles of last oil change symptoms consistent with NHTSA recall 21v301 (Hyundai recall 203) and warranty extension txxm coverage.

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.

At approximately 100,500 miles, the 2. 0l nu engine experienced a sudden, catastrophic internal failure while operating, causing a loss of power and stalling. Failed component & availability: the engine block assembly failed internally due to severe low compression (95 psi) across multiple cylinders and intake valve leakage. The original failed engine component was replaced and retained by the servicing dealership's service department during the long-block replacement. Safety risk: the sudden loss of engine power and stalling occurred while navigating active traffic, creating an immediate crash hazard due to the loss of momentum and propulsion on a public roadway. Diagnosis & confirmation: the failure was independently confirmed by a certified master mechanic (compression test showing 95 psi) and subsequently diagnosed and confirmed by an authorized manufacturer dealership service department. Inspection history: the vehicle was fully inspected by the authorized dealership, which verified the low compression, confirmed internal engine failure, and performed a full long-block engine replacement.

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, he noticed he had an engine knock, and noticed that the engine was consuming a good amount of oil with no warning lights or oil leaks. The contact pulled over to the side when the knock started and noticed the vehicle was starving of oil although a recent oil change shows it was recent. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed to have poor service, and engine sludge although dealer stated there was none. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,132.

Vehicle frequently and quietly stalls while driving in active traffic, creating an immediate safety hazard. Vehicle is a 2019 Kona with the 2. 0l nu mpi engine, which is the exact subject of NHTSA safety recall 21v301 (recall 209). Hyundai motor America (case #42541672) is actively refusing to honor or inspect the vehicle under the safety recall mandates, claiming a lack of dealership service history overrides a federal safety defect.

Engine blew a head gasket so had to have the engine rebuilt @ a cost of $13,000. Car only had 22,500 miles on it. I think that should instigate a recall.

Last week just driving to school, my engine started to knock. So the next day we take it to a local mechanic shop and it exploded while they were test driving it and they diagnosed it with rod bearing failure. So I contact Hyundai and get it towed to the Hyundai dealership for them to inspect it and eventually do an engine swap, but after it got dropped off I was told it’d be $360 to get it diagnosed and filed and they said that I have no warranty. I explained to the rep that the class action lawsuit regarding the theta 2 gdi engines extends the warranty to 15 years/150,000 miles for all subsequent owners especially since I’ve had the ksds installed. They’re refusing to cover damages even though my car was affected by a manufacturing issue on their end and was part of major recall campaigns. My car failed at 94,000 miles while up to date on services and the representative was recommending I ask Hyundai for “good-will funding” but I don’t need their “good will” I need them to make the situation right and cover all my expenses related to my blown engine.

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.

My 2019 Hyundai Kona is equipped with a 2. 0l nu mpi engine covered under recall 203 (NHTSA campaign 21v301) for defective piston oil rings. The recall inspection was performed and closed at a Hyundai dealership in September 2023. The engine was passed and not replaced. Following that recall closure, the vehicle has required the same repair four times: replacement of the cvvt assembly-exhaust, camshaft assembly-exhaust, and timing chain tensioner. Each repair was performed under warranty. The recurring diagnostic code is p0017 (crankshaft/camshaft position correlation - exhaust). Total warranty expenditure on these repeated repairs exceeds $7,800. During one of these visits (January 2025), the technician noted the cvvt had a "slight hold on rotation" and flagged possible exhaust camshaft damage. The vehicle has also experienced stalling while driving, creating a direct safety risk to the driver and others on the road. An independent repair facility has evaluated the vehicle and provided a written assessment concluding that full engine replacement is required, and that an underlying engine defect is causing the repeated component failures. It is my position that the recall 203 inspection was performed inadequately — the defect was present at the time of inspection and was not identified. The recall remedy did not resolve the condition it was designed to address. Hyundai has since declined to replace the engine despite the documented failure pattern and independent shop recommendation. The vehicle is available for inspection. The problem has been confirmed by both a Hyundai dealer and an independent shop.

The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was unaware of the warning lights that were illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the piston rings had failed and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the piston rings had failed and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.

Basically normal driving the car stalled. It slowed to a stall. I had to restart the car. This has happened a couple to times.

Engine is consuming oil and developed piston slap, per the mechanic I took it to. Currently it sounds like there is gravel inside the engine and it does not seem safe to drive. The malfunction indicator lamp has also come on, the codes were cleared by my mechanic but they told me it likely will return. The piston slap developed a week ago today (Thursday), the mil started flashing 3 days later (Sunday), mechanic did the oil change on Tuesday and noted the piston slap at that time. All symptoms point to the issues noted in #21v-301, but my VIN is not included in that recall per the NHTSA website.

Low speed hesitancy and shuddering. Car has lost power when driving at 55 mph. Car does not want to move at very slow speeds as in a parking garage. It hesitates and starts to roll backwards.

My 2020 Hyundai Kona experienced an engine-related malfunction. An authorized Hyundai dealer inspected the vehicle, confirmed diagnostic code p1327, and determined that the complete engine required replacement. Hyundai authorized the replacement, and the vehicle remained out of service for approximately two weeks. The engine defect created a safety concern because an engine malfunction could cause reduced or complete loss of motive power while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. The dealer inspected and removed the original engine; I do not know whether it remains available for further inspection, but the repair order and diagnostic records are available. I am filing this complaint so NHTSA can document this engine failure and determine whether it is related to NHTSA campaign 21v301 / Hyundai recall 203 and whether additional investigation or corrective action is warranted.

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the awd warning light illuminated and was reset each time the vehicle was restarted. The contact also stated that over a couple of months, while downshifting, stopping, or decelerating, the vehicle stalled on several occasions. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to an autozone, where a handheld diagnostic machine retrieved diagnostic trouble codes: p0017 (crankshaft) and p0171 (system too lean), and it was observed that the oil reservoir was empty. Two quarts of oil were added to the vehicle. The contact stated that after being serviced, the vehicle was idling high and stalled while driving at unknown speeds on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with a sheared timing pin, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.