Owners have reported 13 crashes, 6 fires and 7 injuries to NHTSA for the 2019 Hyundai Kona. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints92
ENGINE
Owners of the 2019 Hyundai Kona frequently report issues related to engine performance, including stalling, knocking sounds, and excessive oil consumption. Typical symptoms include the engine shutting off while driving, high RPMs with little acceleration, and the check engine light illuminating. These problems often arise at mileages ranging from approximately 68,000 to over 100,000 miles. Safety implications are notable, with reports of engine-related fires, crashes, and a loss of vehicle control, particularly when the engine stalls unexpectedly in traffic. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring issues and the associated safety risks.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 3 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints55
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2019 Hyundai Kona frequently report issues with the electrical system, including sudden loss of power while driving and electrical shorts leading to vehicle shutdowns. Common symptoms include the vehicle stalling, failing to start, or experiencing flickering lights and electrical surges. These issues often occur at varying mileages, with some reports as early as 1,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of two crashes and two fires, and three injuries related to these electrical failures. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring issues, especially regarding the vehicle's reliability and safety.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 2 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints19
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2019 Hyundai Kona frequently report issues related to power train malfunctions, particularly with the transmission and acceleration. Common symptoms include sudden loss of power, hesitation during acceleration, and the vehicle stalling or failing to accelerate from a stop. These issues are often accompanied by warning lights, such as the check engine light or forward collision warning, and sometimes occur after the vehicle has warmed up or at highway speeds. Complaints suggest these problems can arise at various mileage points, with some occurring shortly after purchase and others at higher mileages, such as 66,000 miles. Safety concerns are noted, with several owners describing situations where the vehicle unexpectedly loses power, posing risks of accidents, especially on highways.
Owner complaints17
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report frequent issues with excessive oil consumption in the 2019 Hyundai Kona, often leading to engine stalling and internal component failures, particularly around 60,000 to 70,000 miles. Complaints frequently mention symptoms such as the car stalling in traffic, loss of power, and abnormal engine noises. In addition to engine-related problems, multiple owners describe failures in the door latch actuators, which can prevent doors from opening, posing a safety risk in emergencies. Some owners also report non-functional horns and spontaneous sunroof explosions, which could affect driver safety. These issues, particularly the stalling and door latch problems, highlight potential safety hazards for prospective buyers to consider.
Owner complaints9
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners of the 2019 Hyundai Kona frequently report issues related to the fuel/propulsion system, with common complaints involving fuel leaks and acceleration problems. Some owners describe noticing strong gasoline odors and visible fuel leaks, with one instance involving a crack in the fuel pump's mounting flange. Acceleration issues are also prevalent, with reports of delayed response when the gas pedal is depressed, particularly during merging and from a full stop; these issues sometimes involve improper gear shifting or a lack of engine response. While specific mileage is not consistently noted, these issues often arise shortly after purchase. Safety implications include the potential for dangerous situations when merging or accelerating in traffic, though no crashes or fires are reported.
Owner complaints6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2019 Hyundai Kona frequently report issues related to excessive engine oil consumption and engine stalling. Common symptoms include low engine oil levels shortly after refilling, burning odors, and abnormal engine noises such as knocking and clicking. Several reports indicate engine stalling while driving, sometimes accompanied by loss of power steering and braking, with one incident resulting in a vehicle rolling backward and striking a tree. The issues typically arise at mileages ranging from approximately 40,000 to 150,000 miles. These patterns suggest potential safety implications, as some incidents involve loss of vehicle control.
Owner complaints5
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2019 Hyundai Kona frequently report issues with air bags during crashes, with several noting that the air bags did not deploy at all. In one case, the deployment of the driver’s side airbag resulted in the plastic frame breaking and causing injury. Another owner describes a situation where the air bag light only illuminated post-accident, and the vehicle is outside the warranty period but under 58,000 miles. Additionally, one report involves a fire after a front-end collision, which also resulted in injury. These complaints indicate potential safety implications, including non-deployment of air bags and physical harm upon deployment, which may be relevant for prospective buyers considering this model.
Severity signals: 5 crash, 1 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints5
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2019 Hyundai Kona frequently report issues related to the service brakes, with symptoms including intermittent brake failure and unexpected activation of the automatic emergency braking system. Two complaints involve crashes, with one incident where the brakes did not respond, leading to a collision, and another where the vehicle failed to stop despite desperate braking efforts. Multiple owners describe experiences where the vehicle either accelerates unexpectedly or the brakes shudder, sometimes resulting in the car stalling. These issues are reported across various mileage ranges, with one specific report at 70,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as these complaints include loss of control and near-collisions, which are critical for potential buyers to consider.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2019 Hyundai Kona report several issues related to vehicle speed control. Complaints frequently mention problems with stalling, particularly when the vehicle is stopped in drive or park, accompanied by multiple warning lights and a non-responsive tachometer, occurring around 62,000 miles. Another owner reports a loss of speed while driving uphill, though dealer inspections found no related issues. A significant safety concern is highlighted by an incident where an owner experienced unintended acceleration from a complete stop, resulting in a collision and injury at approximately 70,000 miles. These reports suggest potential risks related to speed control malfunctions, including loss of control and accidents.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2019 Hyundai Kona report issues with the forward collision avoidance system, primarily involving unintentional emergency braking and system inoperability. Complaints frequently mention the emergency braking system engaging during lane changes, mistakenly detecting nearby vehicles and causing abrupt deceleration, which can lead to near misses in traffic. Additionally, some owners describe the system as entirely non-functional, failing to respond to speed limits, provide warnings, or apply braking force, despite dealer assessments indicating normal operation. These issues are noted to occur within the first few months of ownership and present potential safety implications, particularly in city driving conditions.
