Owners have reported 7 crashes, 1 fire, 11 injuries and 1 death to NHTSA for the 2020 Hyundai Kona. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints76
ENGINE
Owners of the 2020 Hyundai Kona frequently report excessive oil consumption and engine stalling as common issues. Symptoms described include the vehicle consuming oil every 500 to 1,000 miles, engine knocking sounds, sudden loss of power, and the engine stalling during driving or at stops. These issues often arise at varying mileages, with some occurring as early as 500 miles and others at over 100,000 miles. Safety implications are noted in some cases, with reports of vehicles stalling in traffic or failing to restart, which could pose a risk during driving. Buyers considering a used 2020 Hyundai Kona should be aware of these engine-related complaints, particularly those involving oil consumption and stalling, as they may require significant repairs.
Owner complaints24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2020 Hyundai Kona frequently report issues with the electrical system, including persistent problems with the backup camera, instrument panel failures, and battery-related complications. Typical symptoms include the backup camera not functioning since purchase, instrument panels going black or displaying erratic behavior while driving, and repeated battery failures or inability to hold charge. Some complaints mention these issues occurring within the first few years of ownership, with mileage as low as 21,000 miles. Safety implications are evident as several owners describe loss of engine power and control at highway speeds, and there are concerns about battery fires leading to restrictions on where the vehicle can be parked. Buyers considering a used 2020 Kona should be aware of these recurring electrical issues and the potential impact on driving safety and vehicle usability.
Owner complaints19
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2020 Hyundai Kona frequently report issues with the dual-clutch transmission (DCT), including hesitation, stuttering, and slipping during gear shifts, especially between first and second gear. Symptoms often include sudden loss of propulsion, difficulty accelerating, and unexpected vehicle shutdowns, with some reports of the vehicle failing to move when placed in gear. These issues commonly appear at low mileages, with some occurring as early as 10,000 to 51,000 miles. Safety concerns are highlighted by instances of near accidents due to hesitation in traffic and one report of a fire-related incident. Buyers should be aware of these potential transmission issues and the associated safety risks when considering a used 2020 Hyundai Kona.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints14
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2020 Hyundai Kona report several recurring issues, including engine stalling and sudden deceleration, often without warning lights, which occurs at various speeds and can lead to loss of control. Complaints frequently describe problems with the vehicle's forward collision sensor, causing unintended braking and gear shifts. At least two incidents involve crashes, one resulting in an injury, and another describes unintended acceleration leading to a collision. Water leakage from the air conditioning system onto pedals and floorboards is another issue, posing potential safety risks. These problems appear across a range of mileages, with some incidents occurring as early as 7,000 miles.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints7
STEERING
Owners of the 2020 Hyundai Kona frequently report issues with the steering system, including problems with electronic power steering and steering column components. Symptoms commonly described include the vehicle wandering or shifting lanes without driver input, requiring constant steering corrections, and unusual noises when turning the wheel. These issues appear across a range of mileages, with some reports occurring as early as 2,400 miles. One complaint involves a crash attributed to a steering-related recall issue, highlighting potential safety risks. Buyers considering a used 2020 Kona should be aware of these steering-related complaints and the possible need for repairs or close monitoring.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints6
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2020 Hyundai Kona report several issues related to the braking system. A common pattern involves the automatic emergency braking activating unnecessarily, often causing abrupt stops and leading to near-miss collisions, especially in freeway traffic or congested areas. Complaints frequently mention the brakes locking up unexpectedly, even when drivers believe they have control, with some incidents occurring shortly after purchase. Additionally, some owners describe a persistent scraping noise when braking, starting as early as 1,000 miles. These issues suggest potential safety implications, including the risk of rear-end collisions due to sudden stops.
Owner complaints4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2020 Hyundai Kona frequently report excessive engine oil consumption, often accompanied by engine noises such as knocking, pinging, or tapping. These issues are noted at various mileage points, with some complaints occurring as early as 22,000 miles and others at higher mileages like 65,000 and 127,000 miles. In some cases, the turbocharger is identified as faulty, while other reports mention faulty pistons. A malfunction light is sometimes illuminated, indicating potential engine issues. While no crashes or fires are reported, the recurring nature of these complaints and the associated engine noises may be of concern to potential used car buyers.
Owner complaints4
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2020 Hyundai Kona report issues with the forward collision avoidance system, particularly involving unexpected activation of the system without any apparent obstruction, leading to sudden braking at highway speeds. Complaints frequently mention that this occurs intermittently, with one owner experiencing it weekly over a six-week period. Some owners describe the vehicle going into a fail-safe mode, resulting in a significant loss of power, which requires pulling over and restarting the car to reset the system. These incidents often occur at speeds around 45-70 mph, posing potential safety risks, especially if vehicles are traveling closely behind. Additionally, owners express frustration with the need to manually deactivate the system to avoid these sudden braking events.
Owner complaints3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2020 Hyundai Kona report issues related to unintended acceleration and loss of power in the vehicle speed control system. Complaints frequently mention sudden and unexpected acceleration while attempting to stop or park, leading to crashes in two reported cases. These incidents resulted in four injuries, with one owner describing a crash into a house and another into a store wall. Another owner reports a loss of acceleration power, necessitating pulling over. These issues occur without clear mileage patterns, but one incident is specifically dated to March 2020. The described symptoms and resulting crashes indicate potential safety risks, particularly in situations requiring precise vehicle control.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
Owner complaints2
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2020 Hyundai Kona report issues with airbag deployment during crashes. Specifically, there are instances where airbags, particularly the passenger and side curtain airbags, fail to deploy upon impact. In both reported cases, the incidents involved crashes that resulted in injuries, with one case noting severe injuries to the passenger. The complaints do not specify exact mileage at which these failures occurred. These incidents highlight potential safety implications, particularly in side-impact collisions.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
