2021 Hyundai Kona

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

My 2021 Kona has undergone five separate oil consumption checks. The engine is depleting oil at an abnormal rate, creating a clear risk of sudden catastrophic engine failure and highway stalling. Dealership service personnel have repeatedly dismissed consumption data despite documented top-offs between 500 and 1,000 miles. Furthermore, this vehicle has already required an entire brake system replacement due to unidentifiable system failures, establishing a continuous history of substantial defects impairing its safety, market value, and use.

NHTSA ID

11770754

Incident

Oct 13, 2026

All 4 fuel injectors failed. They were replaced but the check engine light came back on. Crank shaft sensor was then replaced and now the check engine light is back on. Driving the car waiting for something to fail is not safe

NHTSA ID

11769182

Incident

Jul 7, 2026

My exact engine was as in a recall but not my car which failed prematurely at 84,000. I have taken extensive maintenance in the car in the for the past 2 years. Hyundai made me pay to tow my car to a dealership denied me for a goodwill replacement with the same exact problems as the same exact recalled engine and stuck me with the bill.

NHTSA ID

11768574

Incident

Aug 13, 2026

My 2021 Kona Limited 1.6L Turbo is consuming oil so rapidly that the Low Oil Pressure light has activated on the highway, creating a sudden risk of stalling and engine failure, that the dealership and Hyundai are declining service. According to research, when your oil pressure light flashes, your engine is moments away from locking up. If that happens at 65 mph on a highway, it is a catastrophic safety risk. I am the original owner of 2021 Kona Limited under warranty. The dealership refused to help me after my car lost oil, citing one missed service from over three years ago. That gap was due to a severe family medical emergency where my partner was hospitalized off and on for over three months. My vehicle has a proven history of dealer maintenance before and after that event. This is the 4th time the car has totally lost oil, with no indications that is was even close or anything wrong until it was empty the warning came and check to find zero oil. The first time it happened on 2/4/2026 the dealership did not make a record and had me come back in 1000 miles to have it checked and they said it was fine. The next 2 times were recorded with Hyundai dealership and I was told that due to "Gross Maintenance Neglect" Hyundai declined any additional services. They put the car back together just replacing the fuel line/hose. On 9/23/2023 the check oil light blinked for 1-3 seconds. I was 3 minutes from home parked, allowed the car to cool and checked oil, again there was none. Put 4 1/2 quarts and that is what it holds and the next morning went to the dealership, where I was turned away, with them saying Hyundai declined any additional services for this issue and there was nothing they could do. I was told to contact corporate, I did that minute from the parking lot. Given a case number and told I would be contacted, went over all of the issues again with corporate and today was told they are still declining any service even though it is still under warranty.

NHTSA ID

11768190

Incident

Sep 23, 2026

"The vehicle suffered sudden internal engine failure while in operation due to catastrophic oil starvation, presenting a severe risk of engine stalling and loss of propulsion on the road. Active diagnostic codes are P0014, P0017, and P0303. An independent mechanic confirmed the engine was found 3 quarts low on oil with absolutely no external leaks or pooling under the vehicle, indicating massive internal oil consumption. This vehicle has been meticulously maintained with 11 consecutive oil changes logged between 15,202 miles and 115,926 miles. This oil loss starved the hydraulic timing components of fluid pressure, causing immediate timing failure. The manufacturer's current safety recall campaign (Recall 203) fails to include this specific VIN despite the vehicle exhibiting the exact engine failure defect profile.

NHTSA ID

11763547

Incident

Sep 3, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11758555

Incident

May 1, 2026

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)

NHTSA ID

11757800

Incident

Aug 18, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the horn button was depressed but was inoperable. The dealer was contacted and notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the horn needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ID

11752233

Incident

Mar 1, 2026

Mileage

60,000 mi

This bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in the 2026 2nd Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system. Refer to the 2026 2nd Navigation Map and Software Update Key Improvements and Additional Improvements tables in this TSB for a list of specific changes. The software can be downloaded via Navigation Updater (NAU) and updated by USB.

Some Hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (PDW) sensor(s) that may trigger various DTCs and display warning messages on the instrument cluster, resulting in the PDW sensor(s) failing to detect nearby objects or triggering multiple false alarms. This condition may be a result of external damage to the PDW sensor membrane or sensor cover from rock chips or road debris, a collision, or previous vehicle repairs or modifications.

Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. All internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operation, depending on driving conditions and mileage, and this procedure should only be performed when deemed necessary based on inspection and diagnosis of the vehicle as outlined in TSB 26-EM-015H, Engine Oil Consumption – Inspection & Repair Guidelines, or the latest revision.

Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. All internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operation. Oil consumption rates may vary based on mileage, operating conditions, driving habits, and maintenance history. Hyundai recommends following the prescribed maintenance schedule and periodically checking the engine oil level using the dipstick to maintain proper engine oil level.

Hyundai has become aware that certain Kona vehicles equipped with 1.6T-GDI engines may not meet engine-out NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) and Particulate Matter (PM) emission standards.

Certain Kona (OS) vehicles equipped with the 1.6T-GDI engine may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions that may not meet engine-out NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) and Particulate Matter (PM) emission standards. This bulletin provides the instructions to update the emission logic within the Engine Control Module (ECM) to improve engine-out NOx and PM emissions within permissible specifications.