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.

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

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.

NHTSA ID

11749283

Incident

Jul 2, 2026

Mileage

85,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11747397

Incident

Mar 20, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11746920

Incident

Jun 5, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that there was a strong odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that while cleaning and detailing the vehicle to remove the odor, the contact discovered that a leak had damaged the floorboard and the carpet. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed with a windshield wiper fluid leak coming from the fluid line routed through the floorboard. The fluid line was disconnected; however, the issue was not fully repaired, and the rear windshield wiper remained inoperable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

NHTSA ID

11744307

Incident

Oct 22, 2025

Mileage

170,000 mi

The automatic emergency braking system brakes way too hard causing the car to stop too fast and risks causing a rear end collision. This is not fixed by adjusting settings. It is a common complaint and the system needs to be calibrated to brake more smoothly.

NHTSA ID

11735057

Incident

Apr 30, 2026

I purchased a 2021 Hyundai Kona in 2023. I own it outright. 2 weeks later my engine seized on the CA 118 in the middle lane & I lost steering & power. I don’t know how I made it to the side w cars doing 80. I was shaking. The dealer refurbished my engine no cost , it was due to the oil consumption problem & the piston ring issues many cars in ‘20 & ‘21 had. I had a Hyundai rep call & offer me $400 to sign off on any future engine issues w this car, & I knew this car was likely to have many other future problems after that offer. I did not accept offer. The transmission is also very jerky on surface streets. Well 2 yrs later, the engine started to seize up again today as I was on my way to a dentist appt. I don’t feel safe in this car. I am a 58 y/o woman w fibromyalgia & the stress of the power just shutting down when I’m driving makes my disease flair up terribly. I’ve had many cars & this is the only 1 I’m truly scared to drive alone in , after being stuck on a mountainside road, w no power, no steering, no one w me. I avoid driving at times, because the PTSD from the first incident is always w me . I love to drive - I had a motor home I drove across this country 6 times. I really want to sell this car, but I don’t want some other person to be in danger either. If I knew Hyundais in certain yrs had these issues, I certainly never would have purchased that particular year/model. That should be disclosed w the cars stats if it is known & actually in several class action suits. No advanced warning came on to alert me either - the engine just seized on a mountainside freeway as I was doing 68 mph. I feel lucky to be here after that.

NHTSA ID

11733095

Incident

Dec 5, 2023

I have already replaced the transmission out of pocket 7k its began to do the same thing immediately was flushed a 2nd time and told it could be the motor. Also my battery i have bought 2 new batteries in 2 yrs now to find out its a false warning.

NHTSA ID

11730099

Incident

Apr 8, 2025

Certain 2021-2023 model year Kona, 2021-2023 model year Kona Electric, and 2022-2023 model year Kona N vehicles may experience an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize. At Hyundai, we are committed to providing vehicles of outstanding quality and value. In an effort to meet this commitment, the warranty coverage for the horn assembly replacement has been extended to 10 years / 120,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever occurs first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners.

Some vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an inspection on the starter magnetic switch for potential freezing and, if necessary, replace the starter magnetic switch (solenoid) assembly.

Some vehicles may have an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the horn replacement under this condition to 10 years or 120,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever occurs first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners. If a horn needs to be replaced, follow the instructions within this TSB to install the latest design. Please note that any vehicles under 10 years/120,000 miles are covered by this TSB, even if vehicle is within original warranty of 5 years/60,000 miles.

Some vehicles may have an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the horn replacement under this condition to 10 years or 120,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever occurs first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners. If a horn needs to be replaced, follow the instructions within this TSB to install the latest design. Please note that any vehicles under 10 years/120,000 miles are covered by this TSB, even if vehicle is within original warranty of 5 years/60,000 miles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prior crashes, theft, or non‑certified airbag replacements. These inflators are not approved for use, may rupture during deployment, and have caused serious injuries and fatalities. Please see attached announcement, provided by NHTSA, for more details.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehicle manufacturers and have primarily been found in vehicles that previously experienced a crash and underwent airbag replacement using non-genuine parts. These dangerous inflators have ruptured during deployment, posing a serious risk of injury or death due to metal fragments entering the vehicle cabin. To date, Hyundai is aware of three people who have died while driving a Hyundai vehicle with one of these substandard replacement airbag inflators that deployed in what likely would have been a survivable crash. NHTSA has issued a public advisory urging vehicle owners and service professionals to have vehicles inspected if there is reason to believe that a non-genuine replacement airbag may have been installed. Vehicles with salvage or rebuilt titles, prior airbag deployments, or unknown repair histories may present a higher risk. NHTSA strongly cautions against self-inspection by vehicle owners and recommends inspection by trained technicians.