2021 Hyundai Kona
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 81 of 141 complaints (57%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Driver Assistance & Speed Control include more reported injuries (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 185 in 2020 to 141 in 2021.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,100–2,300 | 2,100–2,300 | 2,100–2,300 | 1,950–3,350 | 1,950–3,350 | |
| Combined MPG | 27–30 | 27–30 | 27–30 | 23–32 | 23–32 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 25–28 / 29–33 | 26–28 / 29–33 | 25–28 / 29–33 | 20–30 / 27–35 | 20–30 / 27–35 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 300–325 | 300–324 | 300–326 | 281–396 | 281–396 | |
| Complaints filed | 242 | 185 | 141 | 116 | 69 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 13 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 4 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 6 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 7 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 3 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Hyundai Kona have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Hyundai Kona?
Engine: 81 of 141 NHTSA complaints (57%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Hyundai Kona get?
EPA rates it 27–30 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Hyundai Kona?
EPA estimates $2,100–$2,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AM7) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 28 mpg (high) | 32 mpg | 30 mpg (high) | $2,100 (low) | 303 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 27 mpg | 33 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | $2,100 (low) | 300 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AM7) | 4 | 1.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 26 mpg | 29 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | $2,300 (high) | 324 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 25 mpg (low) | 30 mpg | 27 mpg (low) | $2,300 (high) | 326 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | Front-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 132 MPGe | 108 MPGe | 120 MPGe | $600 | 0 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 81 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 21 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 15 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 25 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:THERMAL MANAGEMENT:FLUID/COOLANT · Campaign 22V941000 · Dec 19, 2022
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Kona EV vehicles. The Electric Power Control Unit (EPCU) may have been improperly sealed and may leak coolant internally.
Consequence: Coolant contacting the EPCU circuit board may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the EPCU, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 22, 2023. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 239.
ENGINE · Campaign 21V301000 · Apr 29, 2021
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
Consequence: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE · Campaign 20V748000 · Dec 2, 2020
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Nexo Fuel Cell and 2019-2021 Kona Electric vehicles. The Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) system may detect an abnormal sensor signal and as a result, may significantly reduce braking performance.
Consequence: Reduced braking power could lengthen the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the IEB software, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 199.