The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine); however, the dealer was unable to perform the recall repair because the vehicle had not experienced a failure associated with the recall and there were no fault codes displayed or retrieved associated with the recall. However, an independent mechanic recommended that the engine be replaced. The contact provided the dealer with the fault codes and the failures that the independent mechanic had found; however, the dealer was unable to retrieve the same fault codes. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and agreed with the dealer and refused additional assistance. The vehicle was not repaired.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11763068 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

many times a year, without warning, vehicle dash lights turn off and light up like a christmas tree, followed by fca warning sound and lights going off, and a loud mechanical thud. Lose engine throttle going highway speeds. This can occur at nearly any speed without warning. Car must be powered off and back on to get normalcy. This puts me, everyone in the car and everyone on the highway at risk. Dealership was not able to reproduce or pull error codes.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11715307 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

I am receiving an intermittent "check regenerative brake" message. The message will clear automatically and then reappear every three to four weeks. An internet search reveals this is a common error for the Kona. Most people report no repair by the dealer. In several cases, the brakes stopped working, resulting in collisions. The hydraulic breaks do not work if the regenerative brake system fails leaving you with no way to stop the car. The manufacture has no solution.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11740362 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

I was hearing a weird sound when turning the steering wheel and it reminded me of the same noise that happened before in March 2020 when the column and housing (part number 56390-39000)as well as bolt-safety lock (part number 81919-31000) were replaced at Boulder Hyundai (now called Foundation). This was covered under warranty then as the mileage was 24,928. The notes say: Customer states that there is a sound when turning the wheel. Technician confirmed customer complaint. Sound coming from steering wheel described as “growling”. Found TSB that states if sound is heard to remove and replace steering housing and assembly. Technician removed and replaced steering wheel column and assembly. Test drove to ensure proper operation. All is okay. When this happened again I told Manly Hyundai, and the service advisor said it was the worm gear. However I still had to pay for a diagnosis and repair ($225.09). If this is common, and there is a TSB, I’m very disappointed with what has happened (again I believe). The notes say: Confirmed noise at steering column. Worm shaft bearing noise. Recommend replacing small bearing kit as per TSB 22-ST-005H-1. Replaced worm shaft bearing as per previous diagnosis. Removed old component. Installed new bearing. OK at this time. Noise gone. [Part number ?56359-L1AAAFFF Bearing Kit, also has 84586.] The Kona now has 84,580 + miles. I don’t know how serious the problem is but I knew the sound wasn’t right and I don’t want the steering to fail. I really don’t want this to happen again. Your attention to this is appreciated. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11519189 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

TL* THE CONTACT'S CLIENT OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI KONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLIENT WAS GONG THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND ANOTHER DRIVER RAN A RED LIGHT AND BROADSIDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. BOTH THE CLIENT AND HER PASSENGER WERE INJURED AND HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE DRIVER HAD NECK AND BACK PAINS AND HER RIGHT HAND HAD A BUMP. THE PASSENGER HAD HEAD AND NECK INJURIES AND HAD A BRAIN BLEED ISSUE AND HIP INJURIES. THE PASSENGER ALSO HAD A KNOT ON THE SIDE OF HER HEAD. THE OTHER DRIVER HAD A SMALL CUT ON HIS ARM AND DID NOT HAVE TO BE TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE DRIVER;'S SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY ON CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS BROADSIDE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE THEN SPUN AROUND AND HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE CLIENT 'S VEHICLE WAS TOTALED WITH DAMAGE ON THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE ENTIRE TRUNK WAS CRUSHED. THE BACK CORNER ON THE PASSENGER;S SIDE WAS DAMAGED AS WELL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FORM THE CRASH SCENE.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.*DT

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11382989 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

2020 Hyundai Kona, ~36,300 miles. Driver's side door latch assembly. On or around May 9, 2026, an abnormal mechanical noise began coming from inside the driver's door whenever the key fob lock/unlock button was pressed, consistent with a failing latch actuator. I booked a service appointment, and on May 15, 2026, an authorized Hyundai dealership confirmed the defect and recommended full replacement of the driver's door latch assembly. The vehicle is available for inspection. A latch that does not reliably operate is a serious safety risk. The driver's door is the primary egress point. An intermittent or inoperative latch could prevent emergency exit, block post-collision egress, or prevent first-responder access. The vehicle regularly transports children, increasing the consequence of any failure. No dashboard warning lights, alerts, or messages preceded the failure. This is a mechanical defect that does not trigger electronic warnings. Hyundai TSB 21-BD-006H (May 2021) acknowledges this exact failure mode — door handle inoperative or requiring repeated attempts to open — on the Elantra (AD/ADa) and Tucson (TL). The remedy is full latch assembly replacement, and Hyundai extended warranty coverage on the latch to 10 years / unlimited miles on those models. The 2020 Kona is not named in 21-BD-006H despite exhibiting the identical failure mode at low mileage on a 6-year-old vehicle. The defect appears to extend to the Kona platform and is not currently covered. Vehicle has not been inspected by Hyundai corporate, police, insurance, or independent shops. Filing this complaint to record the cross-platform defect pattern and request that NHTSA evaluate whether the door latch warranty extension should be expanded to include the Kona.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11738158 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

The air conditioning system has a drain for condensation. If it gets plugged up, from debris, algae, etc., it accumulates and sprays it into the passenger cabin. In my auto it sprays considerable water onto the floor boards of both the driver side and passenger side. I encountered such spraying onto my right foot making it slip off the accelerator pad while turning left. While turning right it sprays onto the passenger side. This is an actual spray of water. The dealer reports this is an owner maintenance item. This is not addressed in owner manuals. A search of google issues shows this to be a very big issue. To issues exists. Water onto the accelerator and the brake pedal are safety issues. Wet carpeting causes mold. It is a very bad design.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11682393 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov