"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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11763547 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11752233 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11735057 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

I am writing to formally escalate a serious safety concern regarding my 2021 Hyundai Kona Ultimate, which was sold to me as a new vehicle in April 2021 but was equipped with tires manufactured in 2019 at the time of delivery. This issue raises significant concerns regarding product safety, quality control, and customer protection. I have already contacted Hyundai Customer Care and have been working with a case manager regarding this matter. During our conversation on February 23, 2026, I was informed that the issue would be investigated and that I would receive an update by February 27, 2026. As of today, I have not received any meaningful response or resolution. The absence of communication and delay in addressing a matter that directly affects the safety of my family is unacceptable. I currently reside in the Boston, Massachusetts area, where winter driving conditions regularly involve snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. Tires are one of the most critical safety components of a vehicle under these conditions. Installing tires that were already approximately two years old at the time the vehicle was sold as new significantly reduced the usable safe life of those tires. According to guidance provided by the tire manufacturer, tires installed on new vehicles should ideally be recently manufactured, and tire age is a key safety consideration regardless of mileage. Because the tires on my Kona were manufactured in 2019, their safe service life has effectively been shortened by several years through no fault of my own.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11722507 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11744307 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

The Blind Spot Collision Warning (BSCW) light comes on 10 minutes into a drive (we live in a rural area and drive two lane roads for at least 25 miles before multiple lanes). I have had the car in for service on the system twice before learning that this is built into the system. Others are having the same problem, (see the two Hyundai Kona forum links below). I've spent about $600 trying to solve a problem Kona already knows existed (see p. 5-52 of the 2021 Kona owner's manual). Of course I hadn't read the entire manual, but I feel the service technicians should have. I will attempt to put a more detailed description in the files below. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11710179 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov