The 2020 Hyundai Kona has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 158,970 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 191 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ENGINE21V3010002021-04-28158,493 affected
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.
EQUIPMENT20V0220002020-01-17477 affected
Defect
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Kona vehicles. The certification label may indicate incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 567, "Certification" and 110, "Tire Selection…
Consequence
An incorrect GAWR could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install new label stickers displaying the correct GAWR over the affected areas of the certification label, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 187.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
98
2crashes3injuries
POWER TRAIN
18
1fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
17
1crashes1fires1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
8
STEERING
7
1crashes
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
7
3crashes5injuries
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
4
SERVICE BRAKES
3
1crashes1injuries
AIR BAGS
2
2crashes4injuries
Total complaints191
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 2020 hyunndai kona. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's fiance, who is an independent mechanic attached the portable diagnostic tester to the vehicle, and the failure code was p1327. The dealer was…”
“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…”
“Engine light comes on starts flashing as well as the oil light occasionally. If you slow down or have to stop it completely shuts down you have to put in park and restart the car to get anywhere and start stopping in front in the middle of traffic. So if you slow down to go up a hill or anything,…”
“The vehicle all shut off as I slowed down for a stop sign. Put in park turn the key off restarted it got to the next stop sign same thing. Also the red light same had to shut it off put it in put in park shut off and then restart and step on the gas so I can get through before a car hit me.…”
“The vehicle all shut off as I slowed down for a stop sign. Put in park turn the key off restarted it got to the next stop sign same thing. Also the red light same had to shut it off put it in put in park shut off and then restart and step on the gas so I can get through before a car hit me.…”
“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…”
“Basically normal driving the car stalled. It slowed to a stall. I had to restart the car. This has happened a couple to times.”
“Basically normal driving the car stalled. It slowed to a stall. I had to restart the car. This has happened a couple to times.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP22003 Opened 2022-09-12 · closed 2023-12-12
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles…
InvestigationDP22005 Opened 2023-01-27 · closed 2023-08-07
Pedestrian alert sounds
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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2020 Hyundai Kona as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.