2021 Hyundai Kona Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 2021 Hyundai Kona, and owners have filed 119 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 2021 Hyundai Kona
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Engine
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.
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.…
119 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2021 Hyundai Kona have filed 119 complaints with NHTSA; 2 describe a crash and 3 describe a fire. Reports cite 3 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 46,396 miles. Complaints peaked in 2026 with 28 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“All 4 fuel injectors failed. They were replaced but the check engine light came back on. Crank shaft sensor was then replaced and now the check engine light is back on. Driving the car waiting for som”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 5, 2026 · Engine
“My exact engine was as in a recall but not my car which failed prematurely at 84,000. I have taken extensive maintenance in the car in the for the past 2 years. Hyundai made me pay to tow my car to a”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 2, 2026 · Engine
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2021 Hyundai Kona (Kona AWD, Kona Electric, Kona FWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 27–120 MPGe |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 25–132 / 29–108 |
| Fuel | Electricity, Regular |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 1.6/2 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (A1); Automatic (AM7); Automatic (S6) |
Compare Hyundai Kona model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Hyundai Kona model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Hyundai Kona | 0 | 75 |
| 2019 Hyundai Kona | 1 | 193 |
| 2020 Hyundai Kona | 2 | 160 |
| 2021 Hyundai Kona | 1 | 119 |
| 2022 Hyundai Kona | 0 | 100 |
| 2023 Hyundai Kona | 1 | 66 |
| 2024 Hyundai Kona | 4 | 52 |
| 2025 Hyundai Kona | 1 | 28 |
| 2026 Hyundai Kona | 3 | 10 |
Checking a specific 2021 Hyundai Kona
How do I know if my 2021 Hyundai Kona has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 2021 Hyundai Kona; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Hyundai dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 21V301000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Hyundai models
- Sonata16,085 complaints
- Elantra8,715 complaints
- Santa FE7,663 complaints
- Tucson6,287 complaints
- Palisade2,447 complaints
- Accent2,032 complaints
- Ioniq 51,339 complaints
- Veloster1,292 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.