The best Kona years to buy are 2021 and 2022. Be careful with the 2019 and 2020: the 2.0-liter engine in those years is covered by an engine recall for oil consumption and piston ring damage.
Best years: 20212022 Years to avoid: none stand out
Every Kona year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Year by year
About the Kona
The Kona is Hyundai's small SUV, sold from 2018 with a 2.0-liter four or a 1.6-liter turbo, plus an electric version. Its complaint rate is below average overall. Most complaints on 2019-2021 models involve the 2.0-liter engine, which Hyundai recalled to inspect and repair piston rings. Ask for proof the recall was done.
- 2018-2023: First generation. 2.0-liter engine recall on 2019-2021; refreshed 2022.
- 2024 on: Second generation, larger.
Kona warranty extensions and special coverage
Carmakers sometimes extend the warranty on a part that fails too often, or pay for a fix outside a recall. These notices come from the dealer bulletins Hyundai files with NHTSA. 166 Kona bulletins are on file in total.
Certain 2019-2022MY Veloster N (JSN), 2022-2023MY Elantra N (CN7N), and 2022-2023MY Kona N (OSN) vehicles are equipped with high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) assemblies that have fuel control valves (FCV) that could allow excess f...
Some vehicles may have an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize.
Ask a dealer to check a specific car by VIN. Extensions usually have a time or mileage limit.
Government investigations into the Kona
NHTSA opens an investigation when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Some end in a recall and some close without one.
Defect petition DP22005 · 2019–2022 · opened Jan 2023, closed Aug 2023 · led to recall 22V063000
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.
Defect petition DP22003 · 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 · opened Sep 2022, closed Dec 2023
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.
Kona vs rivals
Questions
What is the best year for the Hyundai Kona?
2021 and 2022. The best Kona years to buy are 2021 and 2022. Be careful with the 2019 and 2020: the 2.0-liter engine in those years is covered by an engine recall for oil consumption and piston ring damage.
Which Hyundai Kona years should I avoid?
No year stands out as clearly bad. Check the recall list for the exact year you are looking at.
Does the Hyundai Kona have engine problems?
Some 2019-2021 Konas with the 2.0-liter engine were recalled for piston ring problems that can cause oil consumption and engine damage. Hyundai inspects and repairs them free. Check the VIN and ask for the repair order.
Based on 787 complaints filed by owners with U.S. safety regulators for model years 2018 to 2024, and U.S. sales by calendar year. How we score.