2019 Hyundai Kona

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.

Risk. 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.

I have a 2019 Kona that has an issue with excessive oil consumption. I know that Hyundai issued a recall for this problem in 2019 Konas, but they claim my car isn’t included in that recall, and they refuse to help me. It feels like a scam on Hyundai’s part. my plate is: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

My vehicle was brought into Kerry Hyundai of Alexandria in December 2025 and is still there. It was brought in for warranty work. The original complaint was oil consumption. It is supposedly getting a replacement engine but it has been 10 months of them giving me the run around. I feel this timeline is unreasonable.

My 2019 Hyundai Kona (VIN: [XXX]) experiences violent shaking and complete engine stalling in active traffic when braking, creating an immediate safety hazard on public roads. This directly mirrors the failure mechanics of Safety Recall 203 ([XXX]). Upon inspection, physical evidence of massive silver aluminum metal flakes was discovered clogging the VVT solenoid mesh screens, originating from internal cylinder/piston ring degradation. However, the dealership Universal Hyundai in [XXX] (RO# XXX) issued a fraudulent diagnostic report stating 'no metal found' to evade recall liability. Hyundai Motor America subsequently closed corporate case XXXwithout an internal engine or borescope inspection. I have retrieved the vehicle under financial protest and possess full photographic evidence of the aluminum contamination. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

While driving my 2019 Hyundai Kona with the 2.0L engine, the engine suddenly began making a loud knocking sound. Immediately after exiting the highway onto a main street, the vehicle stalled in active traffic, causing a sudden loss of motive power and creating a significant safety hazard. The first Hyundai dealership documented an engine knock and reported diagnostic trouble codes P0011, P0014, P0017, and P0366, involving camshaft timing and correlation. I was subsequently informed that the engine had suffered a catastrophic internal failure. A second Hyundai dealership later diagnosed a connecting-rod bearing failure affecting Cylinder 2. My vehicle is covered by Hyundai Recall 203, which concerns defective piston oil rings that can lead to abnormal oil consumption, engine damage, and potentially engine stalling. The vehicle previously passed Hyundai’s recall inspection/software procedure, but the engine has now experienced a catastrophic mechanical failure involving knocking and sudden stalling while driving. Hyundai has declined to replace the engine under the recall and has attributed the failure to an out-of-warranty maintenance/oil-related issue. I am also concerned about the reliability of the diagnostic process: the first dealership initially told me that a compression test had been performed and supported its conclusion about the engine failure, but later confirmed that no compression test had actually been performed. I am concerned that the prior recall remedy or in

Large amounts of oil slipped past the damaged rings into the engine. Oil could not stay no matter how many oil changes and proper maintenance. Hard metal shards got loose into the engine causing the engine to blow. Many codes came up in the diagnoses done by a Hyundai dealership. This has been reported to be a common complaint and problem with this make and model/year of the car. It should not be my responsibility to fix. Its 100% a manufacturer error. Please assist me!

On September 11, 2026, while driving my 2019 Hyundai Kona Limited 1.6L Turbo on the highway, the vehicle suffered a sudden and dangerous loss of propulsion. The engine began vibrating violently, lost power significantly, and a strong chemical burning smell entered the cabin. I was forced to pull over immediately in traffic to avoid a catastrophic fire or highway collision. The vehicle had to be towed to McGrath Hyundai. The official dealership inspection (RO# 949326) confirmed severe internal manufacturing defects: cylinder wall scoring on cylinders 2, 3, and 4 due to premature piston ring wear, which caused massive oil fouling on the spark plugs and total ignition failure. This defect creates an immediate highway safety hazard and risk of engine fire due to oil entering the combustion chamber. Hyundai Motor America refuses to issue a safety recall for this 1.6L Gamma engine defect, leaving consumers driving unsafe vehicles with active loans.

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that prior to purchasing the vehicle, the contact was informed that the vehicle had been previously repaired under recall. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 – 35 MPH, and releasing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated that the dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (ENGINE). The failure mileage was 90,000.

My Blue Hyundai Kona Ultimate paint is peeling from the roof. This can create a hazard if the paint chips in large pieces and flys obstructing visibility. The paint chipping is also close to the front windshield which can block the path of the wiper blades. Hyundai has acknowledged that certain year vehicles have a manufactures default of delaminated paint that could possible fly off in sheets. However, they have only recalled white colored vehicles for repair while doing nothing about other colored vehicles.

I took my vehicle to a dealership for a recall and they refused to honor it. They made excuses and performed an unrelated service.

Vehicle starting using extreme amounts of oil, lose acceleration and stalling while driving and making klicking noises. All symptoms point to Hyundai recall 203 (NHTSA campaign number 21V301000). Dealer and manufacturer refuse to fix it, citing lack of extended warranty and high mileage, as well as insist of oil consumption test that would require me to drive the vehicle for another 1000 miles for them to be able to determine the oil consumption. Because I don't fee it is safe to drive the vehicle, I declined the test, but was willing to allow the dealer's service employees to drive it. They refused. I ended up donating the vehicle to Kars for Kids and notified them about the situation.

My 2019 Hyundai Kona SE (2.0L Nu MPI/Atkinson engine) was previously subject to NHTSA Recall 21V301000 (Hyundai Recall 203) for defective piston oil rings that can chip and cause accelerated oil consumption, engine knocking, and stalling. That recall's remedy was performed under a prior owner in December 2021. In November 2025, a Hyundai dealership installed a Cylinder Noise Diagnostic System (CNDS) software update (Service Campaign 974) specifically meant to detect this defect's vibration signature before it causes engine damage. Approximately 7,000-8,000 miles and about nine months after that software update, the vehicle stalled unexpectedly while being driven on two separate occasions, with no check-engine light or other warning beforehand. A third stall left the vehicle unable to restart. It was towed to a service station, which found no engine oil and no external leak. A Hyundai dealership subsequently diagnosed cracked valves that allowed approximately 5 quarts of oil to burn through the engine, and determined the engine requires complete replacement. This is the same failure mode (oil consumption/engine damage leading to stalling) that the original recall and the 2025 software update were both meant to prevent, and the software gave no advance warning before the stalling occurred. The vehicle and dealership diagnosis are available for inspection upon request.

The engine was spewing oil into the air filter and also out of a hose near the turbo. It was also consuming high amounts of oil, yes its available for inspection. I was driving on a busy public highway and my car lost power and would not accelerate no the problem has not been confirmed as of yet vehicle has not received official inspection yet there was zero warning lamps, messages, or any indicator of any kind that there was a problem. there still isnt

The contact's daughter owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 40 MPH, smoke started coming from under the hood. The vehicle lost power and came to a stop in front of a convenience store, blocking the entrance. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The driver called the Fire Department, and it was confirmed that the engine compartment displayed severe heating damage. There was no fire. The firemen on the scene recommended that the vehicle be towed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the failure was a known failure and might be covered under an extended warranty program. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized. No electrical failure was found. The dealer initially offered to cover 95% of the cost of the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to cover 85% of the cost of the repair, but the contact declined. The contact stated that the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update had previously been completed on the vehicle; however, the update failed to prevent the engine failure. The manufacturer informed the contact that the extended warranty could not be applied due to a transfer of ownership to the contact's daughter. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

The vehicle suffered a sudden, severe loss of power while driving, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly. This created an immediate hazard to myself and other motorists on the road, as I was forced to navigate a dead vehicle out of active traffic without power steering or power braking assist. Prior to the total failure, the engine exhibited severe mechanical knocking, loss of acceleration, and high oil consumption without any visible external oil leaks. This engine failure is a direct result of the manufacturing defect detailed in NHTSA Safety Recall 203 (NHTSA Campaign 21V301000) concerning improperly heat-treated piston oil rings that cause severe cylinder scuffing and engine stall. Although the software update (Campaign 974) was previously completed on this VIN, the physical defect was never mechanically repaired. The software update failed to prevent the physical, defectively manufactured components from destroying the engine. Hyundai is refusing to honor the safety campaign and replace the failed engine because the recall database incorrectly lists the recall status as "completed."

First notice was exterior top railing coating wearing down after just 3 years of having car. Notified dealership of this issue and was stated that my car was out of warranty. (Now 7yo) Exterior Paint is peeling off hood; exposing primer layering, as well as in some spots, the main body itself. This is a known defect caused by factory laquer coating and of which dealership states they STILL will not cover repair.

My 2019 Hyundai Kona has been burning oil, I’ve done great upkeep on it, including topping the oil off in between services. This is because it obviously has been burning oil, well recently it started stalling, then starting/turning it over has been acting up. The RPM’s have not been stable at all an I’ve ran two diagnostic test on it, they came back as a “camshaft error” I can’t remember the exact code at the moment. However the mechanics I have questioned said it’s probably from the oil pressure being messed up from the oil burning up. Whether it be the sensor not regulating properly or the engine itself not getting enough lubricant. I have heard from others with Hyundais an it’s not just Kona’s, people are saying they burn through their oil fairly quickly compared to other cars they’ve had. With that being said, the car now stalls in traffic and the check engine light came on finally, that’s when we first ran diagnostics. Which I have had diagnostics ran at one place I go to for oil changes, a one at a Meineke, and soon to be a third at Autozone because I need to get the exact code again. I’m worried because my mom an I have been sharing this vehicle and the stalling makes it dangerous, it can be put in neutral and restarted but I have a service appointment with a dealership to see what they can do, however I feel this is happening from something caused straight from the manufacturer, not improper care or overuse. So I’m filing a complaint because if you stall while crossin

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH on the highway, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to pull over to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving into a parking lot. The battery warning light illuminated on several occasions. Additionally, the contact stated that the check engine and low oil pressure warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone and to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the piston oil ring failure had caused low oil pressure, which resulted in the timing failure. The failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (ENGINE). The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure but denied a loaner vehicle or towing assistance to the dealer located 75 miles away. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the AWD warning light illuminated and was reset each time the vehicle was restarted. The contact also stated that over a couple of months, while downshifting, stopping, or decelerating, the vehicle stalled on several occasions. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the Check Engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to an AutoZone, where a handheld diagnostic machine retrieved diagnostic trouble codes: P0017 (crankshaft) and P0171 (system too lean), and it was observed that the oil reservoir was empty. Two quarts of oil were added to the vehicle. The contact stated that after being serviced, the vehicle was idling high and stalled while driving at unknown speeds on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with a sheared timing pin, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while making left turns on several occasions, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was shifted into park (P) and restarted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. However, during routine maintenance, an independent mechanic noticed that the oil reservoir was empty, and an oil change was completed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Vehicle (2019 Kona) is subject to Recall 203 (piston ring/bore defect). On XXX Puente Hills Hyundai refused the mandatory physcial inspection, instead attempting to charge $1,100 for 'leak repairs.' An independent inspection by Valvoline on XXX confirmed the engine is dry with no leaks, proving the dealer's claim was fraudulent. Following a recent ECU update, the vehicle triggered a P0420 code—a known symptom of the internal engine damage covered by Recall 203. My Hyundai Corporate Case (#XXX) is currently stalled as the dealer refuses to provide technician notes or perform the safety inspection. I am operating an unsafe vehicle with documented internal mechanical failure. Requesting immediate intervention for a physical cylinder inspection. Please refer to the attached document (SUMMARY OF EVENTS) for the full chronology, supporting evidence, and email correspondence related to the dealership's refusal to perform Recall 203. See attached PDF (Evidence_Email_Correspondence) for documentation of the dealership's refusal to provide technician notes and their unprofessional communication regarding this safety recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact observed excessive oil consumption, which has progressively caused the vehicle to stall 2 to 3 times per week. While the engine can be restarted, it idles and runs roughly immediately afterward. Additionally, the contact noted a distinct smell of burning oil exiting from the exhaust system. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (ENGINE) however, the VIN was not included in the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to a independent mechanic where it was diagnosed to have excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.

The contact owns a 2019 HYUNDAI Kona. The contact stated while driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, he noticed he had an engine knock, and noticed that the engine was consuming a good amount of oil with no warning lights or oil leaks. The contact pulled over to the side when the knock started and noticed the vehicle was starving of oil although a recent oil change shows it was recent. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed to have poor service, and engine sludge although dealer stated there was none. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,132.

Vehicle frequently and quietly stalls while driving in active traffic, creating an immediate safety hazard. Vehicle is a 2019 Kona with the 2.0L Nu MPI engine, which is the exact subject of NHTSA Safety Recall 21V301 (Recall 209). Hyundai Motor America (Case #42541672) is actively refusing to honor or inspect the vehicle under the safety recall mandates, claiming a lack of dealership service history overrides a federal safety defect.

96,247 mi Engine knock and complete oil loss within 3,000 miles of last oil change Symptoms consistent with NHTSA Recall 21V301 (Hyundai Recall 203) and Warranty Extension TXXM coverage

Engine blew a head gasket so had to have the engine rebuilt @ a cost of $13,000. Car only had 22,500 miles on it. I think that should instigate a recall.

The vehicle burns oil faster and the vehicle began to stall at highway speeds. Upon further research, a campaign recall for the same vehicle is open but only for specific VIN. Although this vehicle was not part of the recall campaign 21V301000 the vehicle shows issues aligned with the recall.

Last week just driving to school, my engine started to knock. So the next day we take it to a local mechanic shop and it exploded while they were test driving it and they diagnosed it with rod bearing failure. So I contact Hyundai and get it towed to the Hyundai dealership for them to inspect it and eventually do an engine swap, but after it got dropped off I was told it’d be $360 to get it diagnosed and filed and they said that I have no warranty. I explained to the rep that the class action lawsuit regarding the Theta 2 GDI engines extends the warranty to 15 years/150,000 miles for all subsequent owners especially since I’ve had the KSDS installed. They’re refusing to cover damages even though my car was affected by a manufacturing issue on their end and was part of major recall campaigns. My car failed at 94,000 miles while up to date on services and the representative was recommending I ask Hyundai for “good-will funding” but I don’t need their “good will” I need them to make the situation right and cover all my expenses related to my blown engine

My 2019 Hyundai Kona is equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine covered under Recall 203 (NHTSA Campaign 21V301) for defective piston oil rings. The recall inspection was performed and closed at a Hyundai dealership in September 2023. The engine was passed and not replaced. Following that recall closure, the vehicle has required the same repair four times: replacement of the CVVT Assembly-Exhaust, Camshaft Assembly-Exhaust, and Timing Chain Tensioner. Each repair was performed under warranty. The recurring diagnostic code is P0017 (Crankshaft/Camshaft Position Correlation - Exhaust). Total warranty expenditure on these repeated repairs exceeds $7,800. During one of these visits (January 2025), the technician noted the CVVT had a "slight hold on rotation" and flagged possible exhaust camshaft damage. The vehicle has also experienced stalling while driving, creating a direct safety risk to the driver and others on the road. An independent repair facility has evaluated the vehicle and provided a written assessment concluding that full engine replacement is required, and that an underlying engine defect is causing the repeated component failures. It is my position that the Recall 203 inspection was performed inadequately — the defect was present at the time of inspection and was not identified. The recall remedy did not resolve the condition it was designed to address. Hyundai has since declined to replace the engine despite the documented failure pattern and independent shop recommen

I am reporting this for my daughter, [XXX] , while she's recovering on pain meds. She is the owner and driver of the car. no passengers in this 1-car accident. the weather and road conditions were terrible. car skidded of side of road into a ditch. When the airbags deployed, the plastic frame on the drivers side A-pillar broke and exploded out towards the driver. it appears the sharp edge of the broken plastic frame struck driver in left eye, slicing it cornea area of her eye causing a ruptured globe. thankfully, she has no other injuries. the plastic frame on the passenger side A-pillar did not break when it's airbag deployed. reporting by [XXX] . please contact me at [XXX] . [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Vehicle struggling to accelerate and rolling back when brake is not being used. It stays at a few miles per hour even with full pressure on the gas pedal. A mechanic reviewed and stated the problem was due to low compression in the engine, causing the pistons to misfire. This issue has happened a total of 5 times and has almost caused other vehicles to crash into me due to sudden loss of speed and not being able to accelerate fast enough to properly get to safety

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a knocking sound coming from the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (ENGINE); however, the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,634.

The rear left passenger will not open. The dealer thinks it is a faulty door latch actuator ($530 parts and labor). They said this is a common problem and they have a special tool to open the door, but they couldn't get it to work on my car. They think they will damage the interior door panel trying to fix this (approximately an additional $1,000). Warranty expired last year. This is a safety issue because in an emergency a passenger could be trapped in the vehicle or at best delayed in their escape. Also, the dealer said it is a common problem and online forums confirm that across several models and years. Also, it seems to be common for multiple doors to fail.

Engine smoke’s every now and then I go through a quart of oil every 600-1000 miles doubt it’s supposed to do that one time I went the full oil change limit I was completely out of oil the car was ticking and all this other stuff scene then I’m topping off my oil every 1000 miles till I need a oil change and it don’t stop ticking now so that’s a defect I don’t know if it’s apart of the 19-21 recall or not but this is not an okay engine

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle shut off. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (ENGINE); however, the vehicle was towed to a dealer and the dealer declined to honor the recall repair due to sludge in the oil cap. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,220.

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact discovered that the engine oil was low, and the contact added oil to the engine. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The contact continued to investigate the failure and discovered that the vehicle was previously repaired before owning the vehicle. The contact reached out to several dealers and the manufacturer about the issue; however, no assistance was provided. The contact continued to speak with the manufacturer, and the manufacturer agreed to have an oil consumption test performed on the vehicle. The vehicle tested by two dealers for the consumption test and the results came back inconclusive. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

While stopped our 2019 Kona EV at a traffic light with my foot on the brake, the car spontaneously accelerated and crashed into the car also sitting at the light about eight feet in front of us. If there wasn't a car in front of us, we would have gone through a busy intersection at very high speed. The front end of the car was destroyed and both airbags deployed. The car was towed to a collision center and is considered: "Totaled" . We tried to get it inspected for the computer system to confirm what happened, but there was no interest by any party. There was no pre-warning or issues with the vehicle before this happened. The incident happened about ten miles from our house, and we had been driving it for about 15 minutes. The temperature outside was extremely cold at about 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle, with the low engine oil warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while checking the dipstick, the contact became aware that the engine oil level was low. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Car idles down and dies while driving, unable to restart, no codes showing

Vehicle started to stall at low RPMs. While idling at red lights, engine would stall and go into limp mode. All safety features, such as forward collision would stop working. Car would need to be turned off and restarted for a temporary fix. No engine lights would come on. Car inspected by dealership and cannot figure out what the cause is. VIN comes up saying that my car is not part of the recall.

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine was shutting down while on the way to work, with a knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (ENGINE); however, the dealer refused to perform the recall repair, because there were other failures with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,902.

Attempted to sound horn when driver ahead of me crossed lanes at roundabout. Horn did not work. No warning messages appear on dashboard indicating an issue. Inspected the horn fuse in engine compartment and found it to be functional. Vehicle has not yet been taken for repair.

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, with a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle shutoff while idling. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Later, while idling at a stoplight, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was eventually towed to the local dealer, who confirmed that the connecting rods had failed and punctured a hole in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (ENGINE). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 94,000.

I was traveling on the interstate when my car began to slow down and the RPMs kept going up. I pulled over on the side of the highway and turned the motor off. I waited 10 minutes and started the car again thinking it was just a misfire. The motor began making weird noises and shaking. My engine like came on the dashboard display reported major malfunction get help. I was told by my mechanic that I was lucky the car did not catch on fire. He determined that pistons 1 and 3 were misfiring. He said it was being flooded with fuel. I have complained about the excessive burning of oil and that there must be an issue. Several have been recalled but not specific car.

The car's engine stuttered after pressing on gas pedal when engine is cold. When pressing on gas pedal from idle position at STOP sign, engine does not switch from 1st -> 2nd gear.

Vehicle Safety Complaint Narrative On Saturday, December 6, 2025, I brought my 2019 Hyundai Kona to Millennium Hyundai in Hempstead, New York, the dealership where the vehicle was purchased, for evaluation due to engine safety concerns. While driving the vehicle, we heard a knocking sound coming from the engine. One week earlier, on November 29, 2025, we brought the vehicle to our local mechanic after noticing the noise. The mechanic advised that the engine oil level was low and refilled the oil. Despite this, the knocking sound continued. Due to ongoing concerns about potential engine failure and because the vehicle is still under warranty, we scheduled an appointment with Millennium Hyundai for further diagnosis. The knocking noise raised serious safety concerns. On December 6th, we contacted the service manager, who advised us that the pistons were bad and they would need to replace the engine. On Monday, December 8th, we called the dealer and they then told us, that before any work could be done, that we would have to do an oil change for $90, drive the car for 1,000 miles and come back for an oil consumption test for $600 before they could make the repairs under the warranty. We are submitting this complaint to report a potential safety defect related to engine performance and reliability in the 2019 Hyundai Kona, as unexpected engine failure could pose a significant safety risk and, their requirement that we have to drive an unsafe car for 1,000 miles could be dangerous

I believe that I’m leaking oil somewhere and that it’s due to the recall with the piston oil rings that’s on my car

I am reporting a recurring safety issue involving engine stalling in active traffic due to excessive oil loss and internal component failure. This has occurred three times within approximately 12,000 miles and has created dangerous conditions for my family, including my 2.5 year old child who rides in the vehicle. Summary of incidents: • May 15, 2025 – 61,736 miles: Vehicle stalled in traffic and lost acceleration. Dealership confirmed abnormal noise and low oil, but no oil consumption test was ordered. • Fall 2025 – 66,448 miles: Vehicle stalled and died on the highway. Diagnosis showed broken camshaft timing components. Service invoice states the engine oil system was too low and caused internal failures. Major timing components replaced. • October 30, 2025 – 69,175 miles: Vehicle stalled in traffic again. Oil was low after only 2,727 miles since previous repair. Dealer advised oil consumption test after another 1,000 miles, but I do not feel the vehicle is safe to drive due to repeated stalling and internal failures. At the most recent incident the dealership confirmed the oil level was again low, but did not identify the cause or perform consumption testing until after repeated failures. These repeated stall events are serious safety hazards and could result in a collision or injury. I have lost confidence in the safety of the vehicle. Based on consultation with an experienced engine mechanic, underlying internal damage from oil starvation is likely and may indicate pisto

I'm the owner of a 2019 Hyundai Kona (US spec) imported to Poland. The VIN is included in recall 21V-301 (fire risk). The engine showed symptoms consistent with this defect and failed at 44,000 miles. Photos confirm cylinder damage. Following Hyundai Motor America (HMA) instructions, I completed diagnostics at an authorized Hyundai service center in Poland. Results: error P0366, compression 2–3 bar. HMA refused to accept these documents, demanding a specific “Repair Order” format, which European dealers cannot issue. No real coordination with regional offices occurred, making compliance impossible. HMA then issued a warranty-related denial (not requested), citing salvage status, although it is irrelevant to the mandatory recall remedy. HMA also stated diagnostics must be done in the USA, which is impossible for a non-operational vehicle located in Poland. At the same time, Hyundai Motor Poland provided incorrect information (claiming two total-loss incidents instead of one) and advised dealers not to perform any work. As a result, Hyundai service centers in Poland refused further diagnostics and repairs, blocking access to the recall remedy. The manufacturer provided no feasible path to obtain the remedy and created barriers that made the recall effectively inaccessible. I also incurred unnecessary diagnostic costs. I request that NHTSA review HMA’s actions under campaign 21V-301 regarding my VIN, assess the creation of barriers preventing remedy access, evaluate Hyundai’s re

My Kona has been stalling/hesitating when accelerating. It has been happening for a little over a year. It got very bad and the check engine light came on. I had it towed to Hyundai dealership and they said it was the fuel injectors so I paid to have those replaced, they said my warranty didn’t cover it. Replacing the fuel injectors made the car drivable but it was still stalling/hesitating but Hyundai said it was working properly. So I took it home. I have been driving it and it just keeps stalling and hesitating more and more. It is stalling and hesitating and has lack of power when I try to accelerate. I am afraid one day I’ll stall in traffic and get hit or cause an accident. I have also just realized my Kona has been using excessive oil. I just had an oil change mid August and today had to add at least 3 quarts. Even when I had my oil changed, the shop said I barely had maybe a quart in there, when it was just changed in May. We do not see any oil leaking out from anywhere. I have no choice but to use it to get around and Hyundai said it was working properly. I have recently looked online and I seen a lot of other owners reported the same issues. I have contacted Hyundai but they say theres nothing they can do. I am not sure where to go from here.

The fuel system appears to have a small leak from either a bad seal or a problem fuel line.