Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

ProblemsByVin File / 2020-HYUNDAI-KONA NHTSA data synced 3 days ago
2020 · Hyundai

Hyundai Kona problems

150 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.4 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2020 Kona?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

Embed this reliability snapshot

Free to use on your site, post, or video — keep the link back. Preview the widget →

<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2020-hyundai-kona/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2020 Hyundai Kona reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe>

Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
83 reports · fails ~36,633 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
powertrain
17 reports · fails ~62,667 mi · avg $2,500
severe
electrical
10 reports · fails ~5,000 mi · avg $850
moderate
steering
7 reports · fails ~2,400 mi · avg $700
severe
cruise control
5 reports · fails ~1,450 mi · avg $600
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2020 Kona's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2020 Kona?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2020 Kona · engine
Leased 5/24/2020. Poor mileage . Told had to break in. On 3/24, 3/29 and 3/30, 2020, car stalled out in traffic. Called for service and given date 3 weeks later. Called Another dealer and got appt. for next day.Spoke to Hyundai Ca. (Sonia) and got case number(1811 5897). On…
2020 Kona · engine
...three times in one week (twice with me, and once with my wife), while driving in traffic the engine shut down completely, and we had to coast off the road to restart the engine...could easily have been deadly...I have tried to contact my dealer, but continually on hold...have…
2020 Kona · powertrain
Letter below was sent to Hyundai corporate 7 Feb 22. They replied I should work with my Dealership to resolve the issue. Dealership cannot duplicate the fault. Vehicle has 7 speed DCT and currently has about 40k miles. "SUBJECT: 2020 Hyundai Kona DCT disengages and/or…
2020 Kona · powertrain
For the last 2 weeks I’ve been hearing weird engine noises. Like metal pieces being grinded. The car has issues accelerating. Will not change gears properly causing the car to redline on the tachometer. Just today I hear noises a lot more frequently and as I’m driving and coming…
View all 150 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2020 Hyundai Kona? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 20V022000 January 17, 2020

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Kona vehicles

An incorrect GAWR could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2020 Hyundai Kona reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 150 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 Hyundai Kona is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2020 Hyundai Kona?

The 2020 Hyundai Kona is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2020 Hyundai Kona?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 83 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 36,633 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 36,633 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Hyundai Kona has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2020 Hyundai Kona?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 150 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 3 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Hyundai/Kona. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Hyundai. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
Get a free warranty quote →
Sponsored — we earn a commission if you complete a quote. Disclosure.