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 4/2/2020Blue Link advised to take to dealership, that there was a problem with Engine Control System.The service report was…
2020 Hyundai Kona engine problems
moderate 83 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
83
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 83 engine complaints filed for the 2020 Hyundai Kona, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 55% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 5 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 83 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
Check engine light came on and car lost power while driving.
...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 left message for call back...afraid to drive car...
My car has been burning oil and knocking and I repeatedly took it back to the dealer with concern that these symptoms are similar to a recent recall on Hyundai Kona engine due to engine failure. Recently I had an inspection (which passed) and as I was driving away from the dealer the engine light came on and I took the car back and the mechanics told me the car is in engine failure! Engine…
Dealership has had my 2020 kona since november 12, 2020..second time in for service on vehicle same issue, first time I was told loud ticking noise coming from motor was normal. Brought back again second time as noise was getting louder, even sent them noise videos of sound, they could not locate an issue at first had Hyundai tech assisting them. Finally got a response from the service rep tom…
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while starting the vehicle he heard an abnormal sound. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he needed to add a 1½ quart of oil to the engine. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where an unknown test was completed however, the result was not yet provided. The manufacturer had not been…
After two years of driving, car seemed to start having engine noises. Felt like loss of acceleration? The vehicle stalled twice after noticing this when in a slower speed. No engine warning light or oil malfunction light ever came on. Our local mechanic said the car was close to being out of oil. Never any evidence of oil on the ground or any type of odor. Dealer was informed of the issue on Nov…
2020 Hyundai kona. Consumer writes in regards to engine failure. The consumer stated the vehicle was taken to the dealer due to a noticeable leak and to have the recall repair completed. The dealer did not perform the recall stating the vehicle passed the test therefore, did not need to be repaired. The consumer was concerned about the safety of the vehicle.
Had engine trouble with your 2020 Hyundai Kona?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2020 Hyundai Kona?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 83 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 28 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 10,800 and 65,000 miles, with the median around 18,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 10,800; a quarter make it past 65,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Hyundai/Kona.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.