2021 Hyundai Kona problems
The 2021 Hyundai Kona has 113 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2021 Hyundai Kona has 113 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 58 complaints, typically surfacing around 50,768 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Kona | 74 | 0 |
| 2019 Kona | 185 | 0 |
| 2020 Kona | 152 | 1 |
| 2021 Kona (this page) | 113 | 0 |
| 2022 Kona | 94 | 0 |
| 2023 Kona | 61 | 0 |
| 2024 Kona | 44 | 2 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2021 Hyundai Kona SUV FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2021 Hyundai Kona? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- engine — 58 owner reports · tends to show around 50,768 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- powertrain — 14 owner reports · tends to show around 96,000 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 10 owner reports · tends to show around 34,800 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 34,800 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2021 Hyundai Kona
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 3 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The car has never been good on gas or changing gears when drive mode was changed to sport from the beginning. It would say 200 miles to drive I will drive 30 miles and it will go down to 130. Recently the engine light has come on the car stalls when going a very low speeds and…
Driving 60mph on I-5 in May 2021. Dry roads, no wind. Vehicle suddenly surged (as if we ran over a speed bump at 60mph) despite there being no debris nor damage on the road surface. The surge felt like the ABS system triggered a single pulse, and then car completely turned off:…
About 2 weeks ago I tried to start my car and the dash board starting flickering and glitch. Roadside assistance said all I needed was a battery. I got a battery and everything seemed fine until today. My car is starting to do the same thing. When I looked up recalls my VIN…
9/13/2022 I took my vehicle in to the dealer stating the vehicle felt like it was going to stall. I was told there was no code found so they couldn't do anything, passed off as nothing wrong. On 4/1/2023 the vehicle stalled while pulling into a parking lot and a car behind me…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2021 Hyundai Kona reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 113 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 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 2021 Hyundai Kona?
On the NHTSA data, the 2021 Hyundai Kona does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2021 Hyundai Kona?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 58 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 50,768 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2021 Hyundai Kona a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 113 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 50,768 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2021 Hyundai Kona?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 58 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 50,768 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 50,768 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 2021 Hyundai Kona?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 113 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.