2021 Hyundai Kona Safety Report
2021 Hyundai Kona Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Hyundai Kona
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Hyundai Kona. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (102) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 5 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2024 | Compare against the 2024 Hyundai Kona with 35 complaints and 3 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Hyundai Kona before buying across this generation. |
Hyundai Kona Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Hyundai Kona years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Hyundai Kona | 88 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Hyundai Kona | 140 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Hyundai Kona | 59 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Hyundai Kona | 170 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2024 Hyundai Kona | 35 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Hyundai Kona | 66 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2021 Hyundai Kona Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Hyundai Kona, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
50 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Hyundai onlyUnknown Or Other
11 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Hyundai onlyPower Train
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Hyundai onlyPower Train,Engine
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine issues Hyundai onlyUnknown Or Other,Engine
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other,Engine issues Hyundai onlyWheels
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Wheels issues Hyundai onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Hyundai Kona
Reliability Score
The 2021 Hyundai Kona receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Hyundai Kona
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2021 Hyundai Kona
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Hyundai Kona:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Oil Consumption The engine consumes a significant amount of oil, with some users reporting up to 3 quarts in a week. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Shutdowns The engine has shut down multiple times while driving, leading to complete engine failure and multiple no-start conditions. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Issues The Blind Spot Collision Warning (BSCW) light frequently comes on, and the vehicle has experienced power loss and stalling. |
Medium | Occasional | 20k-80k miles |
| Stalling And Power Loss The vehicle has stalled at slow speeds and while making turns, and has experienced power loss and shaking during acceleration. |
Medium | Occasional | 20k-80k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Hyundai Kona:
Engine issues are the most common problem, with reports of excessive oil consumption and engine shutdowns.
Electrical system issues, including the BSCW light coming on, have been reported.
Transmission issues, including power loss and stalling, have been reported.
Wheel issues, including rattling and vibrations, have been reported.
Recall Details for the 2021 Hyundai Kona
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2021 Hyundai Kona by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Hyundai Kona
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Hyundai Kona with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 involved fires.
I am reporting a persistent and unresolved excessive oil consumption issue that I began to notice at approximately 61,000 miles. I follow all routine maintenance and oil change schedules, but my car has returned to the dealership I purchased from (only owner), three times for this specific problem. - First Visit (64,074 miles): I shared my observations of excessive oil consumption to the dealershi...
The vehicle has 82.000 miles on it, and the engine started to rattle as I entered the street to my house, and the motor quit running. I had the vehicle hauled to a repair garage for analysis, and they said the piston rings failed. The vehicle is in perfect shape except for the broken engine.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at a slow speed or making a turn, the vehicle stalled. In addition, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. There was an unknown code displayed on the instrument panel. Most recently, the engine started consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact was adding oil every other week to the vehic...
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop and while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled unexpectedly. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road, and the vehicle was turned off and restarted, and continued driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone, where it was determine...
I am writing to formally escalate a serious safety concern regarding my 2021 Hyundai Kona Ultimate, which was sold to me as a new vehicle in April 2021 but was equipped with tires manufactured in 2019 at the time of delivery. This issue raises significant concerns regarding product safety, quality control, and customer protection. I have already contacted Hyundai Customer Care and have been worki...
Was driving when the car seemed to lose power and would not accelerate and started shaking. Check engine light came on and got it read, the code indicated a misfire and other errors. There was no one local to fix it as we were out of town. So we replaced the plugs that were indicated and noticed how badly damaged they were. Vehicle started to drive better before stalling out again and replacing th...
The cars engine vibrates when accelerating and hesitates. It is always dangerous to stall after hitting the gas. This issue causes many near accidents. It began to vibrate at less than 70k. It has 90k now. These engines have had issues and mine is no exception. They should recall this engine as it's dangerous. top of the line and poop.
Known problem of oil consumption . 1 week used 3 quarts . Wife driving down road oil light. Engine light seconds later engine seized at 55mph.lucky to drift off road.
Over the last 2 1/2 months the car has shut off approximately 5 times while driving, without warning. Most instances have been while pulling into a parking lot, but one time (so far) it shut off while trying to back into my driveway. I'm fearful it will happen while on the freeway. I took it to the dealer, but there wasn't a fault code so they refused to look at it unless I left the car with the...
The Blind Spot Collision Warning (BSCW) light comes on 10 minutes into a drive (we live in a rural area and drive two lane roads for at least 25 miles before multiple lanes). I have had the car in for service on the system twice before learning that this is built into the system. Others are having the same problem, (see the two Hyundai Kona forum links below). I've spent about $600 trying to sol...
-The engine and related crankshaft components failed. The vehicle experienced complete engine shutdown while driving and later multiple no-start conditions. The vehicle has been inspected and repaired multiple times by an authorized Hyundai dealership and remains available for inspection upon request. -The engine shut down unexpectedly while driving at highway speed, resulting in loss of power and...
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 doesnt match for a recall I think my car should be under. The Battery Charge Sysytem is failing I believe. I have videos.
I’ve been having issues that align with the Safety Recall 239 to repair a condition involving the Electric Power Control Unit ("EPCU"). I seem to be having by a coolant leak, my car is overheating, has stalled and has struggled to start. I started noticing something wasn’t right a couple of weeks ago but wasn’t sure what until more “symptoms” have occurred since and I found the recall informati...
My car consumes a lot of oil. This is a very similar problem as the wrong tempered piston rings. All this car has used is 5W 20 full synthetic oil., which gets changed every 5000 miles. I would burn around 1 quart every 1000 miles. Dealer solution is to put in 5W 30 full synthetic oil. Got a little better but within a few months, back to burning1 quart every 1000 miles. Dealer is now saying Hyunda...
The piston went through the top of my engine with my entire family in the car. We managed to get to a mechanic. And bring it to the dealership. We are very lucky to be alive.
About a month after purchasing my car it shut down on the highway while driving. It completely lost power so I could not accelerate or even press the brake. Only the emergency brake stopped me from going into other cars. I started the car up again and then it worked fine until about another month later it happened again. I was on an exit ramp on the highway and it lost power. Cars had to quickly g...
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while coming to a stop, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The...
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds in stop-and-go traffic, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle but almost immediately lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the piston oil rings, resulting in dama...
The piston oil ring recall. I have had a mechanic determine I am having the exact same problem as the recalls but my VIN is not covered. Please update the recall so my repairs can be covered.
I have experienced the same issues with a known recall for my year, make and model. I am not sure why my VIN is not showing. Have records from a mechanic that there was a fire hazard. I have experienced stalling on several occasions. Could I have help getting my VIN recognized so Hyundai will help me?
Showing 20 of 102 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2021 Hyundai Kona
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Electrical System:Propulsion System
Opened 2023-01-27 · Closed 2023-08-07
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. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-spe...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Hyundai Kona
Has the 2021 HYUNDAI KONA been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 HYUNDAI KONA has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 HYUNDAI KONA have?
The 2021 HYUNDAI KONA has 102 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 HYUNDAI KONA?
The 2021 HYUNDAI KONA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 HYUNDAI KONA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 HYUNDAI KONA involve engine (50 complaints), unknown or other (11 complaints), power train (7 complaints). Other affected components include power train,engine, unknown or other,engine, wheels.
How many crash reports does the 2021 HYUNDAI KONA have?
There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2021 HYUNDAI KONA out of 102 total complaints (2.0% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2021 HYUNDAI KONA have?
There are 3 fire reports for the 2021 HYUNDAI KONA out of 102 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 HYUNDAI KONA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 HYUNDAI KONA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 HYUNDAI KONA?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 HYUNDAI KONA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 HYUNDAI KONA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 HYUNDAI KONA is acceptable with caveats. It has 102 complaints, 1 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 HYUNDAI KONA?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 HYUNDAI KONA are: 1. ENGINE (50 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (11 complaints), 3. POWER TRAIN (7 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN,ENGINE (3 complaints), 5. UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE (3 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 50 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 HYUNDAI KONA?
Be cautious of engine oil consumption and potential engine shutdowns. Regular maintenance is crucial to avoid serious issues. The 2021 HYUNDAI KONA has 102 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 HYUNDAI KONA?
The 2021 HYUNDAI KONA receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 102 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 5 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine Oil Consumption and Engine Shutdowns.
What are the known issues with the 2021 HYUNDAI KONA?
Known issues with the 2021 HYUNDAI KONA include: Engine Oil Consumption, Engine Shutdowns, Electrical System Issues, Stalling and Power Loss. These are based on patterns found across 102 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common engine issues with the 2021 Hyundai Kona?
Excessive oil consumption and engine shutdowns are the most common engine issues.
Are there any recalls related to the 2021 Hyundai Kona?
Yes, there is a recall related to the Electric Power Control Unit (EPCU).
What should I do if I experience frequent engine shutdowns?
Take the vehicle to a dealership for inspection and repair as soon as possible.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of engine oil consumption and potential engine shutdowns. Regular maintenance is crucial to avoid serious issues.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Hyundai Kona
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Hyundai Kona. The data includes 102 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 3 fire incidents, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Hyundai Kona an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16