2021 Hyundai Kona: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
The 2021 Hyundai Kona has 108 NHTSA complaints and 1 recall, with engine problems dominating the reports. Current data includes 108 complaints, with Engine Problems as the top reported area.
2021 Hyundai Kona Fuel Economy
β EPA Official DataEPA-rated energy efficiency for the 2021 Hyundai Kona. Values shown in MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent).
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 5 trims analysed.
2021 Hyundai Kona Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested β showing 2021 Hyundai Kona SUV FWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
14.1% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
14.1% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
HYUNDAI KONA 2021 has 108 NHTSA complaints, with 73 related to engine problems. Transmission and electrical issues also appear. Only 1 recall exists. Buyers should inspect the engine thoroughly before purchase. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Hyundai
- Model
- Kona
- Model year
- 2021
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 108
- Crash-related complaints
- 2
- Safety recall campaigns
- 1
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Notable Issues
- EPA MPGe combined
- 30
- EPA MPGe city / highway
- 28 / 32
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electric range (miles)
- 258
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2021 Hyundai Kona Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Uncategorized Issues
Transmission / Drivetrain
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Uncategorized Issues, Transmission / Drivetrain. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2021 Hyundai Kona?
The 2021 Kona is a risky choice due to the high number of engine complaints. Only consider if you can verify engine health and recall status.
Engine problems can lead to costly repairs and safety risks. Transmission and electrical faults may affect reliability and driving experience.
May Suit
This year may suit budget-conscious buyers willing to accept higher risk and perform thorough pre-purchase inspections.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers seeking a worry-free ownership experience should avoid the 2021 Kona due to its complaint profile.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2021 Hyundai Kona
Inspection Focus
- Engine: check for unusual noises, stalling, or loss of power.
- Transmission: test for smooth shifting and any hesitation.
- Electrical system: verify all lights, infotainment, and sensors work.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect engine for signs of problems (noises, leaks, stalling).
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine, transmission, and electrical repairs.
- Have a mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2021 Hyundai Kona, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2021 Hyundai Kona shows a high volume of engine-related complaints (73 out of 108 total). Transmission and electrical issues are also notable. With only 1 recall and low confidence due to limited data, buyers should proceed cautiously. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
Year context: Compared to other model years, 2021 has a high complaint count, but data for adjacent years is not provided.
Recall context: The single recall indicates a known issue, but the low recall count does not reflect the high complaint volume.
- Engine Problems account for 73 of 108 total complaints.
- Transmission/Drivetrain complaints total 13.
- Electrical Faults have 10 complaints.
- Engine Problems (73 complaints)
- Transmission/Drivetrain (13 complaints)
- Electrical Faults (10 complaints)
All 2021 Hyundai Kona Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Hyundai Kona. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 73 | β | 2 | β | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 18 | β | 1 | β | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 13 | β | β | β | |
| Electrical Faults | 10 | β | 1 | β | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 4 | 1 | β | β | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 4 | 1 | 1 | β | |
| Brake System | 3 | β | β | β | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 | β | β | β | |
| Lane Departure | 3 | β | β | β | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | β | β | β | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | β | β | β | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | β | β | β | |
| Structural Problems | 1 | β | β | β | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | β | β | β | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | β | β | β |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Hyundai Kona. Type a keyword (e.g. βtransmissionβ, βstallingβ, βbrakesβ) to filter.
The automatic emergency braking system brakes way too hard causing the car to stop too fast and risks causing a rear end collision. This is not fixed by adjusting settings. It is a common complaint and the system needs to be calibrated to brake more smoothly.
I purchased a 2021 Hyundai Kona in 2023. I own it outright. 2 weeks later my engine seized on the CA 118 in the middle lane & I lost steering & power. I donβt know how I made it to the side w cars doing 80. I was shaking. The dealer refurbished my engine no cost , it was due to β¦
I have already replaced the transmission out of pocket 7k its began to do the same thing immediately was flushed a 2nd time and told it could be the motor. Also my battery i have bought 2 new batteries in 2 yrs now to find out its a false warning.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was unaware of the warning lights that were illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was toweβ¦
Engine is consuming oil and developed piston slap, per the mechanic I took it to. Currently it sounds like there is gravel inside the engine and it does not seem safe to drive. The Malfunction Indicator Lamp has also come on, the codes were cleared by my mechanic but they told β¦
VIN: [XXX] 2021 Hyundai Kona experienced sudden engine failure at approximately 103,000 miles. The engine began knocking without any prior warning, and the check engine light came on at the same time the knocking started. The vehicle was not driven for an extended period after tβ¦
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 thiβ¦
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 bβ¦
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 contiβ¦
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, β¦
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 prodβ¦
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 indicβ¦
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 recallβ¦
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 freeβ¦
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 systemβ¦
-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 inβ¦
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 doesnβ¦
Iβve been having issues that align with the Safety Recall 239 to repair a condition involving the ο»ΏElectric Power Control Unit ("EPCU")ο»Ώ. I seem to be having by a coolant leak, my car is overheating, has stalled and has struggled to start. I started noticing something wasnβt rigβ¦
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 synthetiβ¦
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2021 Hyundai Kona.
2021 Hyundai Kona Recalls
1 campaignNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2021 Hyundai Kona. The single recall indicates a known issue, but the low recall count does not reflect the high complaint volume. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2021 Hyundai Kona Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2021 Hyundai Kona reliable?βΎ
Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 108 owner complaints, 2 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign for this model year. The 2021 Kona is a risky choice due to the high number of engine complaints. Only consider if you can verify engine health and recall status. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Hyundai Kona?βΎ
#1: Engine Problems (73 complaints). #2: Uncategorized Issues (18 complaints). #3: Transmission / Drivetrain (13 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Hyundai Kona?βΎ
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2021 Hyundai Kona?βΎ
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2021 Hyundai Kona, NHTSA complaints include 2 crash-related reports and 3 fire reports out of 108 total complaints. 3 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2021 Hyundai Kona have any recalls?βΎ
Yes. 1 NHTSA recall campaign affect the 2021 Hyundai Kona. A major recall area is ENGINE. The single recall indicates a known issue, but the low recall count does not reflect the high complaint volume. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2021 Hyundai Kona?βΎ
The 2021 Kona is a risky choice due to the high number of engine complaints. Only consider if you can verify engine health and recall status. Engine problems can lead to costly repairs and safety risks. Transmission and electrical faults may affect reliability and driving experience. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Hyundai Kona reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2021 Hyundai Kona based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.