Hyundai Kona: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
815 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Kona, model years 2018 to 2026. 4 model years stand out for the engine or transmission: 2019 (engine 4.4×); 2020 (engine 3.4×); 2021 (engine 2.5×); 2018 (engine 1.3×). Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 KonaFEW REPORTS | 75 | engine 1.3× | 0 | |
| 2019 Kona | 198 | engine 4.4× | 1 | |
| 2020 Kona | 162 | engine 3.4× | 2 | |
| 2021 KonaFEW REPORTS | 120 | engine 2.5× | 1 | |
| 2022 KonaFEW REPORTS | 102 | — | 0 | |
| 2023 KonaFEW REPORTS | 65 | — | 1 | |
| 2024 KonaFEW REPORTS | 53 | — | 4 | |
| 2025 KonaFEW REPORTS | 29 | — | 1 | |
| 2026 KonaFEW REPORTS | 11 | — | 3 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
Check your Kona at your mileage
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Other Hyundai models
Hyundai Accent · Hyundai Azera · Hyundai Elantra · Hyundai Elantra Touring · Hyundai Entourage · Hyundai Genesis · Hyundai Genesis Coupe · Hyundai Ioniq 5 · Hyundai Kona Electric · Hyundai Palisade · Hyundai Santa Cruz · Hyundai Santa Fe · Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid · Hyundai Santa Fe Sport · Hyundai Sonata · Hyundai Sonata Hybrid · Hyundai Tiburon · Hyundai Tucson · Hyundai Tucson Hybrid · Hyundai Veloster · Hyundai Veracruz · Hyundai XG350. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 20192020