Is the 2019 Hyundai Kona a bad year?
198 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 144, 4.4× a quiet Kona year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2019 Hyundai Kona were filed between 36k and 98k miles. You're at 70,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2019 Kona owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 70,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 144 (73%) | 36k–98k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 19 (10%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 18 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 10 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assist | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 70,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 198 complaints: 11 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 4 report an injury · 20 say the car was towed.
48 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Vehicle stalls with A/C running on turns. It is intermittent issue. By putting vehicle back in neutral vehicle restarts right away.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 70,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2019 Hyundai Kona: 1
The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Hyundai: 80
Repair instructions Hyundai sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2019 Hyundai Kona. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Certain 2018-2022MY Kona (OS) vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines and 4WD may exhibit transfer case oil leaks and/or an oil smell caused by the transfer case…
Hyundai is conducting a service campaign to enhance the knock sensor logic with the Cylinder Noise Diagnostic System (CNDS) software update
Hyundai is conducting a service campaign 974 to enhance the knock sensor logic with the Cylinder Noise Diagnostic System (CNDS) software update
Related to the Engine Control Module (ECM) software logic update for DTC P0300-P0304 Misfire
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Pedestrian alert sounds
Loss of Motive Power
Neighbouring years
2018 Kona: 75 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2020 Kona: 162 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Hyundai Kona year
2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Kona years side by side
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.
Questions
Is the 2019 Hyundai Kona a bad year?
198 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 144, 4.4× a quiet Kona year. At 70,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2019 Hyundai Kona were filed between 36k and 98k miles. You're at 70,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Hyundai Kona?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (144), transmission and drivetrain (19), electrical system (18), fuel system (10), collision avoidance (9). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 36k–98k miles.
How many recalls does the 2019 Hyundai Kona have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 21V-301). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.