Hyundai Kona: best & worst years

Based on CarVitals reliability verdicts, the Hyundai Kona years to approach with the most caution are 2019 and 2020. The strongest years in our data are 2023. Below is every model year we cover (2018–2024), ranked, with the owner-reported problems behind each call.

Every Hyundai Kona year, ranked

YearVerdictScoreTop owner-reported problems
2023 Recommended 7 On 1.6L turbo and N Line models the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic can feel jerky or hesitant in low-speed and stop-go driving.; Scattered electrical and infotainment glitches reported - audio/screen drop-outs and intermittent warning lights. Full report ↗
2024 Caution 6 Electrical and infotainment faults are the leading first-year complaint on the redesigned model - screen/audio glitches and intermittent sensor or warning-light faults.; Forward-collision-avoidance / automatic emergency braking false activations (phantom braking) reported by some owners. Full report ↗
2022 Caution 6 On 1.6L turbo and N Line models the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic can feel jerky or hesitant in low-speed and stop-go driving.; Scattered electrical and infotainment glitches reported - audio/screen drop-outs and intermittent warning lights. Full report ↗
2018 Caution 6 First-year electrical gremlins reported, including the blind-spot warning system intermittently disabling itself and radio/infotainment malfunctions.; 1.6L turbo models with the seven-speed dual-clutch can hesitate or shift roughly at low speed. Full report ↗
2021 Caution 5 2.0L Nu MPI engine: improperly heat-treated piston rings cause excessive oil consumption that can progress to engine knock, rough running, stalling and in severe cases complete seizure, frequently reported around 50,000-60,000 miles. Subject of NHTSA Recall 21V301 with an extended engine warranty.; Air-conditioning compressor failures reported on these years, leaving the system blowing warm and requiring compressor replacement.; 1.6L turbo models with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic can hesitate, shudder or jerk at low speed, with some reports of unexpected shifts toward neutral. Full report ↗
2020 Avoid 4 2.0L Nu MPI engine: improperly heat-treated piston rings cause excessive oil consumption that can progress to engine knock, rough running, stalling and in severe cases complete seizure, frequently reported around 50,000-60,000 miles. Subject of NHTSA Recall 21V301 with an extended engine warranty.; Air-conditioning compressor failures reported on these years, leaving the system blowing warm and requiring compressor replacement.; 1.6L turbo models with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic can hesitate, shudder or jerk at low speed, with some reports of unexpected shifts toward neutral. Full report ↗
2019 Avoid 4 2.0L Nu MPI engine: improperly heat-treated piston rings cause excessive oil consumption that can progress to engine knock, rough running, stalling and in severe cases complete seizure, frequently reported around 50,000-60,000 miles. Subject of NHTSA Recall 21V301 with an extended engine warranty.; Air-conditioning compressor failures reported on these years, leaving the system blowing warm and requiring compressor replacement.; 1.6L turbo models with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic can hesitate, shudder or jerk at low speed, with some reports of unexpected shifts toward neutral. Full report ↗

Hyundai Kona problems by year

2024 Hyundai Kona Caution

All-new second generation: roomier, far more modern tech, carryover 147-hp 2.0L with a CVT. Too new for a long-term record; first-year niggles centre on electrical/infotainment faults plus recalls for the rear seat-belt, 12V battery and exhaust. Promising but unproven.

  • Electrical and infotainment faults are the leading first-year complaint on the redesigned model - screen/audio glitches and intermittent sensor or warning-light faults.
  • Forward-collision-avoidance / automatic emergency braking false activations (phantom braking) reported by some owners.

2023 Hyundai Kona Recommended

The most refined first-generation Kona and the value sweet spot: complaint volume is the lowest of the run and it sits outside the 2019-2021 2.0L engine recall window. Roomy-enough, well-equipped, with a long warranty.

  • On 1.6L turbo and N Line models the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic can feel jerky or hesitant in low-speed and stop-go driving.
  • Scattered electrical and infotainment glitches reported - audio/screen drop-outs and intermittent warning lights.

2022 Hyundai Kona Caution

Facelifted first-gen Kona with sharply fewer engine complaints than 2019-2021, though it still shares the 2.0L Nu engine family and the 1.6T dual-clutch. Good value with a strong warranty; check service history.

  • On 1.6L turbo and N Line models the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic can feel jerky or hesitant in low-speed and stop-go driving.
  • Scattered electrical and infotainment glitches reported - audio/screen drop-outs and intermittent warning lights.

2021 Hyundai Kona Caution

Engine oil-consumption and stalling complaints tied to the 2.0L Nu defect remained common this year, alongside A/C compressor and dual-clutch niggles. Buy only with documented oil-consumption checks and any recall work completed.

  • 2.0L Nu MPI engine: improperly heat-treated piston rings cause excessive oil consumption that can progress to engine knock, rough running, stalling and in severe cases complete seizure, frequently reported around 50,000-60,000 miles. Subject of NHTSA Recall 21V301 with an extended engine warranty.
  • Air-conditioning compressor failures reported on these years, leaving the system blowing warm and requiring compressor replacement.
  • 1.6L turbo models with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic can hesitate, shudder or jerk at low speed, with some reports of unexpected shifts toward neutral.

2020 Hyundai Kona Avoid

Covered by NHTSA Recall 21V301: the 2.0L Nu engine can burn oil and then knock, stall or seize from defective piston rings, often near 50-60k miles. One of the weakest years; confirm the recall remedy and engine health before buying.

  • 2.0L Nu MPI engine: improperly heat-treated piston rings cause excessive oil consumption that can progress to engine knock, rough running, stalling and in severe cases complete seizure, frequently reported around 50,000-60,000 miles. Subject of NHTSA Recall 21V301 with an extended engine warranty.
  • Air-conditioning compressor failures reported on these years, leaving the system blowing warm and requiring compressor replacement.
  • 1.6L turbo models with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic can hesitate, shudder or jerk at low speed, with some reports of unexpected shifts toward neutral.

2019 Hyundai Kona Avoid

The worst Kona year. The 2.0L Nu engine defect (Recall 21V301) drove the highest complaint volume of the run - excessive oil use, knock, stalling and seizures around 50-60k miles. Avoid unless the recall is done and oil use is verified clean.

  • 2.0L Nu MPI engine: improperly heat-treated piston rings cause excessive oil consumption that can progress to engine knock, rough running, stalling and in severe cases complete seizure, frequently reported around 50,000-60,000 miles. Subject of NHTSA Recall 21V301 with an extended engine warranty.
  • Air-conditioning compressor failures reported on these years, leaving the system blowing warm and requiring compressor replacement.
  • 1.6L turbo models with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic can hesitate, shudder or jerk at low speed, with some reports of unexpected shifts toward neutral.

2018 Hyundai Kona Caution

First model year, and notably outside the 2019-2021 2.0L engine recall, so engine complaints are far lower. Main gripes are first-year electrical gremlins (blind-spot/radio) and dual-clutch hesitation on turbo trims. A reasonable used pick with checks.

  • First-year electrical gremlins reported, including the blind-spot warning system intermittently disabling itself and radio/infotainment malfunctions.
  • 1.6L turbo models with the seven-speed dual-clutch can hesitate or shift roughly at low speed.

Rankings come from CarVitals reliability verdicts, built on public NHTSA complaint and recall data. See how we build these reports, the most reliable used cars overall, browse all Hyundai models, or check any listing free with the CarVitals extension.