The Hyundai Kona reeks of character and shows how well the Korean carmaker has grasped the market. It is a great overall package and starts at an MSRP of $22,545 and goes against the Kia Soul, the Volkswagen Taos, and the Mazda CX 30. The sales have been pretty strong and the Kona N is a cherry on the cake. The owners are satisfied but a look at the NHTSA unearths issues with the battery, the fuel pump, and the transmission. One issue is the parts distribution disconnect from the carmaker, which is rampant these days. Let’s see what all problems the owners had to go through.
2019 Hyundai Kona Problems’
Electrical issues:
- Battery issues: Though most of the battery-related issues on the NHTSA are for the EV, the 2019 Kona’s battery is no less. People have complained about how the electrical systems shut down while driving. People have also faced issues with rapid discharging of the battery that requires a jumpstart whenever the car is to be started.
- Electrical niggles: Some people have complained about the seat heating activating without any input. One owner had their doors locked and were stuck in the car. Thee have been many complaints regarding the sunroof controls going haywire and not letting the panel close.
- Headlight issues: The Hyundai Kona headlights switched off randomly while driving. The visibility dropped while driving at night and nearly caused the owner to ram into another object.
Mechanical issues:
- Loose oil plug: Several owners have raised complaints regarding a loose oil plug which leads to a leakage of engine oil. This requires people to refill the engine oil at very short intervals. The issue has been communicated to the carmaker and a resolution is awaited.
- Engine stalling issues: Many people have reported the Kona engine to stall while driving. This loss of motive power increases the risk of a rear-end collision. The issue had surfaced in earlier model years as well but there has been no resolution yet. A part-remedy can be, though, referenced via NHTSA Campaign Number 21V301000.
- Steering bearings: A handful of owners have reported the steering making a grinding noise while turning the steering wheel. Upon inspection, the settering bearing was found to be the culprit and was promptly changed under warranty.
Safety issues:
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) issues: The AEB in the 2019 Kona is reported to be troublesome and activates randomly. This activation drops the anchor and stops the crossover immediately, increasing the chances of a rear-end collision.
- Forward Collision-Avoidance (FCA) issues: The FCA in the Kona is reported to not work as intended. Sometimes, the system detects imaginary objects in front of the crossover and applies the AEB. in the other cases, the FCA does not work at all and leads to collisions.
2019 Hyundai Kona Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
April 28, 2021 |
21V301000 |
Engine |
Improperly heat-treated oil rings could stall the engine, increasing the risk of a crash. If the oil contacts the exhaust components, there’s an increased risk of a fire. |
The recall began on August 24, 2021. The dealers will inspect and replace the engine if needed. The dealerships are also instructed to deploy the Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. |
Should you buy the 2019 Hyundai Kona?
Despite being a characterful crossover, the 2019 Hyundai Kona still gets listed for its engine issues. Making things worse is the Hyundai parts distribution disconnect that affects the logistics. To avoid the long backorder times and engine issues, we’d recommend skipping the 2019 Kona and looking for more traditional rivals.
