6 Common Problems Of A Hyundai Kona

What kind of problems does Hyundai Kona have? In this article, we will highlight some common issues and essential things that you should watch out for when you are in the market to buy a Hyundai Kona. Let’s start with a short answer.

The most troublesome problem in Hyundai Kona is its engine catching fire. Apart from this, vehicle speed control problems, battery fires, and brake system malfunctioning were also reported. The Kona is also known for its blind-spot collision warning system shutdowns. Hyundai Kona is a relatively new vehicle, and the majority of these problems should be fixed in subsequent models.

This answer doesn’t do justice to our research on this topic. In this article, we will talk about these problems in detail, how to identify them, fix them, and how much it will cost to rectify them. Let’s start!

Want to save money on gasoline? earn up to $0.25/gallon every time you fill up? GetUpside is a free-to-use cashback app for US gas stations. Use coupon code “THEDRIVERADVISER25” and earn an additional $0.25/gallon the first time! Click here to download the app for Android or iOS.

Also read: The Expected Mileage Of A Hyundai Kona

What's Inside show

1. Engine Catching Fire

One of the biggest recalls in recent dates is that of Hyundai cars due to their engines potentially catching fire. Two separate recalls have been issued in the US, and 277,045 vehicles have been recalled. The Hyundai Kona gas and the hybrid car are equipped with a 2.0-liter inline-four cylinder engine. These engines may have improperly heat-treated piston oil rings, which could cause oil to leak into hot exhaust components.

One of the symptoms of fire is the check engine light coming on. Smoke coming out of the engine bay is also a tell-tale sign of engine fire. If you witness the latter, we suggest you exit the car immediately and call the rescue departments.

If you are in the market to buy a Hyundai Kona, make sure you’re buying a model that doesn’t have this issue. If you own a Hyundai Kona, you should get in touch with your nearby mechanic or Hyundai dealership to get your car fixed.

You will get a letter from the Hyundai company itself as Hyundai has instructed their dealership to change the engines of the affected car where a repair cannot be done. So you don’t have to pay a penny as Hyundai covers all expenses.

Any dealership can handle this but larger Hyundai dealerships will likely be able to get you in a little faster.

Also read: Types Of Gas A Hyundai Kona Takes (All Generations)

2. Vehicle Speed Control Problem

Like all modern cars, Hyundai Kona comes with Adaptive Cruise Control. This feature has become a must-have in the latest cars, and car owners have become used to having this feature in their vehicles.

It has been reported that due to software malfunctioning, the cruise control of the Hyundai Kona doesn’t maintain its speed. Sometimes the cruise control doesn’t even engage, leading to a car crash. This turbulence in the vehicle speed often manifests itself without any warning, which can be quite problematic for any driver.

Since the Kona is relatively new in the market, the actual cause of this problem is still unknown. However, bad sensors are likely to be the culprit behind this problem. A faulty brake pedal switch and a blown fuse can also cause your Kona’s vehicle speed control to go haywire.

The cost of fixing this problem depends on the diagnosis given by the mechanic. A simple problem such as a blown fuse will only set you back by around $100-$200. However, this bill might expand depending on the extent of the problem.

3. Blind Collision Warning Shutting Down

One of the most significant issues of buying a crossover SUV is that they are too bulky – consequently, there are many blind spots while driving, resulting in a crash. To counter this problem, car manufacturers have made a blind collision warning system that tells you if there is a car in your blind spot or not. Now, although this system is present in the latest Kona, it keeps shutting down in the middle of any drive – hampering the driver’s vision.

If the ‘Blind Collision’ warning light does not turn on while a car is within your blind spot, your Kona has likely fallen victim to this problem. The other symptom is a warning light in the instrument cluster and a message saying the system’s radar is blocked.

This problem typically occurs around a mileage of 5000 miles. The user has to repair the blind-spot collision warning module to solve this problem. It will cost you around $900-$1,100.

4. Battery Fires

One of the horrors of Hyundai Kona EV is that its batteries catch fire like their gasoline counterparts. There have been two cases reported where a Hyundai Kona EV caught fire, and one of them even exploded. Issues with the battery are also a Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid problem, though none of them have ever caught fire.

This is alarming as there are no symptoms of the battery catching fire. If you are at the wrong place and at the wrong time, you can get seriously injured.

To address this, the company released battery management software. But due to the outcry of the people, they have recalled all the EVs in the US in the second recall mentioned above.

If you are in the market to get a Hyundai Kona EV, you should check the status of the recall from the owner. If a recall was issued for your model, we recommend you ask your dealership to rectify this issue as soon as possible. Since this issue is likely to be resolved via a recall, you should not worry about the fixing cost.

5. Brake system Malfunction

Hyundai Kona EV variants are also prone to brake system malfunctions that reduce the car’s braking performance. A faulty brake system makes you susceptible to car crashes.

The primary source of this problem is the new integrated Electronic Brake System developed by Hyundai. The system randomly detects a false brake sensor signal, which significantly hampers the braking quality of your car.

The 2019 to 2021 models were affected, and about 8,176 vehicles were recalled. The tell-tale sign of this problem is that while braking, your car doesn’t respond appropriately – slow or sudden/harsh braking are some of the symptoms that your brake system is not working correctly.

If you are out in the market to buy a Hyundai Kona, you should watch out for this problem, especially in EVs. A faulty brake system will cost you around $300 to $1,000 to repair.

6. Front Collision Warning System Unexpectedly Activating

Some owners have reported that their Hyundai Kona’s front collision warning system malfunctioned, unexpectedly activating itself. As a result, the autonomous emergency braking system will also activate, causing the car to jolt. This malfunction can be severely problematic in heavy traffic since sudden braking might cause an accident.

This problem manifests itself in the following way: the FCA (forward collision avoidance assist) warning light illuminates for a few seconds. When this message disappears, the master warning light will illuminate. If you witness this problem in your car, you should contact a nearby Hyundai dealership. Other than this, the ESC (electronic stability control) warning light will also illuminate in some cases.

If you own a Hyundai Kona, you should get your car checked, and the sensor costs you $30 to $100. The main cost is the labor cost which is between $100 and $150, as setting up the sensor requires a lot of work. You can skip the labor part by doing it yourself; the step-by-step procedure is given on the Hyundai main page.

What Is The Worst Model Year Of The Hyundai Kona?

Hyundai, as a brand name, is known for its reliable cars. In the case of Hyundai Kona, it’s the same for some models, but this is not true for all. If you are in the market to buy a Hyundai Kona, you should get a 1.6-liter turbo version. It is the best trim level car with few to no problems.

You should avoid the EV and 2.0-liter engine variant of the Kona. They have been recalled multiple times. A customer has also reported that they face difficulty getting recall work completed.

The 2018 model is mediocre, but some problems landed it in our “Years to Avoid” list. Its advanced safety system failure has made the car vulnerable. We are slowly transitioning into an era of large-sized crossovers, and safety is a must-have.

The 2019 model of the Honda Kona is your safest bet. This model year is with fewer problems and also offers an EV. Although it still has some of the prevalent issues in previous models, it does an excellent job at increasing the overall safety of the car. The earlier problems have also been alleviated to some extent.

You should avoid the 2018 and 2021 models of the Hyundai Kona as they are known for a lot of the significant problems, some of which are mentioned above. If you are in the market to buy a Hyundai Kona, you should get the 1.6-liter turbo model. It will at least last around 200,000 to 250,000 miles or even more if you maintain it properly. This is the best option with the least number of problems and solid reliability. The safety ratings are already strong for this car, and the subsequent models are likely to resolve the remaining issues.

Also read: Hyundai Kona Towing Capacity: Can It Tow a Camper Trailer, Boat, or Jet Ski?

References

Mehdi Rizvi

His interests in cars, motorcycles, and machines led him to the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore where he is currently a mechanical engineering sophomore.

His future aims include the development of an energy-efficient prototype vehicle for the Shell Eco-Marathon competition and getting a Master’s Degree in Automotive Engineering from Germany.

Have More Questions? Join Our Facebook Group!

Do you have any more questions that weren´t answered in this blog post? Join our free Facebook group and ask your question there. We promise you you´ll get an answer from one of our team members. Join the group here!