Which Kona years have the most NHTSA complaints?

The 2019, with 247 as of October 10, 2026. Then the 2020 (187), the 2021 (145) and the 2022 (128). The 2025 (29) and 2026 (10) cars are young, and their counts will likely grow as owners drive them longer.

Does the piston ring recall cover my Kona?

Campaign 21V301 has dealers inspect the 2.0-liter Nu MPI engine in 2019-2021 Konas and swap it out when it needs replacing. The 158,493 vehicles in the campaign also include Elantras and Velosters. Turbo and electric Konas are not part of it.

My Kona Electric is under a battery recall. Will you still take it?

Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and pickup is free anywhere in the US. If the car is parked outside because of 20V630 or 21V127, tell us, and the truck will load it where it sits.

Do I need to fix the Kona before selling it?

No. You can sell the whole car as it sits, running or not. Check open recalls first, since recall repairs are done by Hyundai dealers.

Model file · HyundaiUpdated October 11, 2026 · 19 sources

Junk Hyundai Kona: engine and battery records, year by year

Owners name the engine in 370 of the Kona's 963 NHTSA complaints, and 356 of those are on 2018-2022 model years. On the second-generation cars the engine almost drops out of the file. The electrical system takes its place.

A pale green-gray 2024 Hyundai Kona with a full-width front light bar and two-tone wheels, driving on a highway — Photo: Kevauto · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Model years (EPA): 2018-2027
Complaints to NHTSA, 2018-2026: 963
Complaints naming the engine: 370
Year with the most complaints: 2019 (247)
Recall campaigns: 15
Kona Electric battery recalls: 20V630 and 21V127 (park outside)

That split decides what to check first on a dead Kona. On an older gas Kona, look for the piston ring recall. On a Kona Electric, look for the battery recalls. Either way, we buy whole non-running and junk cars, and pickup is free anywhere in the US.

First generation (OS): the 2018-2022 cars

Wikipedia dates this generation to 2017-2023 production. It lists a 1.0 turbo three-cylinder, a 1.6 Gamma T-GDi four, gearboxes including a 6-speed automatic and a 7-speed dual-clutch, and the Kona Electric with a 39.2 or 64 kWh battery. US recall records add the 2.0-liter Nu MPI engine.

The 2019 is the peak year: 247 complaints, 122 of them about the engine. All 23 fire reports in the Kona's file are on 2018-2021 cars, 10 of them on the 2018.

Gas engines

21V301, 2019-2021 with the 2.0 Nu: the piston oil rings may have missed proper heat treatment. Kona dealers check the engine, replace it if needed, and add a Piston Ring Noise Sensing System. The 158,493 vehicles include Elantras and Velosters.
22V746, 2022 Kona N: the transmission's limited-mobility fail-safe mode may be impaired. Dealers inspect and replace the transmission as necessary. 56,148 vehicles across six models.
24V528, 2022-2023 Kona N: a failing fuel pump can leave the car without drive power. The 54,647 vehicles include the Veloster N, Elantra N and Genesis G70.

Kona Electric

20V630, 2019-2020: the lithium-ion battery may short-circuit. Owners were told to park outside. Dealers update the battery management software and inspect the battery, replacing it if needed. 6,707 vehicles.
21V127, 2019-2020: a second battery short-circuit campaign, also park-outside. Its 4,696 vehicles include the 2020 Ioniq Electric.
20V748, 2019-2021: the integrated electronic brake may react to an abnormal sensor signal. Software update. 8,176 vehicles, Nexo included.
22V941, 2021: the electric power control unit may leak coolant inside. Dealers replace it as necessary. 853 vehicles.

Second generation (SX2): 2024 on

The second generation went into production in 2023, with a 2.0 Smartstream MPi, a 1.6 Smartstream T-GDi and an 8-speed automatic among the options, per Wikipedia. The 2023 model year sits at the changeover. 23V526 is the one recall that covers only the Kona. It targets the Idle Stop and Go oil pump controller and says to park outside. That campaign covers 52,109 vehicles across five models.

From 2023 on, the electrical system leads each year's complaints. The recalls are mostly hardware:

23V901, 2024: 12-volt battery cables can chafe against the engine computer bracket and short in a crash. Wikipedia says it followed an engine-bay fire in an IIHS crash-test Kona, with no customer fires reported. 10,984 vehicles.
24V308, 2024: an EGR valve short circuit can cut drive power. The 13,511 vehicles include Elantras and Venues.
23V650, 2024: rear outboard seat belt retractors may not work properly.
26V452, 2024-2026: the rear center seat belt buckle may not restrain a passenger. Until it's fixed, the center seat is not to be used. 47,787 vehicles, Kona Electric included.
26V069, 2026: front steering knuckles may crack and break. 4,555 vehicles.

Complaints and recalls by model year

These are Kona owner reports from NHTSA's database, counted October 10, 2026. Each is one owner's story, not a proven defect, and the 2025-2026 cars haven't been driven long enough to pile many up. Campaigns that span years are counted in each year they cover.

Model year	Complaints	Crashes reported	Fires reported	Recall campaigns	Top component
2018	75	9	10	0	Engine (34)
2019	247	13	6	4	Engine (122)
2020	187	9	3	5	Engine (96)
2021	145	3	4	3	Engine (74)
2022	128	5	0	2	Engine (30)
2023	75	4	0	2	Electrical (24)
2024	67	5	0	4	Electrical (35)
2025	29	2	0	1	Electrical (6)
2026	10	1	0	3	Electrical and unknown (2 each)

Should you fix it?

Run your VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup. On a 2019-2021 2.0, an open 21V301 means the engine inspection is dealer recall work.
Dead engine and no recall? Set a written quote against the price a working Kona of that year brings. Blown engine covers the math.
Kona Electric that won't charge or drive? Start with the battery campaigns, then see EV battery failed.

How the sale works

Know which Kona you have: gas, turbo, N or Electric, plus the VIN and mileage.
Request an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
Tell us where the Kona sits and if it can roll. A dead Kona Electric might not shift into Neutral.
Leave everything on it, battery pack and catalytic converter included. Tell us about any missing parts.
Give the driver the title and keys, and have a photo ID out. After you sell covers plates and insurance by state.

Also on this site: the Venue, the Ioniq 5, the Tucson, and every Hyundai we cover.

Questions people ask

Which Kona years have the most NHTSA complaints?: The 2019, with 247 as of October 10, 2026. Then the 2020 (187), the 2021 (145) and the 2022 (128). The 2025 (29) and 2026 (10) cars are young, and their counts will likely grow as owners drive them longer.
Does the piston ring recall cover my Kona?: Campaign 21V301 has dealers inspect the 2.0-liter Nu MPI engine in 2019-2021 Konas and swap it out when it needs replacing. The 158,493 vehicles in the campaign also include Elantras and Velosters. Turbo and electric Konas are not part of it.
My Kona Electric is under a battery recall. Will you still take it?: Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and pickup is free anywhere in the US. If the car is parked outside because of 20V630 or 21V127, tell us, and the truck will load it where it sits.
Do I need to fix the Kona before selling it?: No. You can sell the whole car as it sits, running or not. Check open recalls first, since recall repairs are done by Hyundai dealers.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.