First generation (OS, incl. facelift)
2019 Hyundai Kona
The most reported problem on the 2019 Hyundai Kona is stalling, with 68 complaints, usually around 70,000 miles.
- 191owner complaints
- 1recalls
- 11involved a crash
- 46,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 19, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026

What is your Kona doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2019 model year.
Is the 2019 Hyundai Kona reliable?
The 2019 Hyundai Kona has 191 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, below the median of 281 for 2019 SUVs on this site. Of the 8 Kona model years since 2018, it has the most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2018 and 2020
- At 24 complaints for each year on the road, the 2019 runs 2.9 times the 2018 (8) and close to the 2020 (23).
- Top problem
- One problem takes up much of the file: stalling, named in 68 of the 191 complaints (36%). A quarter of the 35 owners who gave a mileage for stalling saw it by about 15,000 miles, and half by about 70,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 13 of the 191 complaints (7%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, about the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 11 reports mention a crash, 4 mention a fire and 6 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 5 of 11, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- stalling, misfire and engine failure all have recalls on the same system, and the same campaigns cover them: 21V-301. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Complaints are still climbing. 2025 brought 35, the most of any year so far. So far in 2026, 36 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: engine stalls or loses power while driving, 68 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
191 complaints is 1.2 times fewer than the median 2019 model on this site and 1.5 times fewer than the median 2019 SUV. Among the 3 Kona model years here it ranks 1st for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2019 Hyundai Kona
Hyundai filed 91 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2019 Hyundai Kona. 7 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 1 bulletin · 68 complaints
If you are servicing a vehicle with a transmission slipping concern, follow the Service Procedure shown below and perform a stall test. This TSB provides a procedure to test each clutch in the transmission.
Check engine light or misfire 2 bulletins · 43 complaints
If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related solenoid and oil pressure harness.
If you are servicing a vehicle with the DTC or symptoms listed below, refer to the Service Procedure to diagnose the condition.
Engine knocking or ticking 2 bulletins · 23 complaints
Hyundai is conducting a service campaign 974 to enhance the knock sensor logic with the Cylinder Noise Diagnostic System (CNDS) software update.
Hyundai is conducting a service campaign to enhance the knock sensor logic with the Cylinder Noise Diagnostic System (CNDS) software update.
Engine leaks oil 1 bulletin · 12 complaints
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 pinion oil seal overheating.
Engine misfire 1 bulletin · 5 complaints
This bulletin provides information related to the Engine Control Module (ECM) software logic update for DTC P0300-P0304 Misfire. This update addresses the intermittent misfire that may only occur at cold engine warmup.
Complaints filed by year
36 complaints came in 2026. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.
NHTSA summary
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2019 Hyundai Kona
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
The recall on the 2019 Hyundai Kona, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2019 Hyundai Kona?
Stalling, with 68 of the 191 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 70,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2019 Hyundai Kona problems start?
Of the 80 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 10,000 miles and half by about 46,000.
Is the 2019 Hyundai Kona better or worse than the 2018 and 2020?
Counted per year on the road, the 2019 has more complaints than the 2018 and about as many complaints as the 2020: 24 a year against 8 and 23.
How many 2019 Hyundai Kona complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
13 of them (7%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for stalling on the 2019 Hyundai Kona?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 21V-301. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.