2019 Hyundai Kona · symptom sheet
Burns oil or oil level rises
- 29owner reports
- 40,000median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 14, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
144 of the 191 complaints on this car are about the engine. 29 of those describe oil consumption.
Tick what matches of 29 reports
Oil consumption on other Kona years
No other Kona model year has enough reports of oil consumption for a sheet of its own. See every Kona year.
What this problem usually is
Two different complaints land here. The more common one is an engine that uses oil: owners add a quart between changes, get a low-oil warning, or are told by the dealer that the rate is normal. The other is the opposite, where the oil level climbs and the oil smells of gasoline. Both deserve a proper test, and both are easier to argue with records in hand.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the piston rings (13 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2019 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
The recall on the 2019 Hyundai Kona, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Kona
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 8,000 and 81,000 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“The vehicle burns oil faster and the vehicle began to stall at highway speeds. Upon further research, a campaign recall for the same vehicle is open but only for specific VIN. Although this vehicle was not part of the recall campaign 21V301000 the vehicle shows issues aligned with the recall.”
Filed Apr 24, 2026
“My car is having problems due to excessive oil consumption. I took it to the dealership to get it fixed and tested for the recall. They said the recall had nothing to do with it. Took it to another mechanic for a diagnostic, the other mechanic stated that the excessive oil consumption was caused by recall that they didn't fix, and it can be stopped by getting the recall fixed.”
Filed Jun 18, 2024
“Oil consumption!! No low oil lamp!! Just cuts off. Then there is no oil. The engine can blow up and catch fire!! Having a oil consumption test now. First 1000 miles it's already burned half quart!!”
Filed Jan 31, 2023 · 1,000 miles
“Engine burn oil excessively about 1.5 quarts every 5000 miles. Car has roughly 60000 miles.”
Filed Dec 13, 2022 · 5,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 29 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 68 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 43 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 42 reports