2020 Hyundai Kona · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 35owner reports
- 12,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
111 of the 160 complaints on this car are about the engine. 35 of those describe engine failure. Only stalling is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 35 reports
Engine failure on other Kona years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2021.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (34 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2020 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.
All 2 recalls on the 2020 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 9,000 and 72,000 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2020 Hyundai Kona that deal with this problem. 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.
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.
What owners wrote
“Defect engine failure stall or fire. Dealership will not reveiw vehicle without charge because no remedy has been destributed. This recall follows the same pattern asn the Hyndai theta lawsuit?”
Filed Aug 6, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 35 reports involved a crash. 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 56 reports