2020 Hyundai Kona · symptom sheet

Engine stalls or loses power while driving

55owner reports
13,000median miles
$4,600median quote
0involved a crash

Newest report Aug 31, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

126 of the 157 complaints on this car are about the engine. 55 of those describe stalling, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2020 Kona.

Tick what matches of 55 reports

it stalled while driving

it stalled at idle or a stop

warning lights came on

it restarted right away

no code was stored

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (7 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.

21V-301Apr 28, 2021

Engine

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

Risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Kona

DP22-005opened Jan 27, 2023

Electrical · model years 2019 to 2022

Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.

NHTSA summary

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

DP22-003opened Sep 12, 2022

Engine · model years 2018 to 2022

Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.

NHTSA summary

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitionersâ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODIâs evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan as

What owners paid

5 of the 55 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $849 to $4,715.

$849$4,600$4,715

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 10,000 and 34,705 miles, from the 25 reports that gave a mileage.

120

2221

522

223

424

1325

826

What owners wrote

“Basically normal driving the car stalled. It slowed to a stall. I had to restart the car. This has happened a couple to times.”
Filed Apr 6, 2026

“The engine shut down when the car stops at a red light or stop sign. There are metal shavings in the oil due to issues with the pistons.”
Filed Oct 15, 2025

“I was driving when I heard a rattle below the car. About a mile later, my engine died. Turns out the oil plug fell out causing irreparable damage to my engine. Was fortunate to be able to coast down the bottom side of the bridge I was on to a safe spot off to the side.”
Filed Jul 3, 2025

“While driving the car it stalled and all dash lights came in. After about 20 mins it started back up and I proceeded down the road. After a few minutes the engine light came on blinking. I got the car to a local mechanic who placed it in the diagnostic machine. It came back code engine-pistons. I have a Hyandai 2020 Kona MPI-NU 2.0l engine but it was not included in the recall of the same vehicles.”
Filed Mar 16, 2025

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 55 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.