First generation (OS, incl. facelift)
2021 Hyundai Kona
The most reported problem on the 2021 Hyundai Kona is stalling, with 39 complaints, usually around 24,000 miles.
- 116owner complaints
- 1recalls
- 2involved a crash
- 23,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 11, 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 2021 model year.
Is the 2021 Hyundai Kona reliable?
The 2021 Hyundai Kona has 116 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, below the median of 216 for 2021 SUVs on this site. Of the 8 Kona model years since 2018, it has the 3rd 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 2020 and 2022
- At 19 complaints for each year on the road, the 2021 runs below the 2020 (23) and close to the 2022 (20).
- Top problem
- Stalling leads with 39 of the 116 complaints (34%), ahead of engine failure at 20. A quarter of the 23 owners who gave a mileage for stalling saw it by about 14,000 miles, and half by about 24,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 6 of the 116 complaints (5%) 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), 2 reports mention a crash, 3 mention a fire and 3 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Stalling, the one problem here with enough reports to check, has a recall on the same system (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
- Filings peaked in 2021 at 23 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 21. So far in 2026, 25 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, 39 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
116 complaints is 1.6 times fewer than the median 2021 model on this site and 1.9 times fewer than the median 2021 SUV. Among the 3 Kona model years here it ranks 3rd 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 2021 Hyundai Kona
Hyundai filed 67 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2021 Hyundai Kona. 2 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 knocking or ticking 2 bulletins · 9 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.
Complaints filed by year
25 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
Recalls that include the 2021 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 2021 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 2021 Hyundai Kona?
Stalling, with 39 of the 116 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 24,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2021 Hyundai Kona problems start?
Of the 47 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 8,000 miles and half by about 23,000.
Is the 2021 Hyundai Kona better or worse than the 2020 and 2022?
Counted per year on the road, the 2021 has fewer complaints than the 2020 and about as many complaints as the 2022: 19 a year against 23 and 20.
How many 2021 Hyundai Kona complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
6 of them (5%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for stalling on the 2021 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.