Last updated: 2026-10-10

Hyundai Kona

Hyundai Kona Years to Avoid

9 scored model years (2018–2026) · model average 65/100

Avoid the 2019 Kona. Owners filed more complaints on it than on any other year, led by engines that burn oil, knock and stall, plus long battery waits on the electric version. The 2018 is the year to buy, with no recalls and far fewer complaints.

Verdict

Avoid
2019 55/100
Buy
2018 69/100
Model average
65/100
See years to avoid ↓See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

Hyundai Kona Years to Avoid

These model years score significantly below the Hyundai Kona average of 65/100.

#YearScoreRatingRecallsComplaintsTop Issue
1201955/100Mixed4224Engine (92)

Why These Years Should Be Avoided

55
MixedReliability score: 55 out of 100, rated Mixed

2019 Hyundai Kona

Engines burn a quart of oil every 1,000 miles or worse, sometimes with no low-oil warning. Then come knocking, smoke and stalls, even at highway speed. Some engines end up with little or no compression, and three filings involve fire. Dealers often call the oil loss within spec. Four recalls add to the picture.

4 recalls224 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Engine (92), Electrical System (55), Power Train (19), Unknown Or Other (16), Fuel Propulsion System (9), Engine And Engine Cooling (6)

View full 2019reliability report →

What Are Common Hyundai Kona Problems?

ENGINE

264 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2020, 2021

2019: Burning oil is the dominant complaint, often a quart every 1,000 miles or worse, sometimes with no low-oil warning before the level runs dry.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

193 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2022, 2024

2019: Most of these filings come from Kona EV owners waiting for a high-voltage battery replacement.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

104 complaints

Most reported in 2021, 2018, 2022

2021: These reports cover a wide mix of problems.

POWER TRAIN

96 complaints

Most reported in 2020, 2019, 2022

2020: Hesitation from a stop is the main complaint.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

28 complaints

Most reported in 2022, 2023, 2021

2022: Adaptive cruise control is slow to engage.

SERVICE BRAKES

21 complaints

Most reported in 2020, 2019, 2022

2020: Unwanted hard braking in freeway traffic is the most serious pattern.

Best Hyundai Kona Year to Buy Instead

69
GoodReliability score: 69 out of 100, rated Good

2018 Hyundai Kona

The 2018 has no recalls and 66 owner complaints, against 224 complaints and four recalls for the 2019. It has been on the road long enough for its problems to show. Oil burning still appears, with failures clustering from about 63,000 to 126,000 miles, so ask for service records.

Score: 69/100 (Good)0 recalls66 complaints
View full 2018reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2018 Hyundai Kona has 0 recalls on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All Hyundai Kona Years by Generation

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Hyundai Kona years should I avoid?
Avoid the 2019. Site analysis puts it well below the Kona's own average. It has 224 owner complaints, four recalls, and heavy engine trouble, including oil burning, stalls and failed engines. The 2020 rates mixed too, so inspect one closely.
Which Hyundai Kona years have transmission problems?
The 2019 is the clearest case. Gas models with the dual-clutch transmission show hesitation or slipping when pulling away and abrupt downshifts at highway speed, and software updates often fail to cure it. Jolting at crawling speeds also appears in the 2018 power train complaints.
Is the 2020 Hyundai Kona a good buy?
It is a cautious one. The 2020 rates mixed and sits with the 2019 at the bottom of the model's ratings. Engine complaints make up 76 of its 140 filings. The site does not list it as a year to avoid, but check oil consumption history.
Which Hyundai Kona year should I buy instead?
Choose the 2018. It has no recalls and far fewer complaints than the 2019. It is not trouble free, since oil burning and engine failures still appear around 63,000 to 126,000 miles. Look for records of oil consumption checks and engine work.
Are newer Hyundai Kona years more reliable?
Newer years rate good, and complaint rates are lowest from 2023 on. Part of that is less time on the road. The 2024 had three recalls, and the 2025 and 2026 are too new to call. Treat their low counts as incomplete.

How we score every Hyundai Kona model year

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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