2021 HYUNDAI KONA Unknown Or Other Problems

16 complaints about Unknown Or Other

16
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Deaths

High Severity Issue

This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.

This Problem Across All Years

All Unknown Or Other Complaints (16)

Nov 7, 2025

I’ve been having issues that align with the Safety Recall 239 to repair a condition involving the Electric Power Control Unit ("EPCU"). I seem to be having by a coolant leak, my car is overheating, has stalled and has struggled to start. I started noticing something wasn’t right a couple of weeks ago but wasn’t sure what until more “symptoms” have occurred since and I found the recall information. My air conditioner also will stop blowing cool air when the over heating happens. No lights have come on my dash board alerting me of anything needing to be serviced.

Aug 4, 2025

The HVAC drainage system in my 2021 Hyundai Kona failed due to a clogged AC drain line, which led to water leaking into the cabin and mold growth. The dealer reported the drain was blocked by a spiderweb and that moisture had collected under the driver and passenger carpets. They unclogged the line, but did not inspect beneath the carpet or inside the HVAC system. Soon after, I experienced musty odors, asthma flare-ups, and headaches while driving. At-home mold tests under the passenger seat and footwell came back positive. White mold was also visibly growing under the carpet. A similar issue occurred in my fiancé’s Hyundai Elantra, also purchased from the same dealer. His AC drain was clogged and mold tested positive in the cabin, though his car had no smell. Our vehicles are stored in different environments, which rules out external environmental causes and points to a broader design flaw. There are Hyundai forums online confirming this same issue is not isolated to us. Even if spiderwebs were involved, a single web should not disable a critical drainage function and cause health risks. HVAC systems should be designed to resist common environmental factors like debris or insects. I am a cancer survivor (diagnosed in 2024) and must avoid environmental toxins like mold. Despite repeated outreach to Hyundai and the dealer, I was told no inspection or remediation would be provided beyond detailing, which is not sufficient for mold. Component that failed: AC evaporator drain tube Confirmed by dealer: Yes Manufacturer inspection: No – Hyundai declined to investigate Safety concern: Yes – mold has triggered respiratory symptoms and makes the vehicle unsafe for passengers

Jun 5, 2025

There has been a continuous popping noise on the right side of the vehicle near the tire like it’s an axle or something with the suspension. It has been checked and I was told it was normal. The horn will stop working along with the radio and other components in the car. The forward front accident component will say I’ve been in an accident when I have not even been near a vehicle. This has happened on several occasions. I don’t have all specific dates.

Mar 2, 2025

Rear camera is not working properly. Either I have a blurry image or a black screen when in reverse position.

Feb 21, 2025

The shark fin antenna came off at 55 mph going down the highway. The dealer who sold me the 2021 Kona SEL, tried to blame us for it, saying there is no way to know if you hit a bird etc. They stated it would cost me about $1,300.00 to repair this. My response was, are you serious? we have had this car for less than 3 months and this is your answer. So i went to a certified Hyundai dealer, both gave the same response, but added our tech is trained to spot defects and said the screws would not be shown, it would have ripped the entire unit from the car if it came off due to a defect. which is entirely untrue. Both dealers added that they had never even heard of this happening before, so they referred me to contact Hyundai corp to open up a registered complaint. The response I got was the dealer was the one who makes the ultimate decision. she gave me a link to buy direct from Hyundai as soon as I stated I would make a complaint here. Then I asked her the same thing I asked both dealers, why are you denying this? This is a very common issue. I also added that if the truck behind us was struck by the antenna ripping off, I would be in court to sue them. I then added it will only be a matter of time before injuries or death from this occurs and that will end up with all of the complaints being used in court to force you to comply. I ended up finding a better deal from a Hyundai dealer than the one she gave me. I performed the repair myself. the repair cost me about 300 dollars. I also want to ad that when i used AI to ask how to tell if the antenna was defective, the explanation and pics were exactly identical to the pictures I took. as this was during warmer months I felt very happy a person on a motorcycle was not hit. People need to research this on their own before purchasing this auto in my opinion.

Dec 11, 2024

Antenna is poorly designed and falls off. A quick internet search shows this is a common problem across thousands of Hyundais and Kias (same company). Because drivers are more and more dependent on GPS and radio based emergency notification AND vehicles more and more depend on interactive troubleshooting and reporting this is a safety issue. The manufacturer is aware of it, and it should at the very least be covered under warranty. Because it is a wide spread problem that many dealers appear to be refusing to repair even under warranty it should be a recall issue. My local dealer denied it was a warranty issue, but I have appealed their decision with Hyundai. It should be a safety recall issue.

Sep 16, 2024 Fire

I had a 2021 Hyundai Kona limited. On Friday 09/13/2024 my engine caught fire and my car was a total loss. Minutes before the fire I noticed some smoke, all of my dash lights came on and the car shut down. Seconds after stopping the vehicle and getting out the whole engine went up in flames. There are recalls active for my make model and year, nothing for my specific vin number but will be reaching out to Hyundai corporate to see if they want to come look at the car, in case it needs to be added to the recall list.

Aug 2, 2024

Unknown the vehicle stopped running and won’t start back up

Dec 19, 2022

The horn stopped working shortly after purchasing the vehicle in July 2021. We have been waiting for an appointment to get it looked at for months with our local Hyundai dealer but they don't have any service appointments. There have been several close calls with other vehicles and pedestrians and it is only a matter of time before something happens.

Sep 26, 2021

Having acceleration problems. 1. While driving in normal mode, when accelerating from 55 to pass cars on the highway, the tach moves to higher levels but the car doesn't accelerate. I need to take my foot off the Gas Pedal and wait then try to accelerate again. 2. When a stop light, at a full stop (or stop sign) - the car bucks before accelerating. 3. when I start my car from a cold start and in idle mode - still in park - the tach hops for 30 seconds before settling. All these issues do not happen all the time. Hard to replicate.

Sep 11, 2021

I'm trying to find out when my 2021 KONA SEl PLUS was built and where ? When did the maker of the oil rings notify Hyundai of the defect to the rings why was Hyundai able to sell of these Kona's with the 2.0 engines from dealers lots after they knew there was a problem with the engines. My Kona was sold to me on 25 Feb. 2021 they had to know of the problem by than. I was so angry and upset with my dealer when I check with them about the recall and THEY TOLD ME to DRIVE IT TILL IT BLEW UP OR CATCHES FIRE and have it Towed IN. I sold it back to them and loss 3,000 dollars rather than drive it another mile. Please email me @ [XXX] I'm a 75 year old US navy Combat veteran thats hard of hearing with PTSD under Doctors care because of the problems with my dealer and the KONA with the bad engine PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Sep 3, 2021

with the recall in effect on 7 July,2021 and nothing being done to correct the problem not even the software up date installed and the dealer not being able to tell me when any thing ging on to correct the problem I could no longer drive this 2021 KONA SEL with the 2.0 engine as I'm 75 years old and my wife is 74 both of us have a very hard time getting in and out of the KONA . I took it back to my dealer and dumped if off and told them that I couldn't drive this car and in danger my wife and 4 grand babys. I was in a really bad mental state and end ed up taking a lower grade Kona and losing $$$.

Aug 21, 2021

on 1, JULY 2021 receive notice from HYUNDAI USA about Recall of car due to bad Rings that might cause Engine failure due to engine running badly and might cause engine to lock up and throw a rod and catch fire, I am 75 years old US NAVY COMBAT VERERAN with PTSD and other serious medical problems and My wife is 74 years old her knees and hips have ben operated on but she still has problems getting in and out of the car. We take our 4 GRAND BABYS to and from school and the sitter 5 days a week. the youngest turned 1 year old on July 7th this year and the oldest is 81/2 years old. we would not able to get our self's and the Grand kids in and out of the car in a Emergency On 7 JULY , I returned to my Dealer BENTLEY HYUNDAI in Huntsville Al. they told me that there was :NO FIX: or test that they could do on My KONA SEL and to drive it until it "Catch's Fire and Breaks down." Than to have it" towed into they Dealer ship" using the HYUNDAI tow Service. This was totally out of the question as they knew about my wife and Grand kids most days of the week! At that time I didn't Remember about my 2016 SONATA SE that was brought new from BENTLEY HYUNDAI that had a software up grade to monitor the engine's operation to tell if problems were developing and Warn the operator. This was done back in 2020 ? I was under a lot of stress over this recall and they were telling me "Not to Worry" about it they showed me several other cars model of Hyundai's and I even drove one home to show my wife, which she didn't like as the color wasn't right and the trim options and safety options didn't compare to the 2021 KONA SEL. After dealing with the sales man who was really trying to help me and the General manager MR. JOHNSON ,who I felt just was just trying to get me to leave as I was really loud and very up set about they were handing the matter. they drove a 2022 KONA Se up for me to look over. It was very funny that only a few hours before there we're none.

Aug 19, 2021

Transmission slip out of park I was at a complete stop in park got out of the car to get my purse an as I pull the hacker it was still locked so I came around and reached in the car to turn the car off an as I attempted to pull the key out the car started roll back drugged me about 150 feet down the inbank.

Jun 22, 2021

I had a flat tire (passenger side right front tire). Triple AAA removed tire and replaced with my spare tire. While driving to the Hyundai dealership, massive clouds of smoke poured out of my exhaust pipe in rear of car. I also had trouble steering the car. The result of using the spare tire burned the transmission fluid (also contained metal shavings). The transmission had to be replaced along with the fluids in my car.

Apr 27, 2021

HEADLIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE! THEY GET FULL ON CONDENSATION OBSTRUCTING THE LIGHTS AND ROAD AHEAD. THEY GO OFF AN ON WHILE YOU'RE DRIVING. HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SEND A BULLETIN TO ALL THEIR DEALERS NOT TO REPLACE THEM. THIS IS COMPROMISING OUR VIEW AT NIGHT SINCE THE LIGHTS GO OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. WE ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT! HELP

Mileage: 5,331