Model year
2021 Hyundai Kona
NHTSA lists 1 recall and 120 complaints for the 2021 Hyundai Kona (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 2 recalls and 27 complaints under KONA ELECTRIC. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (80), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (19), POWER TRAIN (13). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA rated 2 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 27–30 mpg combined and 120 MPGe combined and 27 kWh/100 mi depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $600–$2,500, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2018 75 complaints
- 2019 196 complaints
- 2020 161 complaints
- 2021 120 complaints
- 2022 101 complaints
- 2023 66 complaints
- 2024 53 complaints
- 2025 28 complaints
- 2026 10 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
21V301000 · Apr 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.
Complaints
120 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 2, fire flag on 3, injury field 3, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| KONA ELECTRIC | 2 | 27 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP22005 | Pedestrian alert sounds · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM | Jan 27, 2023 | Aug 7, 2023 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV SUV FWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
| SUV AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.136 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.141 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kona FWD · 1.6L · Automatic (AM7) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 28 | 32 | 30 | — | — | $2,250 |
| Kona FWD · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 27 | 33 | 30 | — | — | $2,250 |
| Kona AWD · 1.6L · Automatic (AM7) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 | 29 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
| Kona AWD · 2L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 30 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
| Kona Electric · Automatic (A1) · Front-Wheel Drive | Electricity · EV | 132 | 108 | 120 | 27.0 | 258 | $600 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2021 Hyundai Kona at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.