2019 Hyundai Kona fuel system problems

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My 2019 Hyundai Kona SE (2.0L Nu MPI/Atkinson engine) was previously subject to NHTSA Recall 21V301000 (Hyundai Recall 203) for defective piston oil rings that can chip and cause accelerated oil consumption, engine knocking, and stalling. That recall's remedy was performed under a prior owner in December 2021. In November 2025, a Hyundai dealership installed a Cylinder Noise Diagnostic System (CNDS) software update (Service Campaign 974) specifically meant to detect this defect's vibration signature before it causes engine damage. Approximately 7,000-8,000 miles and about nine months after that software update, the vehicle stalled unexpectedly while being driven on two separate occasions, with no check-engine light or other warning beforehand. A third stall left the vehicle unable to restart. It was towed to a service station, which found no engine oil and no external leak. A Hyundai dealership subsequently diagnosed cracked valves that allowed approximately 5 quarts of oil to burn through the engine, and determined the engine requires complete replacement. This is the same failure mode (oil consumption/engine damage leading to stalling) that the original recall and the 2025 software update were both meant to prevent, and the software gave no advance warning before the stalling occurred. The vehicle and dealership diagnosis are available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA complaint #11762578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The fuel system appears to have a small leak from either a bad seal or a problem fuel line.

NHTSA complaint #11694303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

One day after I filled my gas tank, I noticed a strong gasoline smell outside the car. The next morning, I noticed a huge puddle on the pavement under the fuel tank. At least a gallon of gasoline must have leaked out overnight while the car was parked. I also noticed that gasoline continued to drip down from the fuel tank to the ground. I then had the car towed to the mechanic and they discovered a crack in the mounting flange on the top of the plastic fuel pump. The car was not in a collision and there was no external force that could have caused the fuel pump to crack and leak.

NHTSA complaint #11623149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

engine light began flashing while driving. Stopped vehicle and turned off engine. Vehicle would not restart. Mechanic says there is no compression and I need a new engine. I contacted the manufacturer who advised my engine was subject to recall but since I am a second owner and the first owner did not get the engine replaced there is nothing I can do.

NHTSA complaint #11603972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

car shut down while driving, would not turn back on. My safety was put at risk when I was driving on the highway and my car shut off 3 times without warning. I noticed rapid oil consumption, and now my engine has seized.

NHTSA complaint #11536382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Yesterday my car, Hyundai Kona 2019, stalled out for no reason while the vehicle was in motion. There were no warning signs on the panel. I change the oil regularly, but the car keeps burning oil very quickly before the next planned oil change, however, I never have any warning signs that my oil level is low. I could have gotten into an accident, and now I am afraid of driving because the car can stall at any moment, and cause an accident. The manufacturing company doesn't s solve this problem in a timely manner!

NHTSA complaint #11428287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

DELAYS IN ACCELERATION, NOT CHANGING GEARS PROPERLY. SOMETIMES WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE WILL JUST REV THE ENGINE LIKE ITS IN NEUTRAL. ACCELERATION DELAYS VERY SCARY WHEN MERGING, ACCELERATING FROM FULL STOP AND PASSING. BOUGHT APRIL 2019.

NHTSA complaint #11308329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHEN LEAVING HOME THE VEHICLE HAD LITTLE ACCELERATION AND POOR SHIFTING. TOOK TOO MUCH TIME MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. AFTER CONTACTING THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP THE PROBLEM CLEARED UP AS IT HAD DONE BEFORE. DROVE TO THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. OBDII CODE READ P0193.

NHTSA complaint #11258755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

LITTLE TO NO ACCELERATION WHEN GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED WHILE IN MOTION. LOSS OF POWER WOULD SUDDENLY OCCUR. TRANSMISSION WOULD NO LONGER SHIFT PROPERLY. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE SINCE NEWLY PURCHASED MAY 31, 2019. FUEL INJECTOR WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED AFTER THE FIRST OCCURRENCE. PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AFTER THE SECOND OCCURRENCE.

NHTSA complaint #11254395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ONCE IN A WHILE WHEN YOU STEP ON GS PEDAL THE CAR DOES NOT GO FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS,VERY DANGEROUS WHEN ENTERING HIGHWAY IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC.ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ACT OR SOUND FUNNY JUST SEEMS LIKE FUEL SYSTEM DOES NOT KNOW GAS PEDAL HAS BEEN PUSHED.HAPPENS ONLY WHEN YOU STOP TO TURN AND START TO GO AGAIN ON STREET OR HIGHWAY. TOOK IT TO RICK CASE HYUNDAI IN WESTON FLORIDA THEY SAID AJUSTED TRANSMISSION BUT DID NOT FIX PROBLEM,STILL DOING SAME THING EVERY NOW AND THEN. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 15 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT CAR 3 WEEKS AGO IN EARLY DECEMBER 2018.

NHTSA complaint #11163353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.