FaultScore

Hyundai Kona fuel system problems

29 of the 1,089 complaints filed about the Hyundai Kona are about the fuel system — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2019.

29

Complaints

3%

Share of all complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

Fuel & Propulsion complaints by model year

2018 Kona 4 13.8%

Median failure at 54,000 miles

2019 Kona 9 31.0%

Median failure at 3,677 miles

2020 Kona 4 13.8%
2021 Kona 4 13.8%
2022 Kona 2 6.9%
2023 Kona 4 13.8%
2025 Kona 1 3.4%
2026 Kona 1 3.4%

Median failure at 900 miles

What owners said

2021 Hyundai Kona Dale, TX

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Low speed hesitancy and shuddering. Car has lost power when driving at 55 mph. Car does not want to move at very slow speeds as in a parking garage. It hesitates and starts to roll backwards.

NHTSA complaint #11747397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 Hyundai Kona Youngsville, NC

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Power train the engine roars up and drops jarring you back and forth second car within a yr first blew up brand new both and Hyundia and dealership blew me off

NHTSA complaint #11745464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Hyundai Kona Zirconia, NC

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The car failed to accelerate on highway on multiple occasions, including when slowing down and then trying to accelerate when pulling out on highways.

NHTSA complaint #11745092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Hyundai Kona Houston, TX

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I have already replaced the transmission out of pocket 7k its began to do the same thing immediately was flushed a 2nd time and told it could be the motor. Also my battery i have bought 2 new batteries in 2 yrs now to find out its a false warning.

NHTSA complaint #11730099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Hyundai Kona Lincoln Park, MI

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Over the last 2 1/2 months the car has shut off approximately 5 times while driving, without warning. Most instances have been while pulling into a parking lot, but one time (so far) it shut off while trying to back into my driveway. I'm fearful it will happen while on the freeway. I took it to the dealer, but there wasn't a fault code so they refused to look at it unless I left the car with them to drive, and wanted to charge me $45/day for a rental so I could get back & forth to work until it happened again while they were driving it.

NHTSA complaint #11714551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2026 Hyundai Kona at 900 miles Miramar, FL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, an inspector discovered a puddle of fuel on the ground underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the hood insulation was damaged, and the fuel lines were punctured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that two other GSA fleet vehicles of the same year, make, and model, as well as a coworker who owns a 2025 Hyundai Konda had experienced the same failure. The contact related the failure to rodents chewing the organic-based fuel lines. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 900.

NHTSA complaint #11712882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Hyundai Kona Duarte, CA, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My Kona N Line is not functioning well. Especially after driving for a longer period of time. About 60% of the time, upon letting go of my brake, the car jerks. Going from 0 - 5 mph is the worst. The car definitely hesitates many times. Again, it is when I have driven it for over 10 minutes. I took the car to a service department in El Monte, CA on 11/1. They cannot find the problem. They rode with me and it did not show at that time. They released the car to me. The Kona N has a recall but not my car, the Kona N Line. The recall is for the same problem. I am extremely frustrated. I have another appointment on Tuesday of this week to take to the Glendora service department. I don't know what to do. I am not one to complain but this is not safe. This is my fifth Hyundai. Nothing but good cars until now. Please advise. [XXX] [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11698455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Hyundai Kona Brewer, ME

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.

2020 Hyundai Kona Hagatna, GU

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Ignition, speed and driving halts. I've had this Kona repaired a couple years ago and it took about 6-8mos to get my vehicle back, the this year 2025 the vehicle again is giving me problems. I thought of applying the lemon law however the week of the 6-8months being in the repair shop, I got the vehicle back, and the owner(mr. Crisostomo was very kind and understanding) so it made me be more patience nonetheless there's only so much he could do if he is not the one repairing the vehicle. I was offered carpets for my patience yet still have not gotten them and feel like a bother when I call to inquiry about them and it's not the service manager that I talk to , I feel otherwise. That could just be me, however I know good customer service if it's presence. For the actually year, I would need to check emails and records. But it's probably the year after so 2022 ( almost certain) now, This year, 2025.. I see that there is a recall that the dealership did not inform me. The vehicle is paid of last year, because I was going to relocate but that had changed. I found out about the recall cause my dad had died and step mother is using my other car so I'm using the Kona much more that 3 days a week. I keep dying out in one (1) day.. I died out twice. So I checked if there's a recall and there is. I would like my vehicle repurchased or credit for the amount purchased or I like a jeep 2 door ( is fine) as a recovery vehicle, thank you.

NHTSA complaint #11688598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Hyundai Kona Quincy, MA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My car intermittently loses power when I’m driving and I almost got hit yesterday.

NHTSA complaint #11679588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Hyundai Kona West Hartford, CT

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

While driving on the highway, our vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating without warning, forcing us to pull over immediately. There were no warning lamps, messages, or prior symptoms before the failure occurred. We had to stop on a narrow shoulder with no guardrails, leaving us exposed to fast-moving traffic and putting our safety at serious risk. The vehicle was inspected by a local dealership, who diagnosed the issue as a failed fuel injector. This component is available for inspection upon request. The problem has not been reproduced, but the diagnosis has been confirmed by the dealer.

NHTSA complaint #11676648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Hyundai Kona White Hall, AR

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

my Kona sputters when I put it in gear EVERY TIME. I have purchased gas at several stations so getting bad gas in the tank cannot be an issue. I’ve also had to replace the coil packs twice within 6 months. December 2024 and July 2025

NHTSA complaint #11673219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Hyundai Kona Nashville, TN

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My engine started shuddering and stalling out on me. This was very dangerous as the car would stall out at street lights and intersections. The check engine light only came on after the car stalled out and has not stayed on during the times that it stalls out. When I went to get a mechanic to check it out they said that they had seen many Hyundai and Kia cars that had the same issues. The issue was oil consumption. It was consuming oil faster than it should have, even though I was regularly getting my oil changed. This lead to a problem with my pistons. Now the engine needs to be replaced. But Hyundai won’t cover it because there is no recall on it and the power train warranty only last for the first owner. Is there any way we can request for a new recall on this vehicle as it is clearly a problem that Hyundai is having.

NHTSA complaint #11659463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Hyundai Kona San Jose, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My vehicle loses power while driving

NHTSA complaint #11637541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Hyundai Kona Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ

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.

2023 Hyundai Kona Dahinda, IL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I received a notification by email from NHTSA about a recall for our 2023 Hyundai Kona N. It states that the recall has to do with Loss of Drive Power from Fuel Pump Failure. Your recall ID 24V528 sent July 22, I phoned the dealer, Mike Murphy in Peoria, Illinois and they could not find this recall. I have an appointment with them on Oct 24 to bring in my car for an oil change and to fix a recall on the trunk lock (I was not given any info on this recall until I contacted the dealership). Since I put in my VIN # above, It did not turn up anything either. What's going on and why are you sending Recalls that have nothing to do with my vehicle (?)

NHTSA complaint #11620184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Hyundai Kona Wildwood, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

When stopped at a light, I hit the gas and the car just sputtered. The car jolted and did not move, finally, hit the gas again it was able to move. It has happen before. My roommate's Dad told me I need to keep track of problem and file a report. I was told the injectors needed to be cleaned. I put injector cleaner into it, It seem to help but it happened again. It seems the dealer just says something needs to be cleaned.

NHTSA complaint #11616081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Hyundai Kona Webster, NC

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.

2019 Hyundai Kona Philadelphia, PA

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.

2018 Hyundai Kona Brea, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

8/29/20002, the ABS brakes system and Fuel Injection system 10/31/2022, Battery 11/8/2022, car stalled on the freeway 11/9/2022, Car stalled on the freeway 11/19/2022, Timing Control and camshaft position sensors 12/2/2022, Engine fire, the smell of burning plastic 1/9/12, Grinding noise near the right rear tire. I can provide the invoices under separate cover .

NHTSA complaint #11514496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Hyundai Kona problems