2020 Hyundai Kona: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2020 Hyundai Kona: 2 recalls, 160 owner complaints and up to 30 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment Vehicle recall #20V022000 · 2020 · 477 vehicles
What's wrong: The certification label May indicate incorrect gross axle weight rating (gawr). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) numbers 567, "certification" and 110, "tire selection and rims."
Why it matters: An incorrect gawr could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install new label stickers displaying the correct gawr over the affected areas of the certification label, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2020.
Engine Vehicle recall #21V301000 · 2021 · 158,493 vehicles
What's wrong: 0l nu mpi engines. The piston oil rings May not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
Why it matters: A damaged engine May stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil May leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy piston ring noise sensing system (pnss) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 12 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (107): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (46), warning light on (38), noise or vibration (36).
- Transmission & drivetrain (20): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (9), hard / delayed shifting (7), noise or vibration (5).
- Other / unknown (17): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (4), warning light on (2), fire / smoke (2).
- Electrical (11): the most common themes are electrical failure (4), won't start (2).
The 2020 Hyundai Kona has 160 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 9 Kona model years for complaints (1.8× the average Kona year). Complaints peaked in 2021 (61 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 12,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2019 (193 complaints, 1 recalls), 2021 (119 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 32 | 30 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 33 | 30 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 | 30 | 28 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM7) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 | 29 | 27 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2020 Hyundai Kona.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2020 Hyundai Kona have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2020 Hyundai Kona. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2020 Hyundai Kona problems?
Owners have filed 160 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (107), transmission & drivetrain (20), other / unknown (17).
What gas mileage does the 2020 Hyundai Kona get?
EPA ratings run up to 30 mpg combined (1.6 L, Automatic (AM7)), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2020 Hyundai Kona repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.