2021 Hyundai Kona: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2021 Hyundai Kona: 1 recall, 119 owner complaints and up to 30 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
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, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (80): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (37), warning light on (23), noise or vibration (15).
- Other / unknown (18): the most common themes are fire / smoke (4), stalls / loses power (3), leaks (3).
- Transmission & drivetrain (14): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (6), warning light on (5), stalls / loses power (4).
- Electrical (11): the most common themes are warning light on (3), stalls / loses power (3).
The 2021 Hyundai Kona has 119 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 9 Kona model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 89). Complaints peaked in 2026 (28 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 23,700 miles. Neighboring years: 2020 (160 complaints, 2 recalls), 2022 (100 complaints, 0 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 |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM7) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 | 29 | 27 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 30 | 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 2021 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.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2021 Hyundai Kona have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2021 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 2021 Hyundai Kona problems?
Owners have filed 119 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (80), other / unknown (18), transmission & drivetrain (14).
What gas mileage does the 2021 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 2021 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.