2020 Hyundai Kona: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2020 Hyundai Kona
On the 2020 Hyundai Kona, the failure owners report most often is other engine problem, and the reports cluster around 10,000 miles. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 10,000 miles. Overall it scores 83 out of 100, severe risk for a 2020.
Severe risk for a 2020 — 17th riskiest of the 235 2020 vehicles we can rate. 199 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
The failures owners actually file about
Owners have reported 45 named failure modes on the 2020 Hyundai Kona, and the three most-reported carry 44% of everything filed.
Other engine problem leads with 67 reports, about 3.4 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 8k to 20,000 miles.
Excessive oil consumption follows with 10 reports, median 10,000 miles.
Other powertrain problem follows with 10 reports, median 30,000 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into engine (99), adas (16) and transmission (13).
At what mileage it happens
52 of the reports on the 2020 Hyundai Kona came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 10,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 81% by 50,000 miles, 90% by 100,000 miles and 96% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed.
The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 46% of the dated reports.
81% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 45. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
Severity, and what it costs
Across the named modes, 11 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 8 an injury and 1 a fatality. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 4.58, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other engine problem at $300–$4,000, excessive oil consumption at $900–$6,500, other powertrain problem at $400–$4,500 and other driver assistance problem at $250–$1,800. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
58% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures, so more than half of what owners complained about here is expensive.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other engine problem | engine | 67 | 23 | 8k | 11k | 21k | 3.4 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Excessive oil consumption | engine | 10 | 3 | — | 9k | — | 0.5 | $900–$6,500 | High |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 10 | 1 | — | 29k | — | 0.5 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 8 | 3 | — | 7k | — | 0.4 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| No-start or intermittent start failure | engine | 7 | 2 | — | 57k | — | 0.4 | $200–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 6 | 3 | — | 5k | — | 0.3 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other steering problem | steering | 6 | 3 | — | 519 | — | 0.3 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Misfire or rough idle | engine | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.3 | $250–$1,600 | Moderate |
| Backup camera failure | infotainment | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $250–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Lane keep or steering assist fault | adas | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $200–$1,600 | High |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 4 | 2 | — | 747 | — | 0.2 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Stalling while driving | engine | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Airbag failed to deploy in a crash | airbag | 3 | 1 | — | 16k | — | 0.2 | $1,000–$5,000 | Critical |
| Software fault or failed update | software | 3 | 1 | — | 160k | — | 0.2 | $0–$600 | Moderate |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 3 | 1 | — | 1k | — | 0.2 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Oil leak | engine | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $250–$2,200 | Moderate |
| Complete transmission failure | transmission | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $2,800–$8,000 | Critical |
| Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure | fuel | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Seat belt or retractor failure | airbag | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $200–$900 | High |
| Sunroof failure or glass breakage | body | 2 | 1 | — | 53k | — | 0.1 | $700–$4,500 | High |
| Catalytic converter failure | emissions | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $900–$3,500 | Moderate |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 2 | 1 | — | 790 | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Complete engine failure or seizure | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $4,500–$12,000 | Critical |
| Timing chain, belt or tensioner failure | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 104k | — | 0.1 | $1,200–$4,500 | Critical |
| Engine knock or bearing noise | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $2,500–$9,000 | High |
| Piston, ring or cylinder wall damage | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $3,000–$9,500 | Critical |
| Lifter, cam or cylinder-deactivation failure | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $1,800–$7,000 | High |
| Radiator or coolant leak | cooling | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $350–$1,900 | High |
| Overheating | cooling | 1 | 1 | — | 12k | — | 0.1 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| CVT failure | transmission | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $3,000–$8,500 | Critical |
| Differential or transfer case failure | drivetrain | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $900–$4,200 | High |
| Fuel pump failure | fuel | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $600–$2,600 | High |
| Fuel injector failure | fuel | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $450–$2,800 | Moderate |
| Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure | electrical | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $700–$3,000 | High |
| Instrument cluster or gauge failure | infotainment | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $350–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Loss of braking | brakes | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $400–$3,000 | Critical |
| ABS module or sensor failure | brakes | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $500–$2,400 | High |
| Parking brake failure | brakes | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,300 | Moderate |
| Steering column or shaft failure | steering | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $600–$2,500 | Critical |
| Exhaust leak or fumes in the cabin | emissions | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $250–$2,000 | High |
| Tail light, brake light or signal failure | lighting | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $100–$900 | Moderate |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 1 | 1 | — | 44 | — | 0.1 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 1 | 1 | — | 160 | — | 0.1 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Unclassified problem | other | 14 | 3 | — | 18k | — | 0.7 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2020 Hyundai Kona draws about 10 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 90th percentile of complaint rates among 2020 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 19,811 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2020 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
Recalls on the 2020 model year
NHTSA has issued 2 recall campaigns covering the 2020 Hyundai Kona, affecting an estimated 20,288 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover engine and equipment:other:labels. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.
ENGINE
158,493 vehicles 2021-04-28- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
477 vehicles 2020-01-17- Defect
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Kona vehicles. 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."
- Consequence
- An incorrect GAWR could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 187.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2020 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
Better and worse years of the same car
Severe risk for a 2020 — 17th riskiest of the 235 2020 vehicles we can rate. Every score on this site is a rank inside its own model year, which is what makes a 2004 and a 2019 comparable at all.
Across the 8 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2023 comes out best at 71 and 2020 worst at 83, with 2020 itself at 83.
If the model year is negotiable, 2023, 2025, 2022, 2018, 2024, 2019 and 2021 score lower than 2020 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2018–2023 generation specifically, 2023 is the strongest year at 71 and 2020 the weakest at 83.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2018-2023 generation, 2023 Hyundai Kona scores best at 71 and 2020 Hyundai Kona worst at 83.
Where to spend the inspection money
The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: other engine problem from about 8k.
On a 2020 Hyundai Kona with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether other engine problem has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.
None of this is a diagnosis. It is a list of what other owners of the same model year reported, ordered by when they reported it, which is a good place to point an inspection and a poor place to stop.
What this page cannot tell you
199 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 199 reports, 52 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 26% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
Named failure modes come from matching phrases in the complaint text, so a badly worded complaint can land in the wrong bucket. The effect washes out across hundreds of reports and does not wash out across five.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Hyundai Kona?
The most-reported failures are other engine problem (67 reports, median 10,000 miles), excessive oil consumption (10 reports, median 10,000 miles) and other powertrain problem (10 reports, median 30,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
At what mileage do 2020 Hyundai Kona problems start?
Other engine problem is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 10,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 10,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 10,000 miles.
Is the 2020 Hyundai Kona reliable?
It scores 83 out of 100 on our risk index, which is severe — 17th riskiest of the 235 2020 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2020 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Hyundai Kona is best?
Within the 2018–2023 generation, 2023 scores best at 71 out of 100 and 2020 worst at 83. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed