The Lemon Index2019 Hyundai Kona.
The 2019 Hyundai Kona is about average by owner complaints: 67 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 90, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, and it has 1 recall. The best Hyundai Kona year is 2018.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 195 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Hyundai Kona year. 2019 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 8K to 94K miles on the car (59 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 27K–95K miles
Recalls 1
- engine 2021
The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 94 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a ?Check Engine?
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
- ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Kona SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Kona SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Kona Electric SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $650–2400 a year in electricity (EPA estimate).
In owners' words
Car lost speed on going uphill. Took car to dealer and they found nothing related. I am concerned about this recall. The length of time it has taken to repair and the fact that they do not know how to repair these piston rings.
2019 Hyundai Kona owner · NHTSA complaint 11427700
More owner reports
while driving, oil began to pour into the exhaust system and the engine stopped starting
NHTSA complaint 11489420
While slowing down car would make a whining sound and eventually started grinding. Car also stalled and died while coming to a stop. After that unable to drive or move the car in neutral.
NHTSA complaint 11418022
Quick answers
Is the 2019 Hyundai Kona reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 90; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Kona year by this measure is 2018.
What are the most common 2019 Hyundai Kona problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (61%), transmission & drivetrain (10%) and electrical (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2019 Hyundai Kona have?
1 safety recall (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2019 Hyundai Kona safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2019 Hyundai Kona problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 8,300 and 94,000 miles. The middle report was at 44,000 miles, from 59 complaints.
Does the 2019 Hyundai Kona have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2019 Hyundai Kona cost in fuel a year?
About $650 to $2400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What Hyundai Kona year is better than the 2019?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2021 and 2019.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works