YearToAvoid

2020 Hyundai Kona Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 8 Kona years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2020 Hyundai Kona ranks worst of 8 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 158 NHTSA complaints, 72% engine-related. It carries 2 recalls, including one for engine piston rings, and owners reported problems at a median of 12,000 miles.

Complaints
158
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
8 / 3
Injuries / deaths
12 / 1
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
29
26.5 city / 31 hwy

Top 2020 Hyundai Kona problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine113 (72%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain20 (13%)
  3. Other17 (11%)
  4. Electrical System12 (8%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (4%)
  6. Steering7 (4%)
  7. Brakes4 (3%)
  8. Fuel System4 (3%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (3%)
  10. Structure & Body3 (2%)

What owners report

  • Engine reportedly surges or accelerates unexpectedly at low speed, in some cases while parking or pulling into a driveway, leading to a crash.
  • Side curtain airbags failed to deploy in a crash despite a broadside impact that injured occupants.
  • Transmission stalls and the gear shifter becomes stuck between reverse and drive, with the dealer initially calling it normal operation before finding the transmission needed replacement.
  • Electric power steering reportedly lets the vehicle wander between lanes above 40 mph, requiring constant driver correction on straight highway stretches.
  • Engine compartment can emit smoke and catch fire minutes after the vehicle is parked and shut off, with flames spreading quickly.
  • Drivers report the car shifting or feeling like it hydroplanes on the freeway and lagging during acceleration, requiring wheel correction over bumps.
2020 Hyundai Kona complaints: complaints filed per quarter272020 Q12021 Q22022 Q32023 Q32024 Q32025 Q32026 Q3
197 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2020 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2021 Q3 (27).

2020 Hyundai Kona recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V301000Apr 28, 2021Engine158,493 vehicles

    Engine

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 20V022000Jan 17, 2020Other477 vehicles

    Equipment:other:labels

    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."

    Risk: 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.

2020 Hyundai Kona fuel economy and fuel cost

City
26.5 MPG
Highway
31 MPG
Combined
29 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,225
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2020 compared with other Kona years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020182019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Best075028.5
2019Avoid86191128.5
2020Avoid100158229
2021Caution71116128.5
2022Best1498030

All Hyundai Kona years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Hyundai Kona reliable?
Among the 8 Kona model years with data, 2020 ranks worst, with a complaint index of 100 and 158 complaints, 72% of them engine-related.
What problems does the 2020 Hyundai Kona have?
NHTSA complaints center on the engine (72% of complaints), followed by transmission and powertrain (13%) and electrical system issues (8%). The median mileage at failure across all complaints is 12,000 miles.
Does the 2020 Hyundai Kona have a recall?
Yes, it has 2 recalls: one for improperly heat-treated piston oil rings in the 2.0L Nu MPI engine, and one for an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating label. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2020 Kona compare to other model years?
The 2020 Kona has the highest complaint index (100) of all 8 years tracked, worse than 2019 (86), 2021 (43), and 2018, 2022, and 2023, which are rated Best or Good.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Hyundai Kona?
EPA rates the 2020 Kona at 29 mpg combined (26.5 city / 31 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,225.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.