Hyundai Kona 2018-2023: Problems and Reliability

The first-generation Hyundai Kona won over Quebec with its styling, its subcompact size, and, from 2019, a fully electric version. In its last production years, it topped 10,000 sales a year in the province. Two serious problems await every buyer, new or used. The high-voltage battery in 2019 and 2020 Kona EVs can catch fire. Piston rings in the 2019-2021 2.0-litre wear out the engine. Before you sign, run the VIN on the Transport Canada website.

• High-voltage battery, 2019-2020 Kona EVs. Some LG cells can short-circuit, up to a fire. The vehicle can be driving, plugged in, or simply parked. Hyundai inspects, updates the software, and replaces the battery as needed. An 80% charge limit is not enough.
• Oil and 2.0-litre engine (2019-2021 gasoline). The piston rings did not receive the proper heat treatment. The oil level drops. The engine knocks, and sometimes stalls. The campaign also covers the Elantra and Veloster, not just the Kona.
• Electronic braking, 2019-2021 Kona EVs. An abnormal sensor signal can cut brake assist all at once. Stopping distance increases. Hyundai corrects it with a software update.
• Start/stop pump (2023 gasoline). The system shuts off the engine at a red light. An electric pump then keeps oil pressure up. Its circuit can overheat to the point of fire. Hyundai asks owners to park outdoors until the repair.
• 1.6-litre turbo transmission, not under recall. It jerks on takeoff. No Canadian recall. The Kona N does not use this transmission.
• Power converter, 2021 Kona EV. A poorly sealed gasket lets coolant in. Power drops.

Technical briefing

In Canada, the first-generation Kona (2018-2023) is a five-seat subcompact SUV, assembled in Ulsan, South Korea. No hybrid version in Canada. Hyundai Canada covers new vehicles for 5 years / 100,000 km, and the EV system for 8 years / 160,000 km.

Most common problems

Transport Canada has several campaigns on the 2018-2023 gasoline and electric Kona. Nine target a safety repair. The horn is a warranty extension. The same recall often covers the Elantra, Veloster or Ioniq, not just the Kona. Outside of recalls, the 1.6-litre turbo’s transmission jerks. In the United States, some 2018 gasoline models also have engine fires, outside any campaign.

High-voltage battery (2019-2020 Kona Electric)

Without question the most serious problem of this generation. In some LG cells, a poorly folded anode tab lets lithium build up and short-circuit. The fire can happen while driving, during charging, or simply while parked.

Hyundai first inspected the packs, updated the software and replaced the battery as needed under Transport Canada recall 2020-477. A second campaign limited charging to 80%, then required a full replacement (2021-109, also the 2020 Ioniq Electric). Batteries already new after the first wave are not covered. Free of charge under the recall. The 2021 to 2023 model years remain outside these two campaigns.

Radio-Canada documented a garage fire in Île-Bizard in July 2019. The vehicle was not plugged in, according to the owner. Another case, an underground parking fire in Lebourgneuf in August 2022. Until the battery is replaced, Hyundai asks owners to park outside, away from structures. An 80% limit is not enough. On a used 2019 or 2020, demand dealer proof, VIN in hand. A monitoring software fix is circulating in Europe in 2026. Transport Canada had not listed it as of September 1, 2026. Check the VIN with Hyundai anyway.

The 2.0-litre that burns its oil (gasoline 2019-2021)

The piston rings scrape oil off the cylinder wall. They did not get the proper heat treatment and wear out too soon. Oil gets past, so pull the dipstick. If the level has dropped, the engine is burning oil. The engine ticks or knocks. The oil-pressure light comes on, sometimes too late. The engine can stall while driving. In the United States, the 2019 model year has the most engine complaints. Engine-compartment fires are also reported there, including on 2018s outside the campaign.

Transport Canada 2021-252 covers the Elantra, Kona and Veloster, not the Kona alone. The 2018 and 2022-2023 2.0-litre, the 1.6-litre turbo, the N and the EV remain outside the campaign. Hyundai inspects, installs monitoring software and replaces the long block as needed, at no charge. On a 2019-2021, demand proof of inspection. Watch the oil. A 2021 is still covered.

Electronic braking (electric Kona 2019-2021)

The electric Kona relies on a braking system that amplifies pedal effort. An abnormal sensor signal can drop that assist all at once. Stopping distance increases. Transport Canada 2020-593 also covers the Nexo. Hyundai corrects it with a software update at the dealer.

Power converter (electric Kona 2021)

On some 2021 models only, the seal on the housing that manages the motor’s electricity was poorly sealed. Coolant gets in and power drops. Transport Canada 2022-728. Hyundai inspects, then replaces as needed.

Start/stop, oil pump (2023 gasoline)

The start/stop system shuts the engine off at a stop, at a red light, to save fuel, while a small electric pump keeps pushing oil. On some 2023 gasoline models, that pump circuit can overheat. A fire is possible. Electric versions and the N stay out of the campaign.

Transport Canada 2023-414, several models. Hyundai asks owners to park outside until the repair. Hyundai then cited four thermal incidents, Canada and the United States combined.

7-speed transmission, not a recall (1.6-litre turbo)

The 1.6-litre turbo, all years, is paired with a dry dual-clutch transmission that jerks at takeoff, between first and second gear. Dealers have sometimes said it was normal. No Canadian or U.S. recall. Bulletins and clutch parts exist depending on the case. A city test, in traffic and on a hill, remains the best filter on this turbo. The Kona N does not use this transmission.

Kona N (2022-2023)

Its 8-speed transmission has a separate recall. A failing pump can cut power to the wheels after 20 to 30 seconds. Transport Canada 2022-568, several models. On the Kona, the 2022 model year only.

A fuel pump (2024-403) covers the 2022-2023 N. Symptoms range from a rough idle and a check-engine light to a loss of power. The N remains rare in Quebec.

Horn and 2018 driver aids

Water corrodes the horn contacts on gasoline and EV models, 2018-2023. Transport Canada 2025-636, several models. Hyundai does not replace every horn. The warranty is extended to 10 years / 200,000 km if the horn fails. Test it. Especially on the 2018s, the blind-spot warning and cruise control sometimes cut out. Feel it on the road.

The recalls

The campaigns below often cover several Hyundai models, not just the Kona.

Before any purchase, look up the VIN on recalls-rappels.canada.ca, then on Hyundai’s tool.

What owners say

In Quebec, winter makes the difference. The 1.6-litre turbo is all-wheel drive only. Heated seats and a heated steering wheel really help. On the Hyundai Kona forum, the 7-speed transmission comes up often. Jerks at lights, in traffic, on hills. Sometimes a bulletin, sometimes they tell you it’s “normal.” Test it yourself, cold engine, before you sign.

From launch, every electric Kona sold in Canada has a heat pump, including the base Preferred. A 2019 CAA-Quebec test put range around 250 to 300 km on a single charge, even in winter. Enough for Montreal to Quebec City, with winter tires. On a 2019-2020, demand proof of the new battery from the dealer.

On a 2019-2021 2.0-litre, pull the dipstick between oil changes. If the level has dropped, the engine is burning oil. It can knock, then stall. On a test drive, also feel the liftgate, the steering and, on a 2018, the blind spot.

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To wrap up

If you have found a Kona at a good price, before you go further with the deal, pull the VIN and check the recalls. A 2019 2.0-litre with no proof of inspection is not a bargain. Neither is a 2019 EV still limited to 80%.

2018 gas, 2.0-litre. Outside the Canadian campaign. In the United States, engine fires are reported. Test drive, oil, blind spot, cruise control, horn.

2019-2021 gas, 2.0-litre. Proof of inspection 2021-252, monitoring software, new engine if prescribed. Without that paperwork, walk away.

2022-2023 gas, 2.0-litre. On a 2023, confirm the start/stop pump (2023-414). Park outside while it remains open.

1.6-litre turbo, all years. A city test drive is mandatory. Traffic, hills, cold start.

2019-2020 Kona EVs. Without a replaced battery (2020-477, 2021-109), walk away. Also demand the 2020-593 braking recall.

2021 Kona Electric. Brakes 2020-593 and converter 2022-728.

2022-2023 Kona Electric models. Outside the two Canadian LG battery campaigns. VIN at Hyundai, and the horn.

2022 Kona N. 8-speed transmission (2022-568) and fuel pump (2024-403).

2023 Kona N. Fuel pump (2024-403) only.

Run the VIN on recalls-rappels.canada.ca and recalls.hyundaicanada.com. Invoices, Carfax, a test drive.

Safe travels!