Here Are The Hyundai Kona Years To Avoid
We've identified two of the Hyundai Kona years to avoid. See which years (and why they're considered unreliable).
Unlike its Japanese rival carmakers, Hyundai used to have a reputation for making affordable vehicles but with quality that leaves a lot to be desired. However, as we have seen in the last few years, the South Korean car manufacturer is now a household name in the auto industry. Thanks to its popular models like the Elantra, Santa Fe, and Palisade.
Recently, Hyundai released its smallest crossover SUV, the Kona, helping the company maintain its momentum. With that said, is the Hyundai Kona reliable?
In its first generation, you only have a few years of Kona to choose from if you’re buying used. Therefore, we’ll walk you through the worst Hyundai Kona years to avoid and the ones you can safely buy as used in today’s post.
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Which Hyundai Kona Years to Avoid?
As of this writing, only four Kona model years have been released. We won’t include the newest 2022 version in the consideration. Here are the Kona years you should avoid buying when you can:
- 2018 Hyundai Kona
- 2019 Hyundai Kona
2018 Hyundai Kona
Is the 2018 Kona an unreliable and bad crossover? Not at all! In fact, it has received a positive reception from critics and customers alike. However, being a debut model, the 2018 Kona does have more issues and complaints than the rest of the lineup.
Reported Issues
Maybe because it’s a reasonably new crossover with moderate popularity, the Kona doesn’t have too many complaints, especially compared to its segment rivals. According to CarComplaints.com, the 2018 Kona has 54 NHTSA complaints with no known recalls. That’s pretty good in our book.
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The number one concern with the 2018 Kona is its advanced safety system. According to a few reports, the SUV’s blind-spot collision warning shuts down out of the blue. This is obviously a huge safety issue, especially if you’ve gotten used to the feature. However, as big advocates of safety in driving, it’s always best to visually check your blind spots before changing lanes, even with a working collision detector. But I digress.
Continuing its electrical issues, one owner reported that Kona’s radio station changed by itself. This could be due to the accidental push of a button or stick knobs on the radio. However, it may also have to do with electromagnetic interference. The power source of the radio system may not be adequately grounded or has high wiring impedance.
Another issue that might pop out when you buy a used 2018 Kona is the spotty connection of the Blue Link, Hyundai’s advanced features suite. From refusing to connect to error codes, the Blue Link proves to be quite a headache for Hyundai owners.
One minor issue people complain about the Kona is its poor mileage, or at least not as good as advertised. Apparently, some folks have experienced a drop in mileage over time. Some forum posters attribute this drop to the winter weather, while some believe it has to do with gas quality.
Reviews and Customer Feedback
Although we said the 2018 model is one of Hyundai Kona years to avoid, its debut was actually well-received by critics and consumers. U.S. News gave the 2018 Hyundai Kona an overall score of 8.4 out of 10 and made it the #1 in 2018 Affordable Subcompact SUVs. Other major car websites like CarandDriver and KBB gave the Kona favorable reviews.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE HYUNDAI KONA
There are only a few years available of the Kona, but it’s still tricky to narrow down the right choices yourself - which is where we step in. Read on to learn more about the most reliable Hyundai Kona and other information about the car’s offerings.
The same applies to the customer reviews where owners appreciate the Kona’s peppy performance, excellent infotainment system, and agile handling.
2019 Hyundai Kona
Like the 2018 model, the 2019 Kona roughly fits into this list of the worst Hyundai Kona years to avoid. We’ll tell you outright that the 2019 Kona is a solid crossover SUV that offers tremendous value. However, it does have a few issues that you should know before buying it.
Reported Issues
While the 2019 Kona has a shortlist of reliability woes, some of them can be a cause of concern. According to CarComplaints, the 2019 Kona has 145 NHTSA complaints and one recall.
The number one issue of the 2019 model is with its engine – the worst type of mechanical problem. Many Kona owners reported abnormal knocking noises coming from the engine. This usually leads to decreased engine performance or stalling, which can be highly dangerous.
This was such a widespread issue that Hyundai recalled over 9,952 vehicles from 2018-20 Kona and Veloster. According to the recall notice, the piston rings assembled in the engine may have been defective and caused damage to the piston rings, and cylinder bore. This also may damage the engine as a result, leading to stalls and oil leaks.
Reviews and Customer Feedback
The 2019 Kona also received positive feedback from many known auto websites. U.S. News gave the 2019 Kona an overall rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranked it as the #1 in 2019 Affordable Subcompact SUVs.
Owners of the 2019 Kona also enjoyed their purchase due to advantages such as car-like maneuverability, top-notch safety features, responsive steering, and spacious interior. It may have its issues, but the 2019 Hyundai Kona is a great subcompact crossover SUV.
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Which Hyundai Kona Years are Safe to Buy Used?
So that leaves us with two more Kona years. Quite frankly, you can’t go wrong with the 2020 or 2021 Hyundai Kona. Both crossover SUVs are safe to buy as used because they’re relatively new and have excellent predicted reliability ratings. Talk about ticking all the right boxes.
With the 2020 Kona, Hyundai has stepped up its game in a big way. When the 2018 Kona was released, Hyundai wanted a fresh-looking crossover SUV packed with great features and excellent value. They did precisely that with the 2020 Kona, thanks to its punchy performance, a long list of standard features, and a very competitive price point.
The same can be said with the 2021 Hyundai Kona; it’s just a good crossover SUV. It’s excellent across the board, whether it’s performance, fuel economy, infotainment, safety, etc. The Kona is comfortable, modern, practical, and affordable; what more can you ask for?
Frequently Asked Questions: Hyundai Kona Years to Avoid
Q: Which Hyundai Kona model years should be avoided when buying used?
A: When considering a used purchase, be cautious of the 2018 and 2019 Hyundai Kona model years. While they are not necessarily unreliable or bad crossovers, they have more issues and complaints than the other available model years.
Q: What are the main problems reported with the 2018 Hyundai Kona?
A: The 2018 Hyundai Kona, being the debut model, has faced some issues, primarily related to its advanced safety system. Some owners have reported that the blind-spot collision warning tends to shut down unexpectedly. Other problems include electrical issues with the radio and spotty connections with the Blue Link feature suite.
Q: How severe are the issues with the 2019 Hyundai Kona?
A: While the 2019 Hyundai Kona has a relatively short list of reliability concerns, some can be serious. The most significant issue reported by owners is related to the engine, with abnormal knocking noises leading to decreased performance or stalling. This problem was widespread enough to prompt a recall from Hyundai.
Q: Which Hyundai Kona model years are considered safe to buy used?
A: If you’re in the market for a used Hyundai Kona, the 2020 and 2021 model years are considered safe bets. These newer models have addressed many of the issues found in the earlier years and boast excellent predicted reliability ratings.
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