KNOWN FAULTS · Hyundai

Known faults for the Hyundai Kona (I).

2017–2023 · Petrol / Hybrid / Diesel / Electric

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

4 known faults with sources

Engines: 1.0 / 1.6 T-GDi (Petrol)

Applies if: Only the 1.6 T-GDi with the 7-speed DCT from 2021–2022 (US bulletin).

Shift shock between 1st and 2nd in the 7-speed DCT caused by an input shaft snap ringAutomatic gearbox

Engine / equipment: Kona (I) 1.6 T-GDi with the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DCT)
Period mentioned: 2021–2022
Symptoms: A sharp knock or jolt when shifting from 1st to 2nd, or when changing down from 2nd to 1st while slowing down. The other gears are fine.
Possible cause described: An input shaft snap ring (circlip) in the gearbox is out of specification. Hyundai fixes it in service campaign T7E (bulletin 22-01-007H, January 2022): the garage checks the shift shock and replaces the ring, with about 3.5 to 3.8 hours of labour.
Check for the garage: Explain that the knock is only between 1st and 2nd and ask them to check whether the car has campaign T7E outstanding, or the input shaft snap ring, before replacing clutches or the gearbox control unit.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 1.0 / 1.6 T-GDi (Petrol) · 1.6 Hybrid (Hybrid) · 1.6 CRDi (Diesel) · Kona Electric (Electric)

Applies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.

1.6 T-GDI chain, electronic brake on hybrids and EVs, and campaigns on the KonaKnown weak points

Engine / equipment: Hyundai Kona I (petrol, hybrid, diesel and electric)
Period mentioned: 2017–2023
Symptoms: A stretched chain on early 1.6 T-GDIs (noise on cold start); direct-injection carbon; a dirty EGR on the diesel; dual-clutch judder; on the EV, cells that discharge quickly; on hybrids and EVs, faults in the integrated electronic brake (IEB).
Possible cause described: The 1.6 T-GDI chain is replaced under warranty; the EV discharge improves with an update. The IEB affects cars built from January 2018 to March 2020. Recalls (KBA): a short circuit with fire risk on the 2018 model year and eCall (1/9–14/12/2020).
Check for the garage: Check the campaigns and updates by VIN; listen to the chain when cold; test the gearbox in traffic.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 1.0 / 1.6 T-GDi (Petrol) · 1.6 CRDi (Diesel)

Applies if: Only with the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (7DCT). Confirm the gearbox type.

Judder on the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (7DCT)Automatic gearbox

Engine / equipment: 7-speed dry dual-clutch automatic (7DCT)
Period mentioned: Approx. 2015–2021
Symptoms: Abnormal vibration or shudder when pulling away and at low speed, especially in traffic.
Possible cause described: Dual-clutch behaviour at low speed; Hyundai and Kia issued technical bulletins with new gearbox software (anti-judder logic) and, if that is not enough, a clutch replacement.
Check for the garage: At the dealer: run the judder test with the diagnostic tool, install the latest gearbox software and replace the dual clutch only if the judder remains.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: Kona Electric (Electric)

Applies if: Built from 2018 to 2020.

Battery fire risk on the Kona Electric: battery replacementHigh-voltage battery

Engine / equipment: Hyundai Kona Electric built 2018–2020 (also about 5,700 Ioniq Electrics)
Period mentioned: 2018–2020
Symptoms: No prior warning: fire risk from the high-voltage battery, also when parked or charging.
Possible cause described: A Korean investigation pointed to defects in the LG Energy Solution cells (LG disputes it). After a first battery-management update that limited charging, in 2021 Hyundai decided to replace the entire battery on about 82,000 vehicles worldwide (75,680 Konas).
Check for the garage: Check by VIN that the battery has already been replaced under the campaign; if not, follow Hyundai’s instructions until it is replaced.
Cost cited in the source: Free under the recall.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.