2020 Hyundai Kona: fire, smoke or burning smell

6 of the 162 complaints about the 2020 Hyundai Kona describe fire, smoke or burning smell.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 4%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 35 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year

2021
7
2020
6
2019
6
2018
8

What owners say

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Engine · 53,976 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle hesitated, and there was white smoke coming from the exhaust. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the contact was advised to take the vehicle to a dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,976.

Filed Jul 3, 2026 · Engine · NJ · fire

The Kona was driven a 1/2 hour before parking the vehicle. The Kona was turned off. Within 5 minutes smoke began wafting from under the hood. When I opened the hood to inspect I found the engine & underside of the hood was engulfed in flames. I closed the hood immediately. The Kona fully ignited with minor explosions & burnt completely to the metal frame within 25 minutes.

Filed Apr 1, 2026 · NY · fire

On 3/29/26 my Kona caught fire while parked in the front left side of the engine and burned completely within eight minutes. This is not an electric car. Prior to that I drove the car all day with no incident. It was later in the evening around 5:40 PM. I had driven from my house to a restaurant which is about 6.8 miles from my house. I parked my car and then my son-in-law noticed that my engine was smoking. My husband went to check to see if it was the radiator, but he noticed that it was fire and we called [XXX] . I know there are no recalls for my car, but I wanted to report it to you. The car only had 44,900 miles on it and was only serviced by West Nyack Hyundai. The last service was on 1/19/26. If you have any questions, you can email me at [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 12, 2021 · Engine · LA

June 25th I noticed a knocking sound on my vehicle. On June 28th I was driving and noticed the knocking sound and was unable to accelerate. I had to exit immediately. The engine shut off and I was unable to restart my car. I waited a few minutes and checked the oil. The engine was smoking and the oil was bone dry. I then got some oil and put it in the car but the vehicle would not start. I had to get it towed to the dealership on Tuesday, June 29th. I was then told that it wasn't the recall although my car did everything listed on the recall except catch on fire. The dealership is saying there is too much oil in the intake. They are giving me the run around and will not return my calls. I have to physically go up to the dealership in order to get feedback. They only tell me that they do not know when I call them.

Filed Jul 8, 2021 · Engine · NY

The malfunction light came on. Called Hyundai Service center the next day. Told they could not get me in for 2 weeks. Called service dept again the next day bc the vehicle was stalling. Service looked at car quickly the next day. I was told engine needed oil, he put some in and let me go. Right after leaving, light went back on and car was stalling. Called again and finally got them to look at it 2 days later. I was told it needed a new engine and it will take 3-4 months to get an engine. I was accused of driving without oil in the car. Not true. A couple of days later I received a recall notice explaining the exact thing that happened to my vehicle. The recall was issued on April 28 so the dealer must have known about it and never told me. They let me drive away in a vehicle that could catch on fire and had a recall on it. I do not have a loaner car bc supposedly they don’t have one. Service Manager was very rude and the general manager was too. I’ve called twice for a loaner and was never called back. My car is 1 year old, has 12,000 miles on it and they inspected and passed it one month prior to the malfunction light going on. I had to beg the service manager to look at my car bc I was scared to drive it. Burdick Hyundai in Cicero,NY should not be allowed to operate if they are ok with their customers driving a recalled vehicle that can catch on fire. Very scary!

Filed Jun 22, 2021 · 16,000 miles · MA · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving at 20 MPH, the AEB system inadvertently engaged causing the vehicle to decelerate and accelerate on its own. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated several warning lights were illuminated and there was smoke coming from the hood. The contact sustained injuries on the neck and shoulder but did not seek medical assistance at the time. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, then to the dealer but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not provide assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 16,000. Vehicle is a lease. Consumer had numerous issues.