2020 Hyundai Kona: excessive oil consumption

Filed Sep 29, 2026 · Engine · AR

COMPONENT THAT FAILED: The engine short block piston rings (related to the federal safety agency recall 203) failed, causing severe cylinder wall scoring. The vehicle is currently located at an authorized Hyundai dealership and is available for manufacturer or the federal safety agency inspection. SAFETY RISK; The defective piston rings caused severe internal oil consumption, resulting in hydraulic oil starvation. This creates a high risk of sudden engine stalling, catastrophic engine seizure, and complete loss of motive power while driving in traffic. CONFIRMATION AND INSPECTION: Yes, the defect has been confirmed. The current Hyundai dealership performed a boroscope inspection, which physically confirmed severe vertical metal scoring in cylinder 3. They also documented that the engine was 1.5q low on oil with zero external leaks, confirming internal consumption. Despite physical proof of the recall defect, the manufacturer is currently refusing to honor the recall repair. WARNING LAMPS/SYMPTOMS: The check engine light illuminated, logging exhaust camshaft timing correlation codes (P0017). This first April 2026 at 169,000 miles. This timing code is a secondary hydraulic symptom caused by the severe internal oil starvation originating from priary lower block cylinder scoring defect.

Filed Sep 27, 2026 · Engine · OH

I was fortunate to check my daughter's oil and noticed that it was almost empty. I alerted the dealer because I recently got an oil change and thought there was a leak, but no oil was on the driveway. The dealer performed an oil consumption test. They said it was 1 quart per 1,000 miles and this is acceptable. There are other models that are on the recall list, but mine is not. The dealer and Hyundai said that they will not pay for repairs because it is out of warranty. The bigger issue here is that Hyundai is aware of this issue (oil burning fast in these vehicles) and they are not warning owners to check their oil. This is a cute car and it is driven by college age girls who do not think about checking oil. If the oil runs dry, the engine can seize up and the car will stop. This can cause an accident and possible fatality. I am very concerned about the safety of my daughter and others. I have 5 quarts of oil in my daughters trunk to top it off regularly. This information needs to be given to owners of these vehicles to increase awareness of the problem an prevent a tragedy.

Filed Mar 19, 2026 · Engine, Steering · CA

My 2020 Hyundai Kona (VIN: [XXX] ) has a persistent engine stalling safety defect that matches Recall 203 (22-01-042H, the federal safety agency Campaign 21V301000 – Nu 2.0L Atkinson Engine Inspection and Replacement). The recall addresses improperly heat-treated piston oil rings causing cylinder bore scuffing, accelerated oil consumption, abnormal knocking, and potential engine stall while driving (increasing crash/fire risk).I first brought the vehicle to Corona Hyundai for repeated stalling while driving. They performed the recall vibration inspection and software update (Campaign 974), stated the test passed, and declared the vehicle "fixed", safe and "good-to-go" Immediately after pickup, the stalling returned worse: approximately 60-80 miles later on XX near the XXX exit (four-lane high-speed highway), the engine completely stalled at 65 mph while merging for an exit. This caused vehicles and semi-trucks behind me to swerve dangerously and very nearly collide with me. The vehicle stalled four more times on the way to my destination in [XXX] .I then took it to the nearest dealer, Carlsbad Hyundai for safety reasons. They performed the vibration inspection again, which also "passed," yet the real-world symptoms would continue unchanged: accelerated oil consumption (I monitor the dipstick and refill regularly), sputtering, knocking noises, and complete engine stalls (dozens of incidents, especially on local roads and turns). The vehicle remains undrivable due to imminent stall risk while moving and putting myself, my passengers and other commuters at high risk of severe injury or death.Both dealers and Hyundai Customer Care (Case #XXX) have refused further action, stating the vibration test passed, they cannot duplicate the concern, and no additional claim can be submitted for engine replacement. Hyundai's TSB [XXX] requires only the vibration inspection; engine replacement is authorized if "NO PASS" – no separate oil consumption test or monitored drive INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.

Filed Sep 8, 2025 · Engine · 22,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated there was a pinging sound inside the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for a multi-point inspection, and it was confirmed that the oil level was extremely low. The contact stated that an oil consumption test was performed. The vehicle had consumed ¾ quarts of oil in a month. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to seek legal assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.

Filed Sep 3, 2025 · Engine · CT

Car has extreme oil consumption and power stalls which are related to a recall in 2021 for bad poston rings which werent properly heat protected. I brought in and they said it was checked for recall but engine was never actually replaced. My warning lights come on for oil when this happens. My engine could either seize or I could lose power on highway. Car dealership laughed in my face when brought and told me id have to fork over 10k for a new engine which doesn't seem accurate considering Hyundai manufactured this vehicle with bad piston rings.

Filed Aug 29, 2025 · Engine · MI

Vehicle showed these warning lights while stalling out at stop signs: FCA, ESC, and DBC. She was able to turn off the car and restart it. We took it to a Hyundai dealership and ran a diagnostic test where they found nothing wrong. They noticed her oil was low, so they topped it off. This was on a Monday. By Saturday, she had this issue again where she stalled out at a stoplight in the center lane of a 4 lane busy road and had to coast to a parking lot where she restarted the car. We then personally checked the oil again, she was almost out of oil!! We added more full synthetic oil. We googled the issue and saw other 2020 Kona's have this issue. I spoke with Hyundai Consumer Affairs to get advice but they said without any open recalls or extended warraties they couldn't help. They suggested the lengthy process of a repeated oil consumption test at the dealership. We are now taking it to an engine shop today (8-29-25) where he will try to put a syntheic blend in after taking out the full syntheic out. The mechanic said sometimes this helps the oil consumption. We will see how the car runs with the blend. He mentioned that his research shows older models had this issue and Hyundai replaced some engines.

Filed Aug 1, 2025 · Engine · TX

I am the original owner of a 2020 Hyundai Kona equipped with the 2.0L Nu MPI engine. This engine has been subject to known manufacturing defects, including excessive oil consumption, timing component wear, and premature failure. Hyundai has acknowledged that my specific engine falls within the range of engines affected by this defect and has confirmed that it is part of a recall/service campaign group. However, Hyundai is refusing to repair or replace the engine because it passed a vibration test back in 2021. That test was performed over three years ago, and my vehicle is now experiencing major engine problems, including the activation of check engine light with code P0017, which refers to crankshaft-camshaft correlation issues — a known symptom of the engine defect. Hyundai is denying coverage based on a test that is now outdated and irrelevant, despite the fact that the engine is part of the known defect group and is showing signs of failure consistent with hundreds of similar cases. The vehicle is no longer under powertrain warranty, but the root cause of the failure is clearly related to the previously identified defect. Hyundai’s refusal to act puts me, and potentially others, at risk of sudden engine failure due to timing or lubrication problems. This is a potential safety issue if the engine stalls while driving. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency investigate Hyundai’s use of past vibration tests to deny coverage for active and dangerous engine defects. Owners like myself should not be penalized for a test performed years ago when clear evidence of failure now exists.

Filed Jan 12, 2024 · Engine · 104,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove to her destination and while shifting the vehicle into park (P), the vehicle was shaking violently. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who determined that the engine was losing compression and referred the contact to a dealer. The contact drove the vehicle for several weeks more due to scheduling at the dealer. The contact observed that the vehicle was consuming oil at an excessive rate. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was constantly illuminated, and the vehicle was intermittently stalling. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer who determined that the cam shaft and timing belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact retrieved the vehicle and the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was stalling, and the check engine warning light was constantly illuminated. The contact returned the vehicle to the same dealer who diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the piston oil rings in engine cylinder #3 were cracked and damaged the cylinder and the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was notified by the independent mechanic of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The contact contacted the manufacturer and was informed that the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

Filed Aug 12, 2023 · Engine · NJ

In December 2022 at 10,000 miles my engine would make knocking noises when idle and hesitate to excelerate before jumping, i took it to dealer and there was no oil on the dipstick. None of the warning lights ever Came on. They started an oil consumption test, did a chamber cleaning on the engine and finally after 3 months and 3,000 extra miles they tell me i need a new engine/ ridiculous a new car with 10,000 miles does this!!

Filed Dec 4, 2022 · Engine · NY

My car has been burning oil and knocking and I repeatedly took it back to the dealer with concern that these symptoms are similar to a recent recall on Hyundai Kona engine due to engine failure. Recently I had an inspection (which passed) and as I was driving away from the dealer the engine light came on and I took the car back and the mechanics told me the car is in engine failure! Engine failure can result in dangerous stalling seizing of engine, oil leaks and fires according to the recall information. It is inconceivable to me that my car (2020 Kona) is not included in this recall when I am having the same issues, and this has gone on for three months during which myself and my family (and other drivers on the road) were in danger.

Filed Jan 29, 2022 · Engine · NH

This vehicle was under recall by Hyundai ( campaign 203 ) For defective piston oil ring. Since day one of owning the vehicle I would notice oil level low by at least a 1/2 quart ( I would top off). After Several trips to the dealer they installed software to detect vibration and it passed . So they said just run it until it dies only then we can replace the engine . Hyundai has since removed car from recall lookup list. Went to 2nd dealer and I'm going through a oil consumption test . They found it uses .4 to .5 quarts ( 2 more tests due) . They say this is normal and they probably will not be able to fix the excessive oil consumption . I have a 2020 Kona with 10,000 miles that can't make it through the oil change cycle with out using oil the oil . I don't know what to do at this point Hyundai is not Honoring the recall . They are trying every trick in the book to avoid their obligations.

Filed Jan 28, 2022 · Engine · PA

2020 hyundai kona. Consumer writes in regards to oil consumption safety recall. The consumer stated the engine would make a tapping sound. A malfucntion light illuminated. The consumer stated the vehicle was out of oil. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer advised the consumer to drive the vehicle 1,000 miles then return it.