2021 Hyundai Kona: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Mar 9, 2026 · Engine · 121,334 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop and while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled unexpectedly. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road, and the vehicle was turned off and restarted, and continued driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone, where it was determined that the spark plugs had failed and needed to be replaced. The spark plugs were replaced; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The failure had occurred three times; however, the last time, the vehicle failed to restart, and there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the turbocharger and the piston rings had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The contact became aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,334

Filed Sep 16, 2024 · Engine · FL · fire

I had a 2021 Hyundai Kona limited. On Friday 09/13/2024 my engine caught fire and my car was a total loss. Minutes before the fire I noticed some smoke, all of my dash lights came on and the car shut down. Seconds after stopping the vehicle and getting out the whole engine went up in flames. There are recalls active for my make model and year, nothing for my specific vin number but will be reaching out to Hyundai corporate to see if they want to come look at the car, in case it needs to be added to the recall list.

Filed Jan 18, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · 23,000 miles · TX · fire

The contact stated that she was an insurance company claim adjuster who was calling on behalf of an insured consumer, who owned a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, the vehicle caught on fire. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated before the incident. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a report. The contact stated that the insurance company sent an inspector, who determined that the fire originated in the engine compartment. The contact stated that the entire vehicle burned and only the frame remained. There was no injury sustained. There was no police report filed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard, where it was totaled. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine); however, the VIN was not included. The contact did not know whether the dealer and the manufacturer were contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

Filed Oct 7, 2022 · Wheels · IL

I recently blew out my front tire and put on the Hyundai supplied emergency spare. Within 15 minutes of driving, no more than 10 miles, I was flagged down by another driver because a huge cloud of smoke was coming from my car. I had the car towed into a dealership and they informed me that the spare tire that Hyundai supplied me damaged the transfer casing on the front tire, causing the smoke. I was told to never put that tire on the front of my car or it will again damage my car. I contacted first my local selling dealer. They were no help. They informed me that the spare tire was the correct part and I needed to contact Hyundai directly, which I did. After a week of investigation, [XXX], from their National Consumer Affairs department, indicates that Hyundai has essentially washed their hands of my problem and said it is the correct part and I should use that. I said it damaged my car and the response was it is only supposed to be on long enough to get to a repair shop. My car was overheating after only 10 miles. Smoke was coming from my car after 15 minutes. What if I was on a highway when the tire blew? It could be much longer than 10 miles. Would the car catch on fire? Will Hyundai take responsibility for the possibility of my car catching on fire? What about the dangers to myself and my family? Hyundai is taking no further action on this. I am to use the supplied part, damage, or no damage. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Sep 9, 2022 · Transmission · CO

While driving up a steep mountain road in heavy traffic and snow the transmission on my Hyundai Kona overheated and failed. The car began to buck back and forth and a transmission light came on. Unfortunately I was on a mountain interstate in heavy traffic with no real shoulder due to snow. I attempted to limp the car to the top but moved towards the right lane in case. The transmission did it's bucking thing 3 times total and then I noticed smoke coming from the powertrain area. At this point I pulled over and put my car basically into a snow bank so as not to get run over by semi trucks. I called AAA but was able to get the car up the hill after letting the transmission cool for around an hour. This entire situation was completely unsafe and had I been informed I would not have purchased the car because I know that I spend most of the winter in traffic on a mountain interstate. What's even more concerning, this issue is documented heavily online yet the sales reps for Hyundai are not aware. The service department is aware and told me that they couldn't do anything because it was working as it is designed. See here an additional forum which outlines the same issue for another driver. https://www.hyundaikonaforum.com/threads/dct-shifting-annoyances.2428/ Best, Greg

Filed Feb 9, 2022 · Engine · FL

While driving on cruise control set for 45mph the vehicle accelerated to 53 mph. Noticed this multiple times. Also steering wheel making noise and at times hard to turn. All fluids at good level. Then burning smell coming and vehicle revs up when at stop light. And then hard to start. Have had multiple issues with this vehicle. Dealer states all is good. Hyundai is no help. This is a 2021, a new vehicle that should not be acting like this.

Filed Dec 8, 2021 · Acceleration · NJ · crash · fire · 1 injury

The contact’s father owned a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while her father was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was stuck and the seat belt did not lock the contact’s father into his seat during impact. The vehicle crashed into a traffic light pole, went uphill, and then flipped before stopping. The air bags deployed, but the steering wheel air bag caught fire. The contact’s father was able to exit the vehicle. The contact’s father suffered fractured back, chest, ribs, and lumbar spine injuries, as well as head injuries with a brain bleed. The contact’s father was transported to the hospital by ambulance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a police tow yard and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.