Hyundai Kona grinding brakes problems

Filed Jul 13, 2026 · Engine · 123,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, there was a loud clunking sound coming from the engine bay, followed by grinding gear sounds. The vehicle lost drive power, causing the driver to coast over to the side of the road, where the vehicle eventually stalled. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the timing belt had failed, and the cam gear rod had sheared off inside the exhaust camshaft, which caused the timing belt to jump and the cam chain tensioner to fracture. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

Filed May 11, 2026 · Engine · PA

Engine light comes on starts flashing as well as the oil light occasionally. If you slow down or have to stop it completely shuts down you have to put in park and restart the car to get anywhere and start stopping in front in the middle of traffic. So if you slow down to go up a hill or anything, it just stops completely. Also making a clicking or grinding sound not sure.

Filed Aug 8, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · MD

Significant Mechanical and Drivetrain Problems: ◦ Loss of Drive Power and Sluggish Acceleration: Reported as early as [XXX] ("bumpy driving, grinding and clanking noise"), with issues worsening by [XXX] ("slower acceleration, bumpier ride, metal clinking and cracking sounds"), and most severely on [XXX] ("car shifts hard to the left then goes back and forth (wobble)," "greatly reduced" power, and "snapping" noises). You've had at least five repair attempts for these issues. ◦ Vehicle Shaking/Wobbling: This has been a recurring complaint since [XXX] ("car shakes when accelerating") and continued through multiple visits, including [XXX] ("wobbly feeling"), [XXX] (shifts "back and forth (wobble)"), and [XXX] ("bounces excessively"). ◦ Loose Steering/Difficulty Turning: You've reported "difficulty turning" and "resistance when turning left," with a feeling of "less control" or "lack of control" while turning. This was noted on [XXX], and persisted through [XXX], and [XXX] ◦ Noises from Underneath the Vehicle: Complaints include "grinding and clanking noise" (XXX), "loud noises" ([XXX]), and "metal clinking and cracking sounds" (XXX), and "snapping" noises (XXX). • Electrical/Infotainment System Malfunctions: ◦ Interior and Exterior Lights Turning Off While Driving: On [XXX], all interior and exterior lights turned off for approximately 3 seconds while driving. ◦ BlueLink Service and Infotainment System Disconnects/Shutdowns: ongoing issues with BlueLink service, including loss of connectivity and interruptions. • Numerous Repair Attempts and Days Out of Service: ◦At least eight separate service visits for these issue INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 17, 2024 · Transmission · VA

The issue is when I'm decelerating to around 5 mph and go to accelerate again, there is a horrible grinding sound from the transmission and I can no longer accelerate. I then have to stop and re accelerate. This is dangerous if there is a car coming and I pull out and have to stop all of a sudden. I have 2 separate videos of the issue. The dealership won't fix it under warranty because they can't replicate it. The dealership won't even take a look at anything.

Filed Feb 23, 2024 · Body · NV

I took my car to Hyundai due to the rear spoiler squeaking on warm days. Sounded like it was rubbing plastic on plastic. The dealership wanted $200 to just look at what the problem might be. I couldn't afford that. I went home and researched how to look into it my self. I removed the interior top trim piece and 3 locking nut/washer combos fell out of the trim piece. Only 5 nuts hold the spoiler in place and the 2 other nuts were loose. My spoiler could have fallen off at anytime. Only reason I thought to check for this after I got home was someone mentioned the same problem on another Hyundai Vehicle. This clearly is a problem. They are not adding any liquid lock or something to prevent this from happening. I am very good at working on cars, what if the next person isn't and they can't afford to pay to have the spoiler looked at and it falls off. Only thing left that would hold it on would be a brake light wire and the washer hose. I'm not sure if this is a wide spread problem, but if mine can come off driving it daily. I imagine their could be a bunch of spoilers loose and nobody realizes it.

Filed Jan 9, 2024 · Engine · MI

While driving the car, the engine stalls and I'm no longer able to accelerate, despite pressing the gas pedal. I'm able to turn and brake. When this happens, the check engine, oil, and battery lights come on. It is sometimes accompanied by a grinding/banging sound. In order to get my car running again, I have to park it somewhere safe, turn it off, and turn it back on. This is difficult to do on a highway or when surrounded by a lot of traffic. This started occurring in November 2022 and has happened many times since then.

Filed Jul 13, 2023 · Engine · CA

Came off the frwy and stopped and once I got back and accelerated the car began to make metal grinding sound from the engine drove immediately to the dealership that was less then quarter of a mile away. I left it over night and was told the next day it was not safe to drive at all and there was no loaner cars or rental service. 5 days later a loaner was provided. There was no warning light or alert sound for me to know there was something wrong. The car could had stopped on the frwy and caused a major accident. The dealership determined the short block needed to replaced and took action to have it covered under warranty. The car had 13,500 miles on it at the time and 30 days later a new short block was installed and completed with no extra warranty.

Filed May 17, 2023 · Transmission · WI

After Stopping for a traffic sign, I proceeded to go forward when a loud noise occurred ( grinding of gears), I loss power to move forward. A car in back of me had to apply his brakes to avoid hitting me. I pulled over to the curb and parked. Upon starting up again, I did not have full power to accelerate. I also could not put the car in reverse. About 10 minutes later, I received a message on the car information screen “ A possible condition with your Transmission Control System has been detected with your 2021 Kona” “ A full system check is recommended to be done soon”. I then drove it to a Dealership where it is now.

Filed Mar 29, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

8/29/20002, the ABS brakes system and Fuel Injection system 10/31/2022, Battery 11/8/2022, car stalled on the freeway 11/9/2022, Car stalled on the freeway 11/19/2022, Timing Control and camshaft position sensors 12/2/2022, Engine fire, the smell of burning plastic 1/9/12, Grinding noise near the right rear tire. I can provide the invoices under separate cover .

Filed Sep 14, 2021 · Engine · 17,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact had received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was making an abnormal sound and the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. Additionally, the brakes were making abnormal squeaking sounds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer performed an engine inspection test and the brake pads were replaced. However, the dealer informed the contact that it was safe to drive the vehicle with the steering wheel making abnormal noise. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case and informed the contact that the Piston Noise Sensing System software for the recall was available for update. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.