I have a 2026 Hyundai Kona that I’ve only had for 3 months and it has 7192 miles on it. Today I turned my vehicle on and the screen that displays my mileage, speedometer, gas level, coolant temp gauge, tire pressure monitor, and other safety features was blacked out with the words “NO SIGNAL” in red. I turned my car on and off a couple times and it still said the same thing. Eventually the dash came back on but now it’s randomly shows the dash display and then goes to a completely black screen. I contacted the dealership and have an upcoming appt however I will not be driving the car because I’m not able to gauge what speed I’m going, if I’m running out of gas, or if my car overheats. There were no previous warning signs; no warning light on the dashboard. The Hyundai app states all systems in my car are working fine. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police insurance rep, or anybody else yet.
Hyundai Kona overheating problems
12 of the 816 owner complaints about the Hyundai Kona describe engine overheating, most of them for the 2022 model year.
- owner complaints
- 12
- worst model year
- 2022
By model year
- 20261
- 20226
- 20213
- 20201
- 20191
Often reported together
Stalling 2Fire or smoke 2Knocking 2Check engine light 2Warning lights 1Loss of power 1
What owners say
My radiator has coolant leak. I noticed the fluid getting low and the smell. I had to put fluid in 2-3 times the last month. I took it into the shop and they confirmed that it is the lower left part of the radiator that it’s leaking from and it has to get replaced. I did notice on a campaign 24\-EM\-005H\. for the Hyundai Kona 2022. But my VIN number wasn’t part of that. It is having the same leak and I have to get the radiator replaced. My car has 65000 miles on it so it wasn’t covered under warranty. It is in the auto shop now and will cost me over 1200 to get it fixed.
The vehicle displayed a warning lamp indicating a Cooling System Performance failure. The specific defect relates to the Integrated Thermal-Management Module (ITM) and the thermostat opening prematurely, corresponding to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P218100. This issue requires a repair outlined in Technical Service Bulletin 25-EM-007H, involving a spring installation and ECU update. This failure creates a serious safety concern because improper thermal management can cause the engine to overheat or force the vehicle into a reduced-power 'limp mode' without warning. A sudden loss of acceleration or engine stall while driving in traffic significantly increases the risk of a crash.
I’ve been having issues that align with the Safety Recall 239 to repair a condition involving the Electric Power Control Unit ("EPCU"). I seem to be having by a coolant leak, my car is overheating, has stalled and has struggled to start. I started noticing something wasn’t right a couple of weeks ago but wasn’t sure what until more “symptoms” have occurred since and I found the recall information. My air conditioner also will stop blowing cool air when the over heating happens. No lights have come on my dash board alerting me of anything needing to be serviced.
I had the radiator replaced by the Ourisman Hyundai Laurel dealership on 10/1/25. Radiator replacement was under warranty. On 10/4/25car overheated while driving. I pulled the car over and called for a tow truck. Car was leaking lots of coolant. Brought it to service center at Ourisman Hyundai Laurel, they stated “the hose to the thermostat was not all the way on. Put hose on correctly no more leaking.” On 10/15/25 multiple lights came on the dashboard including the master warning light. Took car to Ourisman Hyundai Laurel again; received the car back, dealership stated “ TECH COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE LIGHTS POPPING ON DASHBOARD. UPON FURTHER DIAGNOSIS TECH FOUND THAT THERE WAS A CONNECTOR NOT GETTING THE PROPER CONTACT TO COIL NUMBER 1 TECH RECONNECTED THE CONNECTOR AND TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR 5 MILES. NO CONCERNS PRESENT AT THIS TIME.” On 10/20 I brought the car in to Ourisman Hyundai Laurel again because Electronic Stability Control light as well as ABS warning light and several other warning lights came on multiple times. Ourisman Hyundai Laurel service technician said they could not duplicate the problem and there is nothing they can do. This is a safety issue because it concerns the electronic stability control and brakes.
On Christmas, Wednesday 25, 2024, my husband and son were in the car with the husband's driving and they heard a knocking sound as if going from the engine, and the car was losing power; there was no the "check engine sign" but it was remembered that few days before that there was the oil lamp sign lighting up for seconds and then disappearing, and also, the blind spot signal not working. So, we brought the car to our local mechanic, and he inspected the engine and said that the left back cylinder is broken. I called the Hyundai corporation and they advised to bring the car to the Hyundai repair shop- the car was then inspected in the shop - found some " lower rod bearing failure" but the Hyundai denied a Goodwill claim because of some maintenance neglect which has not been true - they had all our oil change receipts - I am the original owner - bought the car in finance and overall paid it off in 5 years - the car cost me 30K brand new- we were changing oil as soon as the message for the need to change oil would come up - every 5 - 5.5 K miles, all the records have been sent to the corporation, they have just said " neglect" out of the blue...They have denied the Goodwill engine replacement based on that falsely stated "neglect." I see there have been recalls for the oil ring piston issues in Konas including 2019 - for the engines 2.0L Nu MPI- the cylinders would start knocking from some overheat of the ring. Our engine is 1.6 GTI - but the engines are related, and our problem seems to be the same as in that 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Please, look for the similar cases for those Kona GTI Turbo engines for 2019- the one we have, seems that our Kona is fitting into the profile of those defected engines and the recalls like the one under the number 21V 301 203. Please, help!
My Check Engine light came on and stayed steady (not blinking). The Cause for it is Unknown to me. I took it to the Dealership and they scheduled me to bring it in 3 days later, 3/12/24, to determine if it was something simple or if would take up to a couple days to fix. They assured me that if the light remained steady, I would be fine to drive the car. If it began blinking, then bring it back in. If the fix would take a day or more, they don't do loaner cars so I'd have to rent one (no cars to borrow and Ubers don't take wheelchairs). Approximately an hour after I arrived on 3/12 (I had to wait for my car), they gave me my car back. They had to order a part that was on back order that could take weeks or months to arrive. The part had something to do with preventing the engine from overheating, but I was not to worry so long as the Check Engine light stayed steady. They then asked how many miles I typically drove each day, "just around town, right?" I answered, usually, but that I was currently taking medical treatments for the next two weeks which involved around 70 miles roundtrip plus my usual daily miles. The Service person winced at that. They then told me that if the car overheated, to not worry, just pull over until it cooled off, and if it didn't, just use the Roadside Assistance service, then bring the car to the Dealership and they'll give me a loaner car (?!?) until my car could be repaired. A bit in shock, I left. After thinking about it, I find the Dealership's handling suspicious. 1) They didn't give me any paperwork. In all previous interactions, they've given me paperwork even if I've only had my fluids topped up. 2) If a back ordered part could take up to months to come in, it seems most likely to me that the scarcity is due to huge number of customers needing the part, not a supply-chain issue. I am disabled and in a wheelchair, so need my car to take care of myself. I hope everything is actually okay. If not, please help.
Coolant Leak. Integrated Thermal Management started Leaking at around 16,000 Miles. Part replaced 12/14/23. Leaks continues
I was driving up an incline when I overheated, causing smoke to come out of the transmission case. The vehicle suddenly stopped in the middle of the road, which could have caused an accident or fire. Regarding the transmission, I opened the hood to let the vehicle cool down for an hour.
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).
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
- What is wrong
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Elantra, Venue, and Kona vehicles. An electrical short circuit may occur in the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve assembly, which can result in a loss of drive power.
- Risk
- A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 28, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 260.
Recall number 24V308000 · Recall details
Engine
- What is wrong
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
- Risk
- A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9460.
Recall number 21V301000 · Recall details
Questions about the Hyundai Kona overheating
Which Hyundai Kona years have engine overheating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2022 (6 complaints), 2021 (3 complaints) and 2019 (1 complaints).
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