2020 Hyundai Kona Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 12%of 162 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 29,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Hyundai Kona, 12% of the 162 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 29,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While on the highway, a message collision detection system failure flashed on the instrument panel, and the brakes slammed on full, followed by the transmission stuck in 4th gear. I had to leave the highway, and power off the engine - effectively rebooting the car. I continued on to work but I shut off the collision detection system, which has to be set at each power cycle. This has happened to my car 3 times, twice on the highway. Dealer service downloaded logs with no indication of the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11400028, filed 2021-03, 29,000 miles“I am filing a safety complaint against Scott Stark’s South Point Hyundai for selling me a vehicle with an active open safety recall, a blown transmission, an A/C failure, and a dry-rotted tire. Before returning the car for service under a promised 1,000-mile warranty, my sister, who has worked for Corporate Hyundai for 15 years, helped me conduct a full intake baseline inspection at her dealership. …”
NHTSA complaint #11754634, filed 2026-08“Letter below was sent to Hyundai corporate 7 Feb 22. They replied I should work with my Dealership to resolve the issue. Dealership cannot duplicate the fault. Vehicle has 7 speed DCT and currently has about 40k miles. SUBJECT: 2020 Hyundai Kona DCT disengages and/or makes loud banging noise upon normal acceleration from standing stop. Occurrence is random but more prevalent in warm weather. …”
NHTSA complaint #11559897, filed 2023-12“When stopped at a light, I hit the gas and the car just sputtered. The car jolted and did not move, finally, hit the gas again it was able to move. It has happen before. My roommate's Dad told me I need to keep track of problem and file a report. I was told the injectors needed to be cleaned. I put injector cleaner into it, It seem to help but it happened again. It seems the dealer just says something needs to be cleaned.”
NHTSA complaint #11616081, filed 2024-09“Transmission stutters and slips between 1-2k rpms, especially at low speeds and in stop and go traffic. I took my vehicle to the dealer. At less than 20,000 miles they said transmission wear is at 85%. Unacceptable performance and concerning that this will continue to degrade.”
NHTSA complaint #11551145, filed 2023-10Related service bulletins
- 10241874Aug 17, 2023Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), in response…
- 10213721May 19, 2022Certain vehicles (listed below) equipped with 7-speed Double Clutch Transmissions (DCT) may exhibit abnormal vibration at low speeds. This bulletin outlines the procedures for…
- 10176195May 21, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with the following symptoms and DTC, follow the Service Procedure on Page 3. ï· Check Engine light on ï· DTC P0880/P088000 - TCM…
- 10174807Apr 17, 2020The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following components for both OEM (new) and remanufactured automatic transmissions:
- 10172225Feb 20, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related…
- 10170899Jan 2, 2020This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and repair a transaxle for the following Incorrect Ratio DTC (transaxle clutch slipping more than 200 rpm in gear).
- 10170511Dec 17, 2019If you are servicing a vehicle with a transmission slipping concern, follow the Service Procedure shown below and perform a stall test. This TSB provides a procedure to test each…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 10% |
| 2025 | 4 | 14% |
| 2024 | 3 | 6% |
| 2023 | 10 | 15% |
| 2022 | 18 | 18% |
| 2021 | 14 | 12% |
| 2020 | 20 | 12% |
| 2019 | 19 | 10% |
| 2018 | 11 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2020 Hyundai Kona
109 complaintsOther or unknown
17 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsForward collision avoidance
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsLane departure
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Hyundai Kona
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology