2021 Hyundai Kona Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 120 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Hyundai Kona, 3% of the 120 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have already replaced the transmission out of pocket 7k its began to do the same thing immediately was flushed a 2nd time and told it could be the motor. Also my battery i have bought 2 new batteries in 2 yrs now to find out its a false warning.”
NHTSA complaint #11730099, filed 2026-04“Driving 60mph on I-5 in May 2021. Dry roads, no wind. Vehicle suddenly surged (as if we ran over a speed bump at 60mph) despite there being no debris nor damage on the road surface. The surge felt like the ABS system triggered a single pulse, and then car completely turned off: no engine power, no radio power, no cabin lightning power, no dash lighting nor warning lights. Toggling the ignition to accessory didn't help. I had steering authority and brake authority. With no engine power, I pulled over to the side of the road. I inspected the exterior of the vehicle and there was no damage. …”
NHTSA complaint #11498864, filed 2022-12“My 2021 Kona has undergone five separate oil consumption checks. The engine is depleting oil at an abnormal rate, creating a clear risk of sudden catastrophic engine failure and highway stalling. Dealership service personnel have repeatedly dismissed consumption data despite documented top-offs between 500 and 1,000 miles. Furthermore, this vehicle has already required an entire brake system replacement due to unidentifiable system failures, establishing a continuous history of substantial defects impairing its safety, market value, and use.”
NHTSA complaint #11770754, filed 2026-10“The braking system malfunctioned. Son was driving it, brake light came on, brakes started sinking randomly. Vehicle is very slow to get vehicle to stop and had to hit brake pedal hard to even get vehicle to slow down. Opened the hood to verify if there was brake fluid, it was low. Put brake fluid in and tested brakes, a pinhole was spraying brake fluid. Took to get a diagnostic of the vehicle. In addition to the pinhole leak, diagnostics showed that where the brake lines attach there is a leak at two of the components/areas, and told the vehicle would need new brake lines. …”
NHTSA complaint #11578324, filed 2024-03Related service bulletins
- 10190038Mar 23, 2021This bulletin provides best practice recommendations when performing brake service procedures.
- 10189987Mar 10, 2021This bulletin provides a front brake pad backing plate grease application procedure to address squealing during braking.
- 10183963Nov 30, 2020This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear around the brake caliper area.
Brakes: other model years
Other parts of the 2021 Hyundai Kona
80 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsForward collision avoidance
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsLane departure
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 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