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BrakesPart report

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 2024-03

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026220%
2025414%
2024713%
202335%
202299%
202143%
202032%
201932%

Other parts of the 2021 Hyundai Kona

Engine
80 complaints
Other or unknown
19 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
14 complaints
Electrical system
11 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
5 complaints
Fuel system
5 complaints
Vehicle speed control
4 complaints
Lane departure
3 complaints
Engine cooling
2 complaints
Steering
2 complaints
Wheels
2 complaints
Exterior 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