2021 Hyundai Kona Engine Recall (21V301)
Hyundai Motor America · 158,493 vehicles · Reported April 28, 2021
Hyundai Motor America is recalling 158,493 2021 Hyundai Kona; 2021 Hyundai Veloster vehicles. 0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage. 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. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V301 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V301000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 203 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | April 28, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Hyundai Motor America |
| Vehicles | 2021 Hyundai Kona; 2021 Hyundai Veloster |
| Units affected | 158,493 |
| Component | Engine |
| Safety 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. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Hyundai Kona in recall 21V301?
0L Nu MPI engines.
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.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Kona with recall 21V301?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: 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.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: 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.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the engine.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V301?
Recall 21V301 covers 158,493 vehicles: 2021 Hyundai Kona; 2021 Hyundai Veloster.
NHTSA lists 158,493 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Hyundai | Kona |
| 2021 | Hyundai | Veloster |
What is the fix for the Kona engine recall?
Yes. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge.
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.
Manufacturer recall number: 203.
When was recall 21V301 announced?
Hyundai Motor America reported recall 21V301 to NHTSA on April 28, 2021. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as August 24, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| April 28, 2021 | Hyundai Motor America filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V301000. |
| August 24, 2021 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 66 months ago. If your Kona was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Kona is part of recall 21V301?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V301 is open on your Kona, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 21V301000 is open on your Kona, it will be listed there, along with Hyundai recall number 203. You can also ask any Hyundai dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Kona owners do about recall 21V301?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V301000 applies to your Kona.
- Call a Hyundai dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the engine happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Kona owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 127 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 82 of them about the engine.
Since recall 21V301 was reported on April 28, 2021, owners have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA about the engine on these vehicles. 10 of them (12%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the engine and were received on or after April 28, 2021, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related engine issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 127 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 82 of them involve the engine. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Hyundai Kona: 116 complaints in total, 79 about the engine
- 2021 Hyundai Veloster: 11 complaints in total, 3 about the engine
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
2021 Hyundai Kona check engine light came on while driving, within 10 minutes oil light and battery light came on and at the same time these lights came on the car stopped working. The engine stalled, leaving the car stuck in the middle of the road.
2021 Hyundai Kona owner, MA, NHTSA complaint 11639227, filed January 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally and failed to idle properly. The vehicle lost power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was then steered to the side of the road where the vehicle then stalled.
2021 Hyundai Kona owner, VA, NHTSA complaint 11651868, filed March 31, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle lost automotive. The contact restarted the vehicle immediately and was able to continue driving. The contact also became aware that the oil level was extremely low.
2021 Hyundai Kona owner, PA, NHTSA complaint 11656037, filed April 22, 2025
Can recall 21V301 make my Kona a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Owners often ask whether this engine recall means their Kona qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Engine defects can mean stalling, loss of power, oil consumption or overheating. When the same engine complaint brings the 2021 Hyundai Kona back to the dealer more than once, that history matters under California's lemon law.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Hyundai Kona has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A typical pattern: an owner reports the transmission slipping, and the dealer can't verify it. Six months later, NHTSA issues a recall for the same problem. Because the recall confirms the defect, the mileage offset goes back to that first visit.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Kona been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Hyundai Kona recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V301
Did the recall 21V301 fix work?
Since recall 21V301 was reported on April 28, 2021, owners have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA about the engine on these vehicles. 10 of them (12%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed August 24, 2021.
Is the 21V301000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Kona is part of recall 21V301000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V301000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Hyundai. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.