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Hyundai Kona Gearbox & Transmission Problems

Are you having problems with the transmission of your Hyundai Kona? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest Hyundai Kona transmission issues & faults. We have answered all of the most frequently asked questions relating to problems with the Hyundai Kona transmission.

Problems with the dual-clutch transmission in a 2022 Hyundai Kona 1.6 turbo

Hyundai actually issued a recall for some Konas with the dual-clutch transmission on precisely this basis. At the time, the reason given was that electrical gremlins within the computer-control of the driveline could cause the transmission to lose drive. Obviously, if you’re merging into fast moving traffic or crossing an uncontrolled intersection at the time, a sudden loss of drive could be very dangerous.

To find out if a particular car was affected and whether or not it’s been fixed, you can quote the VIN to a Hyundai dealer who should be able to give you the good or bad news.

Should I buy a Mazda CX-3 or Kona Elite from 2020?

Early this year, Hyundai issued a recall for some Konas built between 2020 and 2022 to deal with problems with the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission which could cause a loss of drive and, therefore, a dangerous situation on the road. So the first check would be to see if your car you're looking at is affected by that recall (a Hyundai dealer will be able to tell you by looking up the car's VIN). If the car is one of the affected ones but the recall's fixes have been applied, then you have less to worry about.

The Kona's engine problems, meanwhile, were another cause for a safety recall after it was discovered that a batch of Konas had defective piston rings which could cause early engine wear and possibly even a fire. Again, these problems were being fixed by Hyundai, but you need to check whether the example you're looking at buying was one of the affected ones and what's been done about it by the previous owner.

The Mazda CX-3 of the same era has not been without its recalls either, including one for a suspension joint that could fail, but overall, the experience of owners suggests the Mazda could be the less risky bet. Again, though, check the service and recall history of any car before handing over the money.

What is the rubbing noise behind the wheel of my 2019 Hyundai Kona?

It’s not unknown for a car-maker to receive a batch of parts from a supplier where the parts in question have a materials or manufacturing flaw in them. Certainly, enough Hyundai owners have reported this same problem for that to be a reasonable hypothesis. The theory about the gear in the steering system is one possible cause for the noise you’re hearing, but I’ve also heard other mechanics suggest that it’s the clock-spring (that electrically powers the air-bags, steering wheel controls, yet still allows the wheel to turn) that’s at fault.

Either way, it’s a warranty job for the dealer to sort out, but experience has shown that Hyundai’s dealers are very good at keeping their customers happy. Meantime, the replacement part should be from a later, improved batch, without the inbuilt flaws, so it shouldn’t happen again.

What is the grating noise behind the wheel of my 2018 Hyundai Kona?

This is a relatively common complaint among Hyundai Kona owners. Sometimes the noise manifests as a buzz or a groan and sometimes it’s loud enough to hear over the stereo. Since your car has electrically-assisted power-steering, there’s no chance that it’s a lack of hydraulic fluid causing the noise, but some Hyundai specialists believe the noise comes from a worm gear within the electric assistance unit. It seems that even in almost new cars, there can be enough wear in this component to cause a noise. The other possible cause is the clock-spring which is a spring that resides inside the steering column and maintains the electrical connections with the steering-wheel mounted controls, the air-bag and the rest of the car, yet still allows you to turn the wheel to steer the car. The good news is that your car is well and truly within the factory warranty period, so a Hyundai dealer is obliged to sort it out for you. Just don’t make the mistake of taking 'they all do that' for an answer.

Is the Hyundai Kona all wheel drive or 4 wheel drive?

The Hyundai Kona doesn't have the option for switchable diff locking, or a low-range ratio gearbox, so it should be considered all wheel drive instead of a 4x4 (which includes those features for off-road driving).

Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
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