The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighNHTSA·21V301000·Announced 2021-04-28

Multiple Hyundai models recalled for engine piston ring defect

Hyundai is recalling 2019–2021 Kona, Elantra, and Veloster models with 2.0L engines. Improperly heat-treated piston rings may cause engine damage, stalling, and fire risk.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The defect involves improperly heat-treated piston rings in a critical engine component with potential for serious consequences—engine stalling leading to crash risk and oil leaks causing fire risk. No injuries or incidents have been reported, making this a risk-of-harm product where injury has not yet been reported, consistent with High severity.

Plain-English summary

Hyundai Motor America is recalling approximately 158,493 vehicles from the 2019–2021 model years: Kona, Elantra, and Veloster models equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings in these engines may not have been properly heat-treated during manufacturing.

Improperly heat-treated piston rings can result in engine damage. This damage may cause the engine to stall while driving, which increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, damaged engines may leak oil onto hot exhaust components, which increases the risk of fire.

Owners of affected vehicles should contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Dealers will inspect the engine and replace it if necessary at no cost. Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software as part of the remedy. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 24, 2021.

The recalled product

Product
HYUNDAI VELOSTER, ELANTRA, KONA
Brand
HYUNDAI
Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor America
Category
Vehicle — Engine
Hazard
Affected units
158,493

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (3)

  • VELOSTER
  • ELANTRA
  • KONA

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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