Hyundai Kona

cunnifferous

What was happening? Just a time waster?

Basilio

An educated time waster. Insisted to reduce price from the level it was communicated via text and phone. Manipulates data from forums regarding 2019 Kona versus 2020. Really unpleasant experience of hard buying. Offering cash. Vehicle was cheapest priced of available in ROI and additional discount applied.

I sold over 100 vehicles in my life and never met such pushing chatterbox even across Ex Eastern Block lands. Probably I lost ability to separate a time waister from a genuine buyer at initial, first contact stage. Meeting them and letting him drive around was my mistake. Lesson learned. 😀

MojoMaker

There's a few guys like that on here. The ones that always seem to deride anyone that doesn't automatically negotiate 30% off a deal 😅

Lesson learned I guess Basilio.

liamog

Mod Note: A few edits, please avoid directly naming a person on public posts

Basilio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121452619#Comment_121452619

Person was using online pseudonym S*****u of an American computer hacker and co-founder of the hacking group LulzSec. I value privacy so would not post real Credentials. Person is claiming to be an online security expert, not paying taxes in ROI as employed by Boston based company. Authorities should check him up. Offering 18K+ cash.

JayBee66

Why am I seeing sub 20K long range Kona adverts when some dealers are still trying to flog Leaf and Zoe seconds for over 20K?

Is there something wrong with the first generation Kona that I don't know about?

I've test driven one and was most impressed. At less than 20K I'm all the more inclined to buy one.

innrain

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058326497/long-range-kona-2nd-hand-sub-20k

I own one so I can tell you what's wrong with them. The first generation Konas were what we call here "Paddy specced" meaning it was stripped down of a lot of features. Compared to UK versions it does not have adaptive cruise control or stand-alone GPS and all the gimmicks which come with these. The next year model compensates for these and also has 11kW AC charging compared to only 7kW. GPS is important for EVs long drives because it can tell you if it reaches the destination you're aiming for or not. For short commute is not important though. After that Kona is a small car which was the longest range EV at the time but 5 years down the road range is not the most important issue. They were 38k new in 2019 and 50% depreciation after 5 years is quite normal I'd say. In my view they are worth more, reason for which we decided not to sell it. The young one will start driving in a couple of years and why not.

bonoman66

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058326497/long-range-kona-2nd-hand-sub-20k

Couple of things to watch for with earlier Kona Electrics...(Great EVs in general by the way, just a bit small in the back & boot)

1. There was a recall of the main High Voltage Traction battery (the big one, the drivetrain battery under the car not the 12 volt one under the bonnet) for some Konas - I think some of the ones manufactured between 2018 & 2020 approx - Just do a google search for more info.. So if buying a 2018, 2019, 2020 Kona Electric, just check if it was affected by that HV Traction Battery Recall & if so, verify that it had its battery replaced under warranty already.
2. Some early batches of Kona Electrics suffered from or subsequently developed a knocking or tapping sound when being driven. It was usually most apparent at low or very low speeds. The Kona Electric community would later refer to this as the wheel of fortune type sound. (Some Kia eNiro's were also affected as they share the same drive train). Years potentially affected as far as I can recall would be possibly from 2018 - 2020 or 2021.

Do not let any dealer tell you this is a normal sound or just the regenerative breaking system sound. It is not normal. It usually means that either the GRU (Gear Reduction Unit - like the gearbox in an ICE) or the main drive motor, or both need to be totally replaced. Very expensive if you need to have that done out of warranty, costing multiple thousands of Euros. So get a good test drive in a quiet location, do lots of stop / starts, drive at low speed & listen out for a clicking, tapping or knocking sound.

Hope this helps - personally love the Kona Electric & think its great bang for the buck as long as you get a good one!

Basilio

This is just normal age related depreciation. 2019 - 2020 Leafs are now at €15k -16K, 2020 Zoe, with manufacturer`s warranty till 06.2025 you can get for 14K. I have 191 Kona for sale currently and will do a deal if interested, feel free to PM.

So for 18k-19k you are getting Kona with mileage less then 100.000km, battery replaced about a year ago, and there are even examples with motors replaced under the warranty as well. EVs prices are now in line with prices of automatic vehicles fueled by a combustion engines.

There is not that many of them in the country, in 2020 even less vehicles registered compare to 2019

munsterfan2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121482496#Comment_121482496

Hi,

Picked up a 2nd hand 2019 kona recently. Noticed this knocking noise. Should this be brought to Hyundai as a warranty issue ?

Thanks

Basilio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121486013#Comment_121486013

ASAP if yours from Jan 2019. What is the mileage?

munsterfan2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121486047#Comment_121486047

April 2019 thankfully.

bonoman66

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121486073#Comment_121486073

April 2019 provides no safeguard at all from this issue - do not dismiss this from being checked. It'll potentially cost you thousands to fix out of warranty. Owners have had their GRU (gearbox in ICE car) replaced, the sound went away, but came back months later. They then had to have their motor replaced (like the engine in ab ICE car)

Kia acknowledged the issue first in approx April 2021.

Hyundai dragged their heels took a further 12 months to formally acknowledge the issue finally in approx March / April 2022.

Both Kia & Hyundai issued TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) to their internal technical / maintenance teams advising them on a 3 step process to try validate & address the issue.

Here is the Kona TSB (the Kia is very similar)..

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10211676-0001.pdf

Step 1 was to tighten / replace the mounting brackets on the Motor / GRU.

Step 2 (If that didn't solve the tapping / knocking) was to test the GRU by removing it from car, testing it on a bench to see if the sound could be replicated & identified as originating there) & if necessary replace the GRU. (Wait time required for GRU to be replaced as they need authorization from Hyundai to order it as its expensive).

Step 3 (If Step 2 is not the solution) - Replace the Motor (Wait time required for GRU to be replaced as they need authorization from Hyundai to order it as its expensive).

I have read plenty on Kona Electric Owner & Kia eNiro Forums where cars showing the issue were purchased or manufactured anywhere between Dec 2018 & I think 2020 or 2021 (not exactly sure). I have also read to several owners who have had both the GRU AND Motor replaced. Some only get the GRU replaced initially & then have to go back & get the Motor replaced.

There must have been several dodgy batches involved or some form of design flaw with internal components for some period of time while the Kona was being manufactured for the first few years.

I've heard of some Kona Electric owners reporting this sound to their dealers when they bought their car new & the sound developed after 12 months (but that timeframe could be variable & may be dependent on the driving style of the owner). The dealers or tech teams are often behind the owner community when it comes to knowledge sharing or awareness of common problems. So typically dealers initially told owners everything was fine between Dec 2019 & April 2022 (until Hyundai formally acknowledged the problem & issued the TSB for it) when it was actually quite the opposite & a serious issue.

I would be very focused on this sound - better safe than sorry (or deeply out of pocket).

munsterfan2

Hyundai just messaged me to day to arrange a diagnostics with local dealer. Will keep thread updated.

spakman

Mine (191) has a motor noise that kicks infrom around 80km/h and gets louder the faster you go.

Brought it to dealer and showed them the TSB (girl hardly glanced at it, but said she'd tell mechanics).

They said they brought car for a drive and heard the noise but its normal motor noise. I said it wasn't there for the first 2 years, so I can't see how it's normal.

Going to book in again ASAP because I just realised a 5 year warranty means mine will be up next month 😞

bonoman66

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121486047#Comment_121486047

Hyundai state:

Applicable Vehicles: Certain 2019-2020MY Kona Electric (OS EV) vehicles produced until 1/19/2021.

So don't focus on the month of January or even the year of 2019 !

The Kona Electrics exhibiting this issue have had huge variations in their mileage at the time their owners noticed the tapping / knocking sound so do not assume its a high mileage caused issue - its definitely happened in very low mileage Kona Electrics as well.

munsterfan2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121486047#Comment_121486047

51k when I bought it, done about 8k in last 2 months. So just under 60k ( km)

bonoman66

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121486616#Comment_121486616

That sounds unusual if it wasn't there for first 2 years.

However it could be a different issue to the one I've posted the TSB about here as that issue was mostly evident at lower speeds. It did increase in frequency for some owners meaning as they drove faster the knocking / tapping got faster & then may have turned into a whine at higher speeds. Definitely get it checked out further & get it in writing from them that they say its ok (in case it turns into a motor or GRU issue out of warranty, it might give you some leverage).

Hope you get sorted.

bonoman66

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121486611#Comment_121486611

Print out the first couple of pages of that TSB & bring with you or show it on your phone. Make sure they know that you are very aware that Hyundai have already acknowledged a problem like this exists & needs to be checked & fixed etc.. (So they don't think they cab easily fob you off).

I know of 1 owner who was fobbed off for 2.5 years when they repeatedly went to their dealer telling them of this noise. When they went in with the TSB & quoted what the dealer tech teams needed to do, step by step, they ended up having their whole drive motor replaced under warranty & the sound went away! The dealer even asked them not to mention this (that their drive motor needed to be replaced) to anyone!! Don't be fobbed off & make sure they know you are educated about it so you can talk strongly about it.

Basilio

On the service history of my Apr2019 Kona it states Battery/Motor replaced. No issues at all. Covered over 80K, parts replaced 08.22 at about 46K.

zg3409

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121486697#Comment_121486697

I would also leave another copy of tsb on passenger seat so actual mechanic may see it.

If I was 1 month from.warranty I was would get an independent "expert" such as a specialist EV dealer to drive it and give a written statement that the sound is not normal. Dealers are known to play down issues under warranty and they need approval from HQ to do expensive work so they may be told by HQ to not investigate properly. I would also record the sound and if possible get an independent mechanic to confirm it's coming from motor/gearbox by using a sound stick or similar. A rolling road may be needed to confirm.

I warned in the Hyundai Ioniq thread to get gearbox (reduction box) oil changed independently early as it might help reduce the issue. There are videos on YouTube of ioniq procedure, probably identical on Kona. I did mine in my old car and my newer car as soon as I got it.

Jakey Rolling

Picked up a 211 Kona 64kWh recently - it's yet to show any more than 400km range at 100% charge.

Driving economy is at 14.5kWh/100k since we got it. Only use ECO driving mode

It was in Winter Mode - tried disabling this but no improvement in indicated range.

I'm not overly concerned, as this range is sufficient for 90+% of our usage, but can I expect it to improve in warmer weather?

innrain

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121487399#Comment_121487399

Actually if you divide 64kWh to 14.5kWh/100 km you get 440ish km. 14.5kWh/100km it is a quite good consumption rate. The display which we call it Guess-o-Meter or GOM tries to estimate how much range is left. I wouldn't put to much faith in it and personally I'm a bit annoyed I can't switch the range display off. If you take the car on the motorway your consumption would increase to 18-20kWh/100km and the range will loose 3km for every 2 km driven or so. To answer your question yes in the warm weather GOM would think it has more energy available and predict better range. Also will use less energy to warm up the car, driving is a bit more efficient overall contributing to better range.

bonoman66

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121487399#Comment_121487399

Obviously depending on your driving style (not constant heavy right foot :-)) but Yes is the answer to your question.

Many Kona Electric owners (64kWh Battery) easily get 450-500KMs on a full charge during warm weather. Providing its not solely high speed motorway driving.

Even if you drive the Kona 64 in Sport Mode during warm weather and have a mix of town, short motorway bursts, backroads, you can get that sort of 450-500Km range on a full charge.

Absolutely nothing to be concerned about - its one of the best smaller EVs you can buy & very efficient overall.#

If you mostly drive on the motorway, in sport mode :-) , at constant motorway speeds you may expect circa 300 - 340 KM Range from 100% charge, with external wind, temperatures, rain all playing their part in determining how far you'll get.

Jakey Rolling

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121487536#Comment_121487536

Thx - switched on Sport mode in the wet the other day and almost left the road, some kick!

Think I will horse it the 200k up to Dublin at 130kph, just to p*ss of those drivers that think EVs need to drive at pedestrian pace :-)

(will of course have to recharge at the in-laws to get home)

slave1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121487399#Comment_121487399

In a word, yes, our 2019 Kona gets just over 400km range in Summer so your 2021 should no hassle (driving style aside)

Firblog

Hi folks, looking for some info re charging speeds for kona 2019, OH has one and lately doesn't seem to be charging at anything above 50kw, normally below that. Would this be due to cooler weather? Using many different fast chargers - 100 - 150kw, when haven driven 200km+ on long journey, but never charges above 50kw, wouldn't reach 80% charge from 11% in 45mins last time she was charging - seems really slow, should it be charging faster?

innrain

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121548055#Comment_121548055

Max I got 73kW at Ionity in summer. Here is the best case scenario

zg3409

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121548055#Comment_121548055

That's normal. 50kW, theoretical max of 70kW. The max rates are only for a short time in peak summer in hot countries. One of the issues with kona 64kWh is relatively slow real world charging rates meaning 1+ hours to refill. Normally I grab the absolute minimum at public chargers, just enough to get home. Even if it did 70kW it still takes a long time to fill at that rate compared to other cars at 150 or 250kW peaks.

Firblog

Travelling from Donegal to Waterford, she is grabbing the absolute minimum LOL :)