Hyundai KONA Electric
The Hyundai KONA Electric is a battery-electric SUV that entered production in 2019. It has been subject to 2 recalls recorded in EU Safety Gate and 16 recalls in the NHTSA database in the United States.
| Manufacturer | Hyundai |
|---|---|
| Production | From 2019 |
| Body type | SUV |
| Fuel | Electric |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive |
Engine variants
Different engine versions of the Hyundai KONA Electric (from registration data). 2 variants.
| Engine | Fuel | Transmission | Top speed | Economy | Model year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 l · 3-cyl | – | – | 181 km/h | – | – |
| 1.6 l · 4-cyl | – | – | 164 km/h | – | – |
Source: RDW (NL). European engine variants.
Other Hyundai models
Similar SUV models
Common problems & reliability
US owners have filed 274 complaints for the Hyundai KONA Electric, most often about engine, electrical system, power train, unknown or other. These are owner-reported issues, useful for spotting recurring weaknesses before you buy.
Based on real owner complaints and inspection data — not an editorial rating. Sources: NHTSA (US, public domain).
Recalls & safety
7 in the US-market NHTSA database, which may not apply to European versions for the Hyundai KONA Electric. Recalls can flag known weaknesses of the model.
- SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYUS · NHTSAModel year 2025
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Kona Electric and 2026 Kona vehicles. The seat belt buckle in the rear center seat may fail to properly restrain an occupant during a crash.
Remedy: Passengers are advised not to use the rear center seat until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 11, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 306. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 15, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V452000 · reported 14/07/2026
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWAREUS · NHTSAModel year 2020
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Nexo Fuel Cell and 2019-2021 Kona Electric vehicles. The Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) system may detect an abnormal sensor signal and as a result, may significantly reduce braking performance.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the IEB software, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 199.
NHTSA campaign 20V748000 · reported 01/12/2020
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM):SOFTWAREUS · NHTSAModel year 2020
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Kona Electric vehicles. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery may short-circuit.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the Battery Management System (BMS) software and inspect the Li-ion battery, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the repair is complete. The recall began November 13, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 196.
NHTSA campaign 20V630000 · reported 13/10/2020
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERYUS · NHTSAModel year 2020
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Kona Electric and 2020 Ioniq Electric vehicles. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery may short-circuit.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the interim action is complete. Hyundai will notify owners, and as an interim action, owners have the option to follow provided instructions to perform a battery update through the vehicle's infotainment system or request a Hyundai dealer to provide the update. Once parts are available, dealers will inspect the Battery System Assembly (BSA), and replace it if necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk, and the interim action, with a letter mailed April 9, 2021. Final owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 200.
NHTSA campaign 21V127000 · reported 01/03/2021
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERYUS · NHTSAModel year 2019
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Kona Electric and 2020 Ioniq Electric vehicles. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery may short-circuit.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the interim action is complete. Hyundai will notify owners, and as an interim action, owners have the option to follow provided instructions to perform a battery update through the vehicle's infotainment system or request a Hyundai dealer to provide the update. Once parts are available, dealers will inspect the Battery System Assembly (BSA), and replace it if necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk, and the interim action, with a letter mailed April 9, 2021. Final owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 200.
NHTSA campaign 21V127000 · reported 01/03/2021
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWAREUS · NHTSAModel year 2019
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Nexo Fuel Cell and 2019-2021 Kona Electric vehicles. The Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) system may detect an abnormal sensor signal and as a result, may significantly reduce braking performance.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the IEB software, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 199.
NHTSA campaign 20V748000 · reported 01/12/2020
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM):SOFTWAREUS · NHTSAModel year 2019
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Kona Electric vehicles. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery may short-circuit.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the Battery Management System (BMS) software and inspect the Li-ion battery, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the repair is complete. The recall began November 13, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 196.
NHTSA campaign 20V630000 · reported 13/10/2020
Sources: EU Safety Gate (European market) and NHTSA (US market). See all Hyundai recalls.