Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15 | typical | 1 | Electrical | Average |
| 2023 | 5 | −67% | — | Electrical | Good |
| 2022 | 22 | typical | — | Electrical | Average |
| 2021 | 27 | −30% | 2 | Electrical | Average |
| 2020 | 27 | — | 3 | Electrical | Limited data |
| 2019 | 54 | — | 3 | Electrical | Limited data |
* Complaints compared with the median Kona Electric year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Hyundai Kona Electric problems
Latest Hyundai Kona Electric recalls
Seat belts › Rear/other › Buckle assembly
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Kona Electric and 2024-2026 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 were mailed September 2, 2026.
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Traction battery › Thermal management › Fluid/coolant
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Kona EV vehicles. The Electric Power Control Unit (EPCU) may have been improperly sealed and may leak coolant internally.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the EPCU, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 22, 2023. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available.
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Traction battery
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…
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Electric › Control module › Software
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.
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Traction battery › Management system/energy control module (BMS/becm) › Software
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.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Hyundai Kona Electric should you avoid?
None of the Hyundai Kona Electric years has an unusually high number of complaints compared with the others at the same age.
What is the best year for the Hyundai Kona Electric?
2023 has the fewest complaints compared with other Kona Electric years at the same age, followed by 2021. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Hyundai Kona Electric problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the electrical system (97), brakes (15) and fuel & propulsion system (14). Electrical complaints peak in the 2019 model year.
How many recalls has the Hyundai Kona Electric had?
5 recalls across 2019–2024. The model year with the most is 2019. See all Hyundai Kona Electric recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.