Most common 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric problems
Share of the 54 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Hyundai Kona Electric complaints by model year
Best Kona Electric years: 2023, 2021. Compare all years →
2019 Hyundai Kona Electric recalls (3)
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric:
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
What 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric owners say
Electrical system all 42 →
The contact's wife owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that upon warming the vehicle in cold weather, an abnormal, wire-burning smell would emit from the vehicle without warning. The manufacturer was initially notified about the failure and was informed that he would receive a callback; the contact had yet to receive a callback. The contact then took the vehicle to the dealer where they found no failure with the vehicle. The contact stated that he had a young child and that the odor could be toxic to his child's breathing. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that she initially received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V127000 (Electrical System). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the battery was reduced to 80%. The contact was instructed to park the vehicle away from structures until a final remedy was available. The contact never received information about the final remedy from the dealer. Months later, the contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer for a maintenance repair and the battery was reset to 100%. After a few weeks of driving the vehicle, the EV warning light appeared on the instrument panel and the dealer was notified of the issue. The contact was then instructed to bring the vehicle back to the dealer where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and provided the contact a case manager. …
Fuel & propulsion system
There has been a battery recall on our Kona EV since March 2021. We were asked to keep the battery charged only to 80% to prevent problems. Hyundai is aware that we need a battery and we were contacted in late summer to set up an appointment to replace it. Every time we try to set something up they tell us that they don't have the battery or the proper parts. This is unacceptable. We have spoken with the service writer several times without resolution. At this point we do not trust Hyundai and are extremely unhappy with our vehicle purchase given the ongoing safety concern of continuing to drive a car with a batter that has been recalled.
The vehicle began making a clicking/ticking sound under acceleration and deceleration. The noise progressively worsened until The dealer diagnosed the motor as failing internally and replaced it under warranty. Several people online in forums have experienced the same issue, some cases resulted in the reduction gear catastrophically failing causing the vehicle to suddenly stop accelerating. I worry that this issue may result in more sudden drivetrain failures because of how widespread the problem is. Hyundai does not seem to have a definite solution as the noise comes back for many owners.
Engine & cooling
Component Failed: Electric transmission/drive unit failed twice before 150,000 miles. Still in vehicle, available for inspection. Safety Risk: Loss of propulsion while driving creates risk of being rear-ended or stranded in dangerous traffic conditions. Right now the car is not drivable Confirmed By: Problem confirmed by Hyundai dealership/service center on both failures. Inspection: Inspected by authorized Hyundai service center; manufacturer was notified. Warning Symptoms: Before the failure there was a screeching sound coming from the hood. In both failures, these warnings appeared shortly before or during the loss of propulsion.
This complaint is regarding our 2019 Electric Hyundai Kona. Hyundai had a Recall #200 that started last year 2020 if I'm not mistaken. They have sent us a lot of letters in the mail that they are still trying to find a solution to the battery issue of the electric car and will let us know once they come up with a solution. Last month, we went to Eckert Hyundai in Denton, TX and we tried to get the recall fixed but the tech said they can't fix it since they do not have that much experience dealing with electric cars especially with batteries (which is the main issue due to risk of fire, explosion). I tried contacting McKinney and Plano Hyundai dealerships too but they tell me the same thing. As of the moment, the car does not fully charge, I don't charge at home and there's always a risk of fire whenever in use and while charging.
2019 Hyundai Kona Electric engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | Single-speed | FWD | 132 / 108 / 120 MPGe | 258 mi |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric a good car?
There isn't enough complaint history for the Kona Electric to compare model years reliably. So far owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA.
What is the most common problem with the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric?
The electrical system — 42 complaints, 78% of all complaints for this model year, most often about 12v/24v/48v battery. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (10) and engine & cooling (5).
How many recalls does the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric, the most recent from March 1, 2021 (traction battery). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Hyundai Kona Electric?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2023 and 2021. See the full Hyundai Kona Electric years comparison.
At what mileage do 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 18,000 miles; 80% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.