Most common 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric problems
Share of the 27 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 →
2021 Hyundai Kona Electric recalls (2)
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2021 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 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric owners say
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric. The contact stated that while his wife disconnected the charger, the vehicle caught fire without warning. There were no reported injuries. The installation plug was melted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed the connection wiring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. An inspector was able to inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified however no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric. The contact stated that the battery had discharged. The contact stated that the 12-volt battery and "Bring in for Service, and key not detected messages were displayed. The contact stated that while his mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled on two occasions. The vehicle flickered, and the vanity lights dimmed and flickered. The contact called the local dealer, where the vehicle was rebooted. The contact stated that five attempts were needed to unlock the parking brake. The tow truck mechanic informed the driver that the 12-volt battery was not registering. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric. The contact stated that since purchasing the vehicle, an abnormal rumble sound was heard that grew progressively louder. Additionally, while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle was significantly sluggish. The failure recurred while driving at 30 MPH, requiring the driver to pull over to the shoulder of the road. Upon shutting off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal operation. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure during a test drive. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, who confirmed the failure; however, the contact was informed that the failure was not associated with TSB Number: 22-EV-001H (KONA EV MOTOR RUMBLE NOISE) because the rumble sound was not sufficiently loud. The contact stated that the sound had grown significantly louder. …
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric. The contact stated that the battery had discharged. The contact stated that the 12-volt battery and "Bring in for Service, and key not detected messages were displayed. The contact stated that while his mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled on two occasions. The vehicle flickered, and the vanity lights dimmed and flickered. The contact called the local dealer, where the vehicle was rebooted. The contact stated that five attempts were needed to unlock the parking brake. The tow truck mechanic informed the driver that the 12-volt battery was not registering. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
2021 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 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric a good car?
Based on 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Kona Electric rates average: 30% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Kona Electric at the same age. It is one of the best Kona Electric years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric?
The electrical system — 10 complaints, 37% of all complaints for this model year, most often about propulsion system › charging › module › accessory. Next are the engine & cooling (5) and speed control & acceleration (2).
How many recalls does the 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric, the most recent from December 16, 2022 (fluid/coolant). 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 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 38,000 miles; 60% 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.