2020 Hyundai Kona Electric problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric, most often about electrical system. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
27
Recalls
3
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
4,250 mi
at time of problem

Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners to park outside until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Key facts

  • Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 17 of 27 complaints (63%).
  • Brakes (5) and driver assistance & safety tech (5) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 4,250 mi.
  • Owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries.
  • The 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric has 3 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 3rd of 7 Hyundai Kona Electric model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 50% fewer complaints than the 2019 model year (54).

2020 Hyundai Kona Electric problems by category

  • Electrical System
    17 complaints
  • Brakes
    5 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 1 crash
    5 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    3 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    2 complaints
  • Other / Unknown · 1 crash
    2 complaints
  • Engine · 1 crash
    1 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Electrical system16
Service brakes5
Power train3
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking3
Forward collision avoidance: warnings3
Unknown or other2
Fuel/propulsion system2
Engine1

When problems happen (mileage)

5Under 10k110k–30k30k–60k60k–100k100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric complaints that list mileage.

2020 Hyundai Kona Electric recalls (3)

  • Recall 21V127000Mar 1, 20214,696 vehiclesPark outside
    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.

    Risk: An electrical short in the Li-ion battery increases the risk of a fire.

    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.

  • Recall 20V748000Dec 1, 20208,176 vehicles
    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.

    Risk: Reduced braking power could lengthen the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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.

  • Recall 20V630000Oct 13, 20206,707 vehiclesPark outside
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY · 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.

    Risk: An electrical short in the Li-ion battery increases the risk of a fire.

    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 defect investigations

  • DP22005Opened Jan 27, 2023Closed Aug 7, 2023led to recall 22V063000

    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. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc…

Recent 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Mar 4, 2026TXElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    While driving approximately 70 mph on I-10 in Louisiana late at night, my 2020 Hyundai Kona EV displayed a “Check EV System” warning while I was on the highway. There were no safe areas or emergency shoulders available to pull over, so I continued driving toward the nearest exit. Approximately 15 minutes after the warning appeared, as I attempted to exit the highway, the vehicle suddenly lost power and rapidly slowed. The vehicle came to a complete stop and could not…
    NHTSA complaint #11722050 · source
  2. Filed Jun 17, 2025ORCrashDriver Assistance & Safety TechEngineOther / Unknown
    My wife was pulling into a parking place at Home Depot when the car suddenly accelerated, jumped the curb & hit a tree on the sidewalk. It did significant damage to the front bumper of the car but the airbags did not deploy & my wife was not hurt. I am guessing that it will be several thousand dollars to repair.
    NHTSA complaint #11667507 · source
  3. Filed Apr 14, 2025COOther / Unknown
    On 3.22.2025 the rear view camera did not display; either a black screen with text "Check surroundings for your safety," a green screen reading "No camera signa received. Please try again later," or distorted images appeared. Camera was replaced under warranty on 4.14.2025; I learned from Crossroads Hyundai that other vehicles had a recall in effect. Images and work order are included.
    NHTSA complaint #11654523 · source
  4. Filed Feb 10, 2025COElectrical System
    6/17/2024 12 volt battery was dead; EV was fully charged 6/16/2024 using Level 2 charger in my home garage. AAA charged the battery; I drove to Crossroads Hyundai Loveland, CO and asked to have the converter to the main battery checked; this was not done. Crossroads checked the battery via CADEX with "good battery charge" as result. No other diagnostic work was performed. 8/26/2024 12 volt battery again depleted; AAA charged twice 11:06 am (recharge and retest ) and 3:51pm…
    NHTSA complaint #11641724 · source
  5. Filed Apr 29, 2024RIDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    I am concerned about the safety of my car and have little faith that there are qualified mechanics who understand EVs and can properly service an EV car. Two times on April 9, 2024 (and on at least 4 other occasions in 2023) while drive at approximately 45 miles an hour on a RI State highway at a safe distance from any care in front of me, my vehicle went into the fail-safe mode while I was driving causing a sudden significant loss of power to the car and it appeared to be…
    NHTSA complaint #11585896 · source
  6. Filed Apr 2, 2024RIElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain
    We just had our 2020 Kona updated from the dealer with major software and recall updates. Since that point the car has been draining from the 12volt battery on it's own and killing the charging circuit for the battery. It has caused us to have to jump start the car and not be able to keep the 12 volt charged which runs all of the environmentals and car systems. Unless you have a jump pack with you, you have to jump it after every stop. I have tested the battery and it is…
    NHTSA complaint #11580665 · source
  7. Filed Feb 29, 2024CABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    This has happened about 15 times since I bought my Hyundai Kona EV Ultimate new in February 2021: When a car in front of me slows very quickly, occasionally my car tries to help me too much. I have been in complete control of the situations, but my car beeps it's warning, adds it's efforts and the brakes lock up with tires squealing, and we stop with plenty of space in between myself and the car in front of me. This usually happens in freeway traffic. It is terrifying and I…
    NHTSA complaint #11574761 · source
  8. Filed Sep 9, 2023CABrakes
    I was driving at about 45mph and my vehicle brakes suddenly stopped responding. The car alarms went crazy and said "regenerative brake failure" which is fine and all, but why the hell would the regent failing impact my ability to stop entirely? I could not get the vehicle to respond by pumping the brakes, so I put my flashers on and rolled into a lot and thankfully didn't kill anyone. Rolled into an uphill spot, thanked the curb, and engaged the ebrake which I'm not sure…
    NHTSA complaint #11543580 · source

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Other 2020 Hyundai models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology