2020 Hyundai KONA ELECTRIC

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Hyundai KONA ELECTRIC has 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (46% of all complaints), specifically: there is a recall on possible battery explosion and there is no current replacement policy or replacement schedule..

3 crash reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

17 complaints

46%

• THERE IS A RECALL ON POSSIBLE BATTERY EXPLOSION AND THERE IS NO CURRENT REPLACEMENT POLICY OR REPLACEMENT SCHEDULE.
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI KONA. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED ONLINE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 20V630000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. TEAM HYUNDAI OF BEND (2250 NE HWY 20, BEND, OR 97701) AND TONKIN GLADSTONE HYUN
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI KONA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V630000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PALM SPRINGS HYUNDAI (3919 E PALM CANYON DR SUITE A, PALM SPRINGS, CA 92264; (760) 202-8888) WHERE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE CONTAC

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THERE IS A RECALL ON POSSIBLE BATTERY EXPLOSION AND THERE IS NO CURRENT REPLACEMENT POLICY OR REPLACEMENT SCHEDULE.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

6 complaints

16%

• MY VEHICLE UNNECESSARILY ACTIVATED AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, LOCKING THE WHEELS AND CAUSING THE TRUCK BEHIND ME TO SWERVE ONTO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID CRASHING INTO MY VEHICLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH THIS CAR. I WAS DRIVING IN THE SLOW LANE OF A LIMITED ACCESS FREEWAY. TH
• When starting the vehicle, the forward collision avoidance system is automatically on, this is the default. I must take the active step of turning it off every time I begin to drive, if I do not wish to use it. The issue is that the avoidance system has several times almost CAUSED me to have an ac
• When starting the vehicle, the forward collision avoidance system is automatically on, this is the default. I must take the active step of turning it off every time I begin to drive, if I do not wish to use it. The issue is that the avoidance system has several times almost CAUSED me to have an ac

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“MY VEHICLE UNNECESSARILY ACTIVATED AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, LOCKING THE WHEELS AND CAUSING THE TRUCK BEHIND ME TO SWERVE ONTO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID CRASHING INTO MY VEHICLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH THIS CAR. I WAS DRIVING IN THE SLOW LANE OF A LIMITED ACCESS FREEWAY. TH”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

5 complaints

14%

• DRIVING DURING RUSH HOUR ON INTERSTATE IN AN URBAN AREA. CARS IN FRONT SLOWED RAPIDLY, APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, DID SO SUCCESSFULLY. DYNAMIC BRAKE SUPPORT THEN APPARENTLY KICKED IN, AND FORCED THE CAR TO A STOP, DESPITE BRAKE BEING FULLY RELEASED. CAR FROM BEHIND BARELY ABLE TO AVOID CRASHING IN
• MY VEHICLE UNNECESSARILY ACTIVATED AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, LOCKING THE WHEELS AND CAUSING THE TRUCK BEHIND ME TO SWERVE ONTO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID CRASHING INTO MY VEHICLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH THIS CAR. I WAS DRIVING IN THE SLOW LANE OF A LIMITED ACCESS FREEWAY. TH
• Braking: When coming to a stop, the vehicle slows as expected. at about 10 MPH or less, while still continuing to apply braking pressure by foot, the vehicle stops braking and a sudden acceleration kick occurs, propelling the vehicle forward an additional 10 feet or so, then the brake kicks in agai

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“DRIVING DURING RUSH HOUR ON INTERSTATE IN AN URBAN AREA. CARS IN FRONT SLOWED RAPIDLY, APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, DID SO SUCCESSFULLY. DYNAMIC BRAKE SUPPORT THEN APPARENTLY KICKED IN, AND FORCED THE CAR TO A STOP, DESPITE BRAKE BEING FULLY RELEASED. CAR FROM BEHIND BARELY ABLE TO AVOID CRASHING IN”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

3 complaints

• The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that several unknown recalls related to the battery were performed on the vehicle. The contact stated that after the recall repairs were performed and while starting the vehicle, the battery warning light illuminated. Additionally, the transmi
• 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 vol
• 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 m

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that several unknown recalls related to the battery were performed on the vehicle. The contact stated that after the recall repairs were performed and while starting the vehicle, the battery warning light illuminated. Additionally, the transmi”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

2 complaints

• HYUNDAI IS FAILING TO PROVIDE THE INTERIM REMEDY PROMISED IN YOUR SAFETY RECALL REPORT 21V-127 (ATTACHED). THIS REMEDY CONSISTS OF SIMPLY DISCLOSING THE SAFE CHARGING LIMIT PERCENTAGE FOR THE PROPULSION BATTERY. THE RECALL REPORT STATES, UNDER REMEDY PROGRAM, "OWNERS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED WITH IN
• 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 m

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“HYUNDAI IS FAILING TO PROVIDE THE INTERIM REMEDY PROMISED IN YOUR SAFETY RECALL REPORT 21V-127 (ATTACHED). THIS REMEDY CONSISTS OF SIMPLY DISCLOSING THE SAFE CHARGING LIMIT PERCENTAGE FOR THE PROPULSION BATTERY. THE RECALL REPORT STATES, UNDER REMEDY PROGRAM, "OWNERS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED WITH IN”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 37 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: THERE IS A RECALL ON POSSIBLE BATTERY EXPLOSION AND THERE IS NO CURRENT REPLACEMENT POLICY OR REPLACEMENT SCHEDULE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: MY VEHICLE UNNECESSARILY ACTIVATED AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, LOCKING THE WHEELS AND CAUSING THE TRUCK BEHIND ME TO SWERVE ONTO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID CRASHING INTO MY VEHICLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH THIS CAR. I WAS DRIVING IN THE SLOW LANE OF A LIMITED ACCESS FREEWAY. TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: DRIVING DURING RUSH HOUR ON INTERSTATE IN AN URBAN AREA. CARS IN FRONT SLOWED RAPIDLY, APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, DID SO SUCCESSFULLY. DYNAMIC BRAKE SUPPORT THEN APPARENTLY KICKED IN, AND FORCED THE CAR TO A STOP, DESPITE BRAKE BEING FULLY RELEASED. CAR FROM BEHIND BARELY ABLE TO AVOID CRASHING IN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that several unknown recalls related to the battery were performed on the vehicle. The contact stated that after the recall repairs were performed and while starting the vehicle, the battery warning light illuminated. Additionally, the transmi
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)