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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2019–2025

Hyundai Kona Electric recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 149 owner complaints for the Hyundai Kona Electric, covering model years 2019 to 2025. The 2019 model year drew the most complaints (54), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Hyundai Kona Electric VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 5 recall campaigns on file
  • 149 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 7 model years with data (2019–2025)
  • most complaints: 2019 (54 for that model year)
  • top component: Electrical System (98 complaints)
  • latest recall 26V452000 (reported Jul 14, 2026)
  • 6 complaints reporting a crash (4.0%)
  • 3 complaints reporting a fire (2.0%)
  • 1 complaint reporting an injury (0.7%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Hyundai Kona Electric complaints by model year

7 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2019 model year has the most complaints: 54 of 149, or 36.2%. Next come 2020 (27) and 2021 (26). The fewest are for 2025, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Hyundai Kona Electric owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2019–2025Column chart of 149 complaints across 7 model years. The highest is 2019 with 54. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2019: 54 complaints5420192020: 27 complaints2720202021: 26 complaints2620212022: 21 complaints2120222023: 5 complaints520232024: 15 complaints1520242025: 1 complaint12025
Hyundai Kona Electric complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Hyundai Kona Electric complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2019542210
2020271000
2021261100
2022212000
202350000
2024150000
202510000
All model years1496310

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Hyundai Kona Electric components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 98 complaints (65.8% of all 149), followed by Service Brakes (15) and Fuel/Propulsion System (14).

Components named most often in Hyundai Kona Electric complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Hyundai Kona Electric complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Electrical System9865.8%
Unknown or Other1912.8%
Service Brakes1510.1%
Fuel/Propulsion System149.4%
Engine138.7%
Power Train128.1%
Forward Collision Avoidance117.4%
Vehicle Speed Control53.4%
Exterior Lighting42.7%
Lane Departure21.3%
Steering21.3%
Visibility21.3%
Air Bags10.7%
Back Over Prevention10.7%
Communication10.7%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Hyundai Kona Electric recalls

5 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Kona Electric, newest first. The 5 campaigns cover model years 2019 to 2025. The 2019 and 2020 model years appear in the most campaigns (3 each).

  • 5 recall campaigns
  • 2 “Park Outside” advisories
Hyundai Kona Electric recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2019: 3 campaigns
2020: 3 campaigns2021: 2 campaigns2022: no campaigns2023: no campaigns2024: 1 campaign2025: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 26V452000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Buckle Assembly

    Model years 2024–2025

    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.

    Consequence:
    A seat belt buckle that fails to properly restrain an occupant in a crash increases the risk of injury.
    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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 306. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 15, 2026.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

  2. NHTSA campaign 22V941000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery › Thermal Management › Fluid/Coolant

    Model year 2021

    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.

    Consequence:
    Coolant contacting the EPCU circuit board may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
    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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 239.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

  3. NHTSA campaign 21V127000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery

    Model years 2019–2020

    NHTSA “Park Outside” advisory: because of the fire risk, park affected vehicles outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

  4. NHTSA campaign 20V748000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Electric › Control Module › Software

    Model years 2019–2021

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

  5. NHTSA campaign 20V630000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery › Management System/Energy Control Module (BMS/BECM) › Software; Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery

    Model years 2019–2020

    NHTSA “Park Outside” advisory: because of the fire risk, park affected vehicles outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Kona Electric vehicles. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery may short-circuit.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Hyundai Kona Electric questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Hyundai Kona Electric have?

NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recall campaigns for the Hyundai Kona Electric, covering model years 2019 to 2025. The most recent, 26V452000, was reported on July 14, 2026 and is filed under “Seat belts”. The 2019 and 2020 model years are covered by the most campaigns (3 each).

Which Hyundai Kona Electric model year has the most complaints?

The 2019 model year, with 54 of the 149 complaints in NHTSA’s file (36.2%). The next are 2020 (27) and 2021 (26). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Hyundai Kona Electric complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 98 complaints, or 65.8% of all 149. Service Brakes (15) and Fuel/Propulsion System (14) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Hyundai Kona Electric?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Hyundai dealer.

How many Hyundai Kona Electric complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 149 complaints, 6 report a crash, 3 a fire, 1 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Hyundai models

8 models · most complaints first

The Hyundai models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Hyundai VIN decoder with every Hyundai model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Hyundai models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.