2019 Hyundai KONA ELECTRIC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
54 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
17,733 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 40 of 54 complaints (74.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 43 | 79.6% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 9.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 40 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 10 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Electrical System:Propulsion System:Charging:Cable/Cord:Accessory | 1 |
Electrical System: 40; Fuel/Propulsion System: 10; Engine: 5; Power Train: 4; Service Brakes: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Electrical System:Propulsion System:Charging:Cable/Cord:Accessory: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 44 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 33 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2025 | 4 |
2020: 2; 2021: 33; 2022: 11; 2023: 4; 2025: 4
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 43 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11377540 · 2020-12-02 (December 2, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI KONA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V630000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). ROWE HYUNDAI WESTBROOK (91 MAIN ST SUITE #3, WESTBROOK, ME 04092) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BATTERY SOFTWARE WOULD BE UPDATED, WHICH WOULD LIMIT THE BATTERY POWER. DESPITE THE UPDATE, THE CONTACT WAS NOT ENSURED THAT THE SYSTEM UPDATE WOULD PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM RECURRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11377540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11385986 · 2021-01-01 (January 1, 2021)
THERE IS A RECALL ON THE EV BATTERY SYSTEM BOTH ON THE HYUNDAI SITE AND THE NTSB SITE FOR THIS. HYUNDAI CLAIMS THERE IS NO SUCH RECALL. MY BATTERY SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS. HYUNDAI SAYS NOT TO PARK THE VEHICLE INSIDE DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF CATASTROPHIC FIRE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WILL REMEDY THE SITUATION. THEY BOTH DENY THERE IS ANY PROBLEM. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALER DECEMBER 2020.
Owner-reported narrative. 17,286 miles reported. Look up ODI 11385986 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11300587 · 2020-01-20 (January 20, 2020)
AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING ACTIVATED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING IN A HIGHWAY. VEHICLES AHEAD WERE STOPPED OR SLOWING DOWN AND I WAS STARTING TO BRAKE AND THE CAR ACTIVATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKING BRINGING THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NOT IMMEDIATE DANGER OF COLLISION, THERE WAS MORE THAN A CAR SPACE BETWEEN MY CAR AND THE STOPPED CAR. THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD TO VEER OFF THE ROAD NOT TO HIT ME. A SIMILAR SITUATION HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11300587 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11460131 · 2022-04-08 (April 8, 2022)
At time of purchase (new) this car did not come with a spare or jack but included a can of fix a flat and a cheep compressor. While traveling I became stranded with an un repairable flat tire and had to have someone come get me with a jack and abandon the car on the side of the road. I then purchased a spare tire kit directly from the purchase point dealer. On a second incident I discovered that the spare tire (donut) does not fit the rear wheels. It does not clear the brake calipers. Come to find out there is no other rim or tire that will fit…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11460131 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11680934 · 2025-08-15 (August 15, 2025)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11680934 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11520279 · 2023-05-03 (May 3, 2023)
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while driving at 10 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff without any warning, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle drove into a parking lot. The contact desperately pressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle would not stop. The contact jumped out of the vehicle and the vehicle struck a pole, causing minor damages to the bumper of the vehicle. The contact had minor injuries but did not seek medical attention. The contact mentioned being shocked after the events. A …
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11520279 at NHTSA ↗