2021 Hyundai KONA ELECTRIC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
26 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
23,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 26 complaints (30.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 38.5% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 23.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.8% |
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 | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
Electrical System: 8; Unknown Or Other: 7; Engine: 4; Service Brakes: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags: 1; Back Over Prevention: 1; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 22 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2021: 4; 2022: 6; 2023: 5; 2024: 2; 2025: 8; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 11430674 · 2021-08-26 (August 26, 2021)
On 8/11/21, I tried to start my Hyundai Kona EV, and it displayed the high voltage warning . The car would not start or go into gear and had to be towed to the dealership. We purchased the car in May 2021, and it had about 3000 miles on it at the time. At the dealership, the mechanic diagnosed it as a faulty battery and indicated that the whole LG battery underneath for the electric car would need to be replaced. After doing further research, there is already a recall on the 2018 to 2020 models for the same issue, with the battery catching …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11430674 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11431228 · 2021-08-31 (August 31, 2021)
After charging the vehicle at home with level 2 charger to 100% it would not go into drive or reverse. It can go to neutral or Park only. The car is at the dealership and they told the battery must be replaced when one is available. It is a safety concern because one can get stranded on the road with vehicle that does not move although is fully charged.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11431228 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11408597 · 2021-04-18 (April 18, 2021)
I WAS ENTERING MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND SLOWED DOWN AS WE NEARED OUR HOUSE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES SO THAT I CAN OPEN MY GARAGE DOOR, AS I RELEASED THE BRAKES, THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING BY ITSELF REALLY FAST AND I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR FROM SPEEDING UP ON ITS OWN.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11408597 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11468863 · 2022-06-12 (June 12, 2022)
Check regenerative brake warning comes on and the emergency brake applies while driving also when I come to a stop. When I started my car the immediately the light came on. When I cut my car off the light clears. It happens when I’m braking. The regenerative brake light warning is becoming more frequent. I took my car back to the Hyundai dealership and they “checked” it out and found no problem with my vehicle. They ran a diagnostics and a update for my car, but 4 days later the warning can on again, after the repair.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11468863 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11541418 · 2023-08-29 (August 29, 2023)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11541418 at NHTSA ↗