2019 Hyundai KONA ELECTRIC: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 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 11398037 · 2021-02-26 (February 26, 2021)
MANUFACTURER RECALLS THIS VEHICLE TO REPLACE BATTERY PACK DUE TO CATASTROPHIC FIRE RISK.
Owner-reported narrative. 18,180 miles reported. Look up ODI 11398037 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11408391 · 2021-04-16 (April 16, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI KONA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V127000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT CENTEREACH HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 1815 MIDDLE COUNTRY RD, CENTEREACH, NY 11720, [phone removed]) HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11408391 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11414925 · 2021-05-03 (May 3, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI KONA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V127000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT THEN RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM HYUNDAI THAT STATED THAT A SOFTWARE UPDATE WOULD BE SENT TO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOW ONLY CHARGE UP TO 80%. THE CONTACT WAS INSTRUCTED THROUGH THE EMAIL TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER TO VERIFY THE UPDATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11414925 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11415523 · 2021-05-07 (May 7, 2021)
HYUNDAI HAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE DUE TO BATTERY SAFETY ISSUES. THEY HAVE REDUCED MY BATTERY STORAGE TO 80% CAPACITY AND THIS LIMITS MY ABILITY TO TRAVEL UNLESS I STOP FOR EXTENDED PERIODS TO RECHARGE MY BATTERY. THE ONLY COMPENSATION THEY HAVE PROVIDED WAS A $200 VISA CARD, WHICH IS INCREDIBLY INADEQUATE, FOR THE TIME AND MONEY THIS IS COSTING ME. I'VE BEEN WITHOUT FULL BATTERY CAPACITY FOR OVER A MONTH NOW.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11415523 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11417745 · 2021-05-19 (May 19, 2021)
The March 1, 2021 recall has not been resolved. The vehicle was purchased for its mile capacity however, due to this recall, I'm unable to use the vehicle for my travel/work as intended when I purchased the vehicle. As a result of the reduced miles, I must charge my vehicle between trips to ensure I have sufficient miles to make it home. This takes time out of my schedule and I must pay for the charging (I charge my car at my residence and have solar panels - thus no charging expense). This does Not take into consideration that at times, I …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11417745 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
20V630000 · Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery:Management System/Energy Control Module (Bms/Becm):Software | Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery
Reported: 2020-10-13 (October 13, 2020)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V748000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Electric:Control Module:Software
Reported: 2020-12-01 (December 1, 2020)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V127000 · Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery
Reported: 2021-03-01 (March 1, 2021)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗