2020 Hyundai KONA ELECTRIC: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
27 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
4,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 27 complaints (59.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 15 | 55.6% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 25.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.7% |
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 | 16 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 3 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
Electrical System: 16; Service Brakes: 5; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 3; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 3; Power Train: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; 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 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 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 (6). 21 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 | 4 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2020: 4; 2021: 13; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 3; 2025: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 15 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 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 11309058 · 2020-02-13 (February 13, 2020)
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 INTO ME, THE DRIVER HAD TO SWERVE ONTO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID ME AND ENDED UP STOPPING BESIDE MY CAR. ONCE CAR CAME TO A STOP, WAS ABLE TO GET GOING AGAIN. ISSUE HAS NOT REPRODUCED SINCE.
Owner-reported narrative. 530 miles reported. Look up ODI 11309058 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11365383 · 2020-10-20 (October 20, 2020)
THERE IS A RECALL ON POSSIBLE BATTERY EXPLOSION AND THERE IS NO CURRENT REPLACEMENT POLICY OR REPLACEMENT SCHEDULE.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11365383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11365831 · 2020-10-22 (October 22, 2020)
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 HYUNDAI (19300 SE MCLOUGHLIN BLVD, GLADSTONE, OR 97027) WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND BOTH CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED AT TEAM HYUNDAI OF BEND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE O…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11365831 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11383561 · 2020-12-15 (December 15, 2020)
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; [phone removed]) WHERE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO DAYS AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE S…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11383561 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11404447 · 2021-03-23 (March 23, 2021)
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 INSTRUCTIONS TO MANUALLY LOWER THE BATTERY'S STATE OF CHARGE LIMIT VIA THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM." I REQUESTED THAT INFORMATION FROM HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CARE. HOWEVER THEY REPLIED "CURRENTLY THERE IS NO REMEDY AVAILABLE." (SEE ATTACHED) PLEASE DIRECT HYU…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11404447 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11415035 · 2021-05-03 (May 3, 2021)
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. THE LANE WAS CONGESTED AND I ESTIMATE THE SPEED AT ABOUT 40 MPH. THE CARS AHEAD SLOWED AND BEGAN TO STOP. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND MOVED TO THE BRAKE. AT THIS TIME I WAS THREE OR FOUR CAR LENGTHS BEHIND THE CAR AHEAD, AND COULD HAVE ST…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11415035 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11418460 · 2021-05-25 (May 25, 2021)
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V127000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418460 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11418951 · 2021-05-29 (May 29, 2021)
Smell like electrical overheating. Not driving due to fire risk.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418951 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 ↗