HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC · model year

2020 HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC

34 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2020HYUNDAIKONA ELECTRIC carries 34 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2020 KONA ELECTRIC is electrical system with 15 filings, followed by service brakes (5) and forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 37 investigation files overlapping the 2020 KONA ELECTRIC, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

34
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

34 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15
SERVICE BRAKES5
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING3
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS3
POWER TRAIN2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY1
TIRES:TREAD/BELT1
ENGINE1

Recalls (3)

20V63000013/10/2020

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM):SOFTWARE

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

20V74800001/12/2020

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

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.

21V12700001/03/2021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

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.

Recent Complaints

20250617CrashENGINE

My wife was pulling into a parking place at Home Depot when the car suddenly accelerated, jumped the curb & hit a tree on the sidewalk. It did significant damage to the front bumper of the car but the airbags did not deploy & my wife was not hurt. I am guessing that it will be several thousand dollars to repair.

20250617CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

My wife was pulling into a parking place at Home Depot when the car suddenly accelerated, jumped the curb & hit a tree on the sidewalk. It did significant damage to the front bumper of the car but the airbags did not deploy & my wife was not hurt. I am guessing that it will be several thousand dollars to repair.

20250617CrashFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

My wife was pulling into a parking place at Home Depot when the car suddenly accelerated, jumped the curb & hit a tree on the sidewalk. It did significant damage to the front bumper of the car but the airbags did not deploy & my wife was not hurt. I am guessing that it will be several thousand dollars to repair.

20250414UNKNOWN OR OTHER

On 3.22.2025 the rear view camera did not display; either a black screen with text "Check surroundings for your safety," a green screen reading "No camera signa received. Please try again later," or distorted images appeared. Camera was replaced under warranty on 4.14.2025; I learned from Crossroads Hyundai that other vehicles had a recall in effect. Images and work order are included.

20250210ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

6/17/2024 12 volt battery was dead; EV was fully charged 6/16/2024 using Level 2 charger in my home garage. AAA charged the battery; I drove to Crossroads Hyundai Loveland, CO and asked to have the converter to the main battery checked; this was not done. Crossroads checked the battery via CADEX with "good battery charge" as result. No other diagnostic work was performed. 8/26/2024 12 volt battery again depleted; AAA charged twice 11:06 am (recharge and retest ) and 3:51pm (Bad & replace). I drove again to Crossroads Hyundai which claimed battery test showed good battery. Technician found a draw dropped after pulling fuses F6 multi media and F16 memory. Techline at Hyundai was contacted and tech was instructed to install junction box for fuses (91950-K4061 Junction Box assembly I/PNL 91). The car was undriveable on the Crossroads lot until part received and replaced 9/20/2024. 9/24/2024 when I arrived to pick up the car, the service advisor told me the door was left ajar after car w

20240429FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

I am concerned about the safety of my car and have little faith that there are qualified mechanics who understand EVs and can properly service an EV car. Two times on April 9, 2024 (and on at least 4 other occasions in 2023) while drive at approximately 45 miles an hour on a RI State highway at a safe distance from any care in front of me, my vehicle went into the fail-safe mode while I was driving causing a sudden significant loss of power to the car and it appeared to be that it was going to stall. There was no warning sound indicating that I was going to crash into the forward vehicle (again, I was at a safe distance). In order to continue driving, I had to pull onto the road shoulder, shut off the car, which seemed to reset it. On this particular day/occasion, this situation occurred twice in the span of about 10 minutes. Had there been anyone driving right behind me, they would have hit my car. In addition, I brought my car to the dealer to address but the dealership d

20240402POWER TRAIN

We just had our 2020 Kona updated from the dealer with major software and recall updates. Since that point the car has been draining from the 12volt battery on it's own and killing the charging circuit for the battery. It has caused us to have to jump start the car and not be able to keep the 12 volt charged which runs all of the environmentals and car systems. Unless you have a jump pack with you, you have to jump it after every stop. I have tested the battery and it is fine but the system needs a high end initial draw and is not getting it. I have contacted the dealer but they are saying it is not their problem. This needs government address, as it is the same issue in the NHTSA recalls or Hybrid and EV Sonata and Ioniq 5 models.

20240402ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

We just had our 2020 Kona updated from the dealer with major software and recall updates. Since that point the car has been draining from the 12volt battery on it's own and killing the charging circuit for the battery. It has caused us to have to jump start the car and not be able to keep the 12 volt charged which runs all of the environmentals and car systems. Unless you have a jump pack with you, you have to jump it after every stop. I have tested the battery and it is fine but the system needs a high end initial draw and is not getting it. I have contacted the dealer but they are saying it is not their problem. This needs government address, as it is the same issue in the NHTSA recalls or Hybrid and EV Sonata and Ioniq 5 models.

20240229SERVICE BRAKES

This has happened about 15 times since I bought my Hyundai Kona EV Ultimate new in February 2021: When a car in front of me slows very quickly, occasionally my car tries to help me too much. I have been in complete control of the situations, but my car beeps it's warning, adds it's efforts and the brakes lock up with tires squealing, and we stop with plenty of space in between myself and the car in front of me. This usually happens in freeway traffic. It is terrifying and I always immediately look in my rearview mirror to see if I'm going to get rear-ended. I haven't been hit yet, though I have been flipped off a few times. One of these days, people will be hurt, along with the damages to the cars. The first time it happened was only about 2 weeks after the purchase. I had my 5-year old twin granddaughters in their car seats. Just as described above, the brakes locked up and it really scared them (me too!). I took it back to the salesman I bought it from at Stevens Creek Hyund

20240229FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

This has happened about 15 times since I bought my Hyundai Kona EV Ultimate new in February 2021: When a car in front of me slows very quickly, occasionally my car tries to help me too much. I have been in complete control of the situations, but my car beeps it's warning, adds it's efforts and the brakes lock up with tires squealing, and we stop with plenty of space in between myself and the car in front of me. This usually happens in freeway traffic. It is terrifying and I always immediately look in my rearview mirror to see if I'm going to get rear-ended. I haven't been hit yet, though I have been flipped off a few times. One of these days, people will be hurt, along with the damages to the cars. The first time it happened was only about 2 weeks after the purchase. I had my 5-year old twin granddaughters in their car seats. Just as described above, the brakes locked up and it really scared them (me too!). I took it back to the salesman I bought it from at Stevens Creek Hyund

20230909SERVICE BRAKES

I was driving at about 45mph and my vehicle brakes suddenly stopped responding. The car alarms went crazy and said "regenerative brake failure" which is fine and all, but why the hell would the regent failing impact my ability to stop entirely? I could not get the vehicle to respond by pumping the brakes, so I put my flashers on and rolled into a lot and thankfully didn't kill anyone. Rolled into an uphill spot, thanked the curb, and engaged the ebrake which I'm not sure actually worked. The brake was both firm and soft when pressed. That was terrifying and I was literally just on the freeway.

20220327SERVICE BRAKES

Braking: When coming to a stop, the vehicle slows as expected. at about 10 MPH or less, while still continuing to apply braking pressure by foot, the vehicle stops braking and a sudden acceleration kick occurs, propelling the vehicle forward an additional 10 feet or so, then the brake kicks in again. Was able to duplicate this issue with a Tech from Hyundai of Moreno Valley riding as a passenger. This is hazardous, because it could result in striking a vehicle or pedestrian in a crosswalk for example.

20220107ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V127000, however, the dealer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the dealer advised her the vehicle can not be fixed due to no parts. The contact was concerned that her vehicle would have a failure while driving. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.

20211228TIRES:TREAD/BELT

215/55/R17 The N Priz AH8 tires are extremely slippery on wet pavement. Unless I drive exceptionally slow and cautiously, I could lose control of my Hyundai Kona Ev

20211101FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

When starting the vehicle, the forward collision avoidance system is automatically on, this is the default. I must take the active step of turning it off every time I begin to drive, if I do not wish to use it. The issue is that the avoidance system has several times almost CAUSED me to have an accident and thrown me forward, through sudden and hard breaking if the car thinks I am too close to the vehicle in front of me. This is why I continually turn it off. I would like to point out that I have NEVER rear ended anyone in over 40 years of driving, so rather than truly avoiding any collision, the car causes me to come very close to having an accident, as the sudden and hard braking has caused me to swerve while preparing to pass another vehicle.

20211101FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

When starting the vehicle, the forward collision avoidance system is automatically on, this is the default. I must take the active step of turning it off every time I begin to drive, if I do not wish to use it. The issue is that the avoidance system has several times almost CAUSED me to have an accident and thrown me forward, through sudden and hard breaking if the car thinks I am too close to the vehicle in front of me. This is why I continually turn it off. I would like to point out that I have NEVER rear ended anyone in over 40 years of driving, so rather than truly avoiding any collision, the car causes me to come very close to having an accident, as the sudden and hard braking has caused me to swerve while preparing to pass another vehicle.

20210922ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Car battery not longer allows for the car to drive The electric system stop working due to failure of the battery A new battery needs to be order Car not longer works

20210921ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that several unknown recalls related to the battery were performed on the vehicle. The contact stated that after the recall repairs were performed and while starting the vehicle, the battery warning light illuminated. Additionally, the transmission failed to shift into gear as needed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the battery failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

Mileage: 10,000

20210921POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that several unknown recalls related to the battery were performed on the vehicle. The contact stated that after the recall repairs were performed and while starting the vehicle, the battery warning light illuminated. Additionally, the transmission failed to shift into gear as needed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the battery failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

Mileage: 10,000

20210826ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V127000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The contact was concerned that the manufacturer had not yet determined what the remedy would be for his vehicle. Parts distribution disconnect.

Compare 2020HYUNDAIKONA ELECTRIC to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2020 HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC have?
The 2020 HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC has 34 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC?
The 2020 HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC?
Yes, the 2020 HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM):SOFTWARE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC?
The most-complained component for the 2020 HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 15 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING.
Is the 2020 HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2020 HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.