RoadVitals

2023 Hyundai Kona Electric

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
5
Latest Feb 10, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Nov 2, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric, most frequently naming the electrical, brakes and driver assistance categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 33 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical342.9%
  • Brakes114.3%
  • Driver assistance114.3%
  • Fuel system114.3%
  • Steering114.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
26V728000

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

Nov 2, 2026
37,901 units potentially affected
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Veloster N, 2019-2023 Kona Electric vehicles. A software error in the air bag control unit (ACU) may improperly deactivate the air bag system and seat belt pretensioners.
The risk: Air bags and seat belt pretensioners that do not activate in a crash increases the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will update the ACU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 1, 2027. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 311. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 6, 2026.
Hyundai Motor AmericaManufacturer number 311View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Feb 10, 2025

The horn has been replaced multiple times for failing without ANY warning. The service department at the Hyundai dealer said that this is a known problem for the horns. The horns short out because moisture builds up and damages the wiring, causing them to fail without warning. At this time, Hyundai does not have a "fix" nor does it have any horns available to replace my failed horn. Hyundai has not offered a loaner vehicle. This vehicle is currently leased from Hyundai and I am current on my lease payments. This vehicle is due for inspection in May 2025 and it will not pass without a horn. I have had several near-miss situations in which I had to brake hard to avoid pedestrians - a horn would have alerted the pedestrians to my presence. Because this is an electric vehicle it runs very quietly and pedestrians need to be alerted with a horn.

NHTSA ID
11641784
Incident
Sep 20, 2024
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Oct 6, 2023

While driving at 60 miles per hour on an interstate, the car's steering system took control of the car and made a quick "S" maneuver. It took all of my strength to maintain control of my car. This incident lasted for just a second or two but it was potentially very dangerous to me (the driver of the car) and to nearby cars (and their drivers). The vehicle is available for inspection. I just reported the incident to to Hyundai and haven't heard back from them. There seemed to be some kind of red warning message on the computer screen, but I couldn't read it because I was so busy fighting the steering wheel for control of the car.

NHTSA ID
11548719
Incident
Oct 1, 2023
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jul 27, 2023

Car has only 3000 miles and already has a bad battery. Code DTC P1AA600

NHTSA ID
11534905
Incident
Jul 14, 2023
Electrical
Filed Jun 22, 2023

The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Check Electric Vehicle System" message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the heater sensor was replaced; however, the failure recurred a third time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175.

NHTSA ID
11528315
Incident
May 11, 2023
Mileage
175 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 16, 2023

In damp weather the brake rotors corrode overnight. This causes the brakes to lock up when the brake pedal is touched gently. The car then stops quickly and unexpectedly. This could result in the car being rear ended in traffic. This problem has occurred 7 times since I bought the car.

NHTSA ID
11512204
Incident
Mar 14, 2023

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

26-GI-003H

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in the 2026 2nd Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system. Refer to the 2026 2nd Navigation Map and Software Update Key Improvements and Additional Improvements tables in this TSB for a list of specific changes. The software can be downloaded via Navigation Updater (NAU) and updated by USB.

26-GI-004H

BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS

Some Hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (PDW) sensor(s) that may trigger various DTCs and display warning messages on the instrument cluster, resulting in the PDW sensor(s) failing to detect nearby objects or triggering multiple false alarms. This condition may be a result of external damage to the PDW sensor membrane or sensor cover from rock chips or road debris, a collision, or previous vehicle repairs or modifications.

9C5 OL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Hyundai has determined that certain Kona Electric and Ioniq Electric vehicles are eligible for a BMS software update. This update to the BMS software improves the system’s diagnostic capability.

26-01-065H DCS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Certain Kona Electric (OS EV) and Ioniq Electric (AE EV) vehicles are eligible for a Battery Management System (BMS) software update. This update to the BMS software improves the system's diagnostic capability. Follow Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 26-01-065H to complete the BMS software update.

26-01-065H TSB

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Certain Kona Electric (OS EV) and Ioniq Electric (AE EV) vehicles are eligible for a Battery Management System (BMS) software update. This update to the BMS software improves the system’s diagnostic capability. Follow this bulletin to complete the BMS software update.

26-01-065H DN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Certain Kona Electric (OS EV) and Ioniq Electric (AE EV) vehicles are eligible for a Battery Management System (BMS) software update. This update to the BMS software improves the system’s diagnostic capability.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Hyundai Kona Electric by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025110—
2024151033.5
2023Viewing510—
2022221150.2
2021273154.6
2020274152.0
2019544154.8

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.