Hyundai Kona Electric Best and Worst Years (2019–2025)
The 2019 and 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric are the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 83, driven mainly by electrical system problems including battery fire risk. The 2023 model year is rated Best with a complaint index of just 17, and 2024 is rated Good at 33.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 7
- 2019–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 149
- Recall campaigns
- 5
- Crashes reported
- 6
- Fires reported
- 3
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Kona Electric Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Hyundai Kona Electric problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Avoid | 100 | 54 | 2 | 2 | 3 | Electrical System | 120 | — |
| 2020 | Caution | 50 | 27 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 120 | — |
| 2021 | Avoid | 83 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Electrical System | 120 | — |
| 2022 | Caution | 67 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 120 | — |
| 2023 | Best | 17 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 120 | — |
| 2024 | Good | 33 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 117 | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 116 | — |
Kona Electric years to avoid: what went wrong
2019 Hyundai Kona Electric Index 100 · 54 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2019 Kona Electric has the highest complaint index (100) of any model year, with 54 total complaints and its top problem area, Electrical System, accounting for 78% of that year's issues at a median mileage of 17,286. Owners reported wire-burning smells during cold-weather warmups and one fire incident. Three recall campaigns hit this year, including two involving the lithium-ion battery potentially short-circuiting, which led Hyundai to advise owners to park outside away from structures. A fourth-largest problem area was fuel system complaints at 19% share.
2021 Hyundai Kona Electric Index 83 · 26 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2021 Kona Electric ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 83 across 26 complaints. Electrical System issues made up 42% of complaints at a median mileage of 23,000, including a reported charger-related fire. Engine complaints followed at 23% share with a median mileage of 19,850. Two recall campaigns applied to this year: one for an Electric Power Control Unit that may leak coolant internally, and one shared brake-system recall covering abnormal sensor signals in the Integrated Electronic Brake system.
Most common Hyundai Kona Electric problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Electrical System99 (66%)
- Other20 (13%)
- Engine18 (12%)
- Brakes15 (10%)
- Fuel System14 (9%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras12 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain12 (8%)
- Lane Departure2 (1%)
- Steering2 (1%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (1%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Hyundai Kona Electric should I avoid?
- NHTSA complaint data points to 2019 and 2021 as the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 83, the two highest among all Kona Electric model years.
- What is the best year for the Hyundai Kona Electric?
- The 2023 Kona Electric is rated Best with a complaint index of only 17 and just 5 total complaints. The 2024 model year is rated Good with a complaint index of 33.
- Does the Hyundai Kona Electric have battery fire recalls?
- Yes. The 2019 model year has two recall campaigns tied to the lithium-ion battery potentially short-circuiting, and owners were advised to park outside away from structures until repairs were complete.
- What is the most common problem on the Hyundai Kona Electric?
- Across all model years, the Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 99 of 149 total complaints, or 66% of all reported issues.
- Is the 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Kona Electric is rated Avoid relative to other Kona Electric years, with a complaint index of 83 and two recall campaigns covering the power control unit and brake system.