YearToAvoid

2020 Hyundai Kona Electric Electrical System Problems

The Electrical System accounts for 17 of 27 complaints (63%) filed on the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric, mostly tied to two Li-ion battery recalls, campaigns 20V630000 and 21V127000. Median mileage at failure is 4,700 miles, with owners commonly reporting parts unavailable to complete the repair.

Electrical System complaints
17
63% of 27 complaints
All complaints this year
27
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
4,700 mi
Related recalls
2

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Owners report their Kona Electric was named in recall 20V630000 or 21V127000 for a lithium-ion battery that may short-circuit, but the replacement part was not available at the dealer for extended periods.
  • Some owners describe a temporary fix where the dealer reduced battery charging capacity to 80% while waiting for the permanent remedy.
  • Several owners state Hyundai did not disclose the promised interim safe charging limit percentage as outlined in the recall notice.
  • One owner reported the battery warning light illuminated and the transmission failed to shift into gear after a recall repair was performed.
  • One owner reported the battery failed entirely, stopping the electrical system from working and requiring a new battery to be ordered.
  • One owner cited concern about the traction battery catching fire due to a manufacturing defect covered under the recall.

When 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 20, 2020, latest Mar 4, 2026.

2020 Hyundai Kona Electric electrical system complaints: complaints filed per month3Oct 2020Mar 2021Jun 2021Aug 2021Jan 2022Feb 2025
17 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2020 to Mar 2026; peak May 2021 (3).

Electrical System recalls for the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric

  1. NHTSA 21V127000Mar 1, 2021Electrical System4,696 vehiclesPark Outside

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 20V630000Oct 13, 2020Electrical System6,707 vehiclesPark Outside

    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.

    Risk: 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.

Electrical System complaints by Kona Electric model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201942 (78%)
  2. 202017 (63%)
  3. 202111 (42%)
  4. 202215 (71%)
  5. 20233 (60%)
  6. 202410 (67%)
  7. 20251 (100%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric have an electrical system recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists two related recalls, campaign 20V630000 and campaign 21V127000, both covering a lithium-ion battery that may short-circuit. Both recalls advise owners to park outside and away from structures until repairs are complete.
How common are electrical system complaints on the 2020 Kona Electric?
NHTSA lists 17 electrical system complaints out of 27 total complaints for the 2020 model year, or 63% of all complaints filed.
At what mileage do these electrical problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure among reported complaints is 4,700 miles.
Were there any crashes, fires, or injuries linked to these complaints?
NHTSA data shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported among the 2020 Kona Electric electrical system complaints.
Was the recall repair readily available to owners?
Several owners reported that after receiving recall notification, the replacement part was not yet available at their dealer, causing delays.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.