2021 Hyundai Kona Electric recalls and problems

The 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric has 3 recalls and 27 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is electrical system.

Pictured: a 2020 model; the 2021 may differ in details. Photo: 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How the 2021 compares

High

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

High complaint count among 7 Kona Electric model years — 3rd most.

3recalls

27complaints

1crashes

1fires

0injuries

38,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

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3 recalls

Air Bags

Nov 2, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V728000 · 37,901 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: Air bags and seat belt pretensioners that do not activate in a crash increases the risk of injury.

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.

Electrical System

Dec 16, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V941000 · 853 vehicles

Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Kona EV vehicles. The Electric Power Control Unit (EPCU) may have been improperly sealed and may leak coolant internally.

Risk: Coolant contacting the EPCU circuit board may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will inspect and replace the EPCU, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 22, 2023. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 239.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Service Brakes

Dec 1, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V748000 · 8,176 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: Reduced braking power could lengthen the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Electrical System10

Unknown or other7

Engine5

Service Brakes2

Vehicle Speed Control2

Visibility2

Air Bags1

Back Over Prevention1

Exterior Lighting1

Forward Collision Avoidance1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

NHTSA investigations

Pedestrian alert sounds

DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000

Summary

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

2021 vs. other Hyundai Kona Electric years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2021. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns covering the 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric, the latest from Nov 2, 2026 (air bags). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention electrical system (10), unknown or other (7), engine (5). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.