While driving approximately 70 mph on I-10 in Louisiana late at night, my 2020 Hyundai Kona EV displayed a “Check EV System” warning while I was on the highway. There were no safe areas or emergency shoulders available to pull over, so I continued driving toward the nearest exit. Approximately 15 minutes after the warning appeared, as I attempted to exit the highway, the vehicle suddenly lost power and rapidly slowed. The vehicle came to a complete stop and could not accelerate, move forward, or reverse. This created a serious safety risk because the vehicle lost propulsion while traveling at highway speed. The vehicle had approximately 62,000 miles at the time of the incident. The vehicle was towed to Giles Hyundai where the dealership diagnosed an internal temperature sensor and resolver failure. Because these components are integrated into the drive system, the dealership replaced the entire traction motor assembly. The repair cost was approximately $9,000. The sudden loss of propulsion at highway speed created a dangerous situation for both the driver and surrounding traffic.
The worst 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical17
- Brakes5
- Driver assistance5
- Transmission3
- Fuel system2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical17
- Brakes5
- Driver assistance5
- Transmission3
- Fuel system2
- Engine1
- Tires1
Recalls 4
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module: software
- What is wrong
- 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 on November 6, 2026.
Recall number 26V728000 · Recall details
Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 21V127000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: electric: control module: software
- What is wrong
- 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
- 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.
Recall number 20V748000 · Recall details
Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery: management system/energy control module (bms/becm): software
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 20V630000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric
Defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
the federal safety agency 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 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, the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP22005
Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric 54
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in...
- Some Hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (PDW) sensor(s) that may trigger...
- Fuel/propulsion system
- Certain Kona Electric (OS EV) and Ioniq Electric (AE EV) vehicles are eligible for a Battery Management...
- Certain Kona Electric (OS EV) and Ioniq Electric (AE EV) vehicles are eligible for a Battery Management...
- Certain Kona Electric (OS EV) and Ioniq Electric (AE EV) vehicles are eligible for a Battery Management...
- The federal safety agency has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit...
- The federal safety agency has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag...
- This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the...
- This bulletin provides information related to the changes introduced in the 2025 1st Navigation Map and...
2020 Hyundai Kona Electric fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric motor Electric 258 mi range | FWD | 132 | 108 | 120 MPGe |
What 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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 wash, causing draw on battery; the battery was damaged by continued discharge due to strain from parts replaced. Hyundai agreed to replace the battery at no charge to customer. There were no warming lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to 6/17/2024. My safety, as a senior and woman is at risk if the car was stranded in a parking lot or other area outside of my home garage.
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 did not know how to fix/address my problem. They did find "multiple codes" in the car history, deleted the codes, and test drove the car. They said if it happened again, to let them know. They also told me if it occurred again, then I should bring it in when the 1 and only technician, who knows anything about the EV cars, was working. I took a photo of the dashboard immediately after one of the episodes while the car was still running before I shut if off. I will attach it.
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 federal safety agency recalls or Hybrid and EV Sonata and Ioniq 5 models.
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 Hyundai and he said it was just a setting with the response time, so he changed it. But it kept happening intermittently. I brought into the Future Hyundai of Concord dealer and they test drove it, could not replicate it, and after checking with their computers, said that the "system is working as designed". Frustrated that I wasn't being heard, I contacted Hyundai Consumer Affairs. They supported me and I got a case number and another appointment at a different dealer, Dublin Hyundai. This time, I went on the test drive and the technician was able to replicate the situation. At first he said it was a setting, but I said that I didn't care what the setting was, this should never happen. It is very dangerous. He agreed and said he would need to contact "Techline" the next day. But when I tried to find out any information about this conversation, I got only silence. Then I got a message that I could come pick up my car and that "the system is working as designed". Help!
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Kona. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.
Compare the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric
Other model years
Questions about the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric
Is the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric reliable?
Owners have filed 27 complaints about the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric, close to a typical Kona Electric model year.
What is the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric year score?
The 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric scores 73 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Hyundai Kona Electric: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric?
Electrical system, with 17 complaints. Next is brakes (5).
How many recalls does the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric have?
4 recalls, covering air bags, electrical system and service brakes, hydraulic.
Was there a recall on the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric electrical?
Yes, 2 recalls: 21V127000, 20V630000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Hyundai Kona Electric have the most electrical problems?
The Hyundai Kona Electric model years with the most electrical complaints are 2019 (42 complaints), 2020 (17 complaints) and 2022 (15 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric get?
The 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric is rated at 120 MPGe combined, with up to 258 miles of range.
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