2021 Hyundai Kona Electric problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (5) · Electrical System (3) · Vehicle Speed Control (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Kona Electric model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery:thermal Management:fluid/Coolant 2022-12-16 · campaign 22V941000 · 853 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:electric:control Module:software 2020-12-01 · campaign 20V748000 · 8,176 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (44)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-10-27 · 26-GI-003H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 improv
Back Over Prevention: Warnings 2026-10-15 · 26-GI-004H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 res
Fuel/Propulsion System 2026-09-09 · 9C5 OL · Service Campaign
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.
Fuel/Propulsion System 2026-08-17 · 26-01-065H DCS · Service Campaign
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.
Fuel/Propulsion System 2026-08-14 · 26-01-065H TSB · Service Campaign
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.
Fuel/Propulsion System 2026-08-13 · 26-01-065H DN · Service Campaign
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 44 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-15 · Engine · 60,000 mi“the contact owns a 2021 hyundai kona electric. the contact stated that since purchasing the vehicle, an abnormal rumble sound was heard that grew progressively louder. additionally, while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle was significantly sluggish. the failure recurred while driving at 30 mph, requiring the driver to pull over to the …”
2026-02-22 · Power Train“on february 3, 2026, while driving in a high-traffic turning lane, my hyundai kona electric vehicle suddenly lost propulsion and would not accelerate. the vehicle shut down without warning and could not be restarted. traffic was building behind me, creating a safety hazard. i felt unsafe due to surrounding vehicles expecting movement, i contacted t…”
2025-08-29 · Unknown Or Other“potential fire and safety risk ... the hyundai kona electric vehicle (ev) has experienced issues with its integrated charging control unit (iccu) due to problems with the low-conductivity coolant (bsc-1) used in models produced between 2018 and october 2021. this coolant can crystallize, forming debris that clogs the cooling system, leading to fal…”
2025-08-29 · Unknown Or Other“file with nhtsa now please!!!! what do you have to lose??? if anything if they do an investigation we are safe post warranty. report a vehicle safety problem, equipment issue | nhtsa [xxx] the hyundai kona electric vehicle (ev) has experienced issues with its integrated charging control unit (iccu) due to problems with the low-conductivity co…”
2025-08-02 · Unknown Or Other“manufacturing defect ... took it in 4 times for "refill inverter coolant" warning . they had a campaign ' tried by couldn't get the light to go away . it was their first time ever performing this on an ev at kerry hyundai alexandria . now td ev in mason ohio is confirming my inverter failed as a direct result of the poor flushes and poor manufa…”
2025-07-19 · Electrical System“hyundia has had my car in for the same recall 4 to 5 times . 6 total weeks this time around. the ""refill inverter coolant" light kept coming back on . the last time i got it home it had more issues than when i took it in and wouldn't even catch a charge . (ev) they fried my compassitor trying to fix the inverter coolant recall . i then took h…”
2025-06-26 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the car was unable to charge using level 3 dc fast chargers, necessitating the use of a level 2 charger for an extended length of time in order to be able to return home. a hyundai dealer replaced the charging inlet lock actuator (invoice attached). …”
2025-06-25 · Service Brakes“after powering on the car, the dashboard displayed multiple brake system warnings, including the brake system warning light and a message on the lcd display that read "check regenerative brakes." a hyundai dealer replaced the integrated electric brake unit assembly (invoice attached). …”
2025-06-06 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings · 💥 crash“my wife's car t-boned another vehicle, but the air bags didn't deploy. luckily, she wasn't hurt badly, but the vehicle was deemed a total loss, so you can imagine the force of the collision. the forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking didn't activate either. i reported it to hyundai. they sent an inspector to examine the vehicle, …”
2025-04-28 · Engine“fill coolant warning came on, we checked the coolant and the coolant level was good. i spoke to a hyundai service center and the rep said that sometimes this happens with hyundais and it may go off. indeed it did but then fill coolant warning came back and the coolant level was still good. after several weeks of the fill coolant warning being on …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.