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Your vehicleHome›Hyundai›Kona› 2020
Active NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from structures until repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and see the recall details below.
Hyundai · Compact SUV

2020 Hyundai Kona

Electric Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
5 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
F
Safety Signal
55 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 5 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
Recalls3 critical 5
Complaints9 crash · 3 fire · 12 injured · 1 died reported 189
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
EV rangebest configuration, EPA 258 mi
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 30 mpg
2027202620252024202320222021202020192018

The 2020 Hyundai Kona is sold in the U.S. as an electric and gas compact SUV with 5 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Kona Electric, is EPA-rated at 258 miles with 120 MPGe combined efficiency. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year, 3 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 189 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Hyundai Kona — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Hyundai Kona · Photo: Damian B Oh · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
Kona ElectricElectricFWD150 kW AC PMSM132108120 MPGe258 mi27.59 h$600
Kona FWDGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo283230———$2,250
Kona FWDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl273330———$2,250
Kona AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl263028———$2,400
Kona AWDGasAWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo262927———$2,500

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42089, 41420, 41421, 41422, 41412.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
Kona Electric10 / 10Federal Tier 3 Bin 0 / California ZEVAll 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay Elite
Kona FWD5 / 10California LEV-III ULEV70 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 70All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay
Kona AWD5 / 10California LEV-III ULEV70 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 70All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Doors4
GVWR classClass 1B: 3,001 - 4,000 lb (1,360 - 1,814 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders4
Displacement2 L

Engine Output

Horsepower147 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seat rows2
Seating capacity5 seats

Transmission

Drivetrain4x2
TransmissionAutomatic
Transmission speeds6

Driver assistance

Standard: Adaptive cruise control, Anti-lock brakes, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Lane keeping assist, Pedestrian automatic emergency braking

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: Limited, SE, SEL, Ultimate). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length164.2–164.6 in
Width (body, without mirrors)70.9 in
Height59.1–61.8 in
Wheelbase102.4 in
Track, front61.4 in
Track, rear61.4 in
Curb weight2,890–3,715 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear56/44

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 3 configurations: 2.0 AWD 4-door SUV, 2.0 FWD 4-door SUV, Electric 4-door SUV. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2020 Kona
Other years The 2027 Kona Recalls Hyundai recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2020 Hyundai Kona is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (5)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Engine

203
158,493 vehicles 91% reported repaired
Problem Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage. Risk A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire. Fix Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V301000 reported Apr 28, 2021 Hyundai Motor America the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Electrical System

200
Park outside 4,696 vehicles 99% reported repaired Electric only
Problem 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V127000 reported Mar 1, 2021 Hyundai Motor America the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

199
8,176 vehicles 99% reported repaired Electric only
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. 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V748000 reported Dec 1, 2020 Hyundai Motor America the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Electrical System

196
Park outside 6,707 vehicles 98% reported repaired Electric only
Problem 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V630000 reported Oct 13, 2020 Hyundai Motor America the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Equipment

187
477 vehicles 94% reported repaired
Problem Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Kona vehicles. The certification label may indicate incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 567, "Certification" and 110, "Tire Selection and Rims." Risk An incorrect GAWR could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install new label stickers displaying the correct GAWR over the affected areas of the certification label, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 187.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V022000 reported Jan 17, 2020 Hyundai Motor America the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

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 mat

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005 · the investigation’s page →

Engine — Loss of Motive Power closed

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · closed Dec 12, 2023 · action DP22003 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific Kona

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2020 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Hyundai publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Hyundai’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2020 Hyundai Kona, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2020 Hyundai Kona

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this Kona →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
189complaints filed

9 involved a crash · 3 a fire · 12 injuries · 1 deaths reported

26 per 10,000 built · Hyundai reported 71,888 Kona built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2020: 17 · 2021: 74 · 2022: 14 · 2023: 15 · 2024: 11 · 2025: 30 · 2026: 28

Most-cited components

Engine → 113
Electrical System 28
Power Train 23
Unspecified 19
Vehicle Speed Control 7
Steering 7

In depth: engine problems →

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

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
Engine Jun 17, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11667507
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.
Electrical System Feb 10, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11641724
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…
Forward Collision Avoidance Apr 29, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11585896
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.
Power Train Apr 2, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11580665
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.
Service Brakes Feb 29, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11574761
215/55/R17 The N Priz AH8 tires are extremely slippery on wet pavement. Unless I drive exceptionally slow and cautiously, I could lose control of my Hyundai Kona Ev
Tires Dec 28, 2021 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11445281

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Hyundai itself: 9 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 11 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 13 per 100,000 built. Every Kona model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 11k

miles, typically

Half the 52 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 5,000 and 22,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 22
10k–20k 14
20k–30k 5
30k–40k 0
40k–50k 0
50k–60k 1
60k–70k 2
70k–80k 2
80k–90k 0
90k–100k 0
100k–150k 6
150k + 0

Median mileage by component

ComponentReportsMedian milesVs same age
Engine3317,0000.34×

Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2020-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Here, owners reported earlier than same-age vehicles: engine (0.34×). Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.

Across 2019–2021 model years the Hyundai Kona ranks 53 of 79 nameplates in the odometer-at-first-complaint study: owners reported problems at 1.39× the mileage of vehicles the same age (median 21,000 miles against a fleet 23,512).

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆14%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆14%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning.

Driver-assist crash reports (1)

Source: NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01
1report filed

1 no injury reported

Apr 2022 to Apr 2022 · 0 with an air bag deployment · 0 towed

What was engaged, and what was hit

System named: L4 (1)

Crash partner: Passenger Car 1

Filed by: Pony.ai

IncidentSystemStruckInjury allegedStateSpeedReport
Apr 2022ADS · L4Passenger Carno injury reportedCA—30711-2862

From the manufacturer’s own filing

The reporting entity’s narrative as NHTSA published it, with anything identifying removed and nothing added. A narrative is a notice, written before the entity had verified what happened.

On April [redacted], 2022, while operating in autonomous mode with a safety operator in the driver's seat, a Pony.ai Autonomous Vehicle was parked in a parking lot when a passenger vehicle reversed into the Pony.ai vehicle. The Pony.ai vehicle sustained minor damage to the driver's side rear door.
Pony.ai report 30711-2862 Apr 2022 NHTSA SGO filing

A report under the General Order is a notice the manufacturer or operator must file within days of hearing of a crash in which a Level 2 driver-assist or automated-driving system was engaged within 30 seconds of impact. It is filed before anything is verified, and entities with telematics hear of far more crashes than entities that rely on complaints, so counts say as much about the reporting as about the car and are not comparable across makes. Nothing is normalised by fleet size. Every report on file, by make and year → · NHTSA’s page and files

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 135
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-10-08
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 111 service bulletins, 13 service campaigns, 11 others

Most often about: Electrical System, Equipment, Steering, Engine, Power Train.

  • 26-EM-016H TSB Service bulletin
    2026-10-08 · Engine
  • Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. All internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operation, depending on driving conditions and mileage, and this procedure should only be performed when dee
  • 26-EM-015H TSB Service bulletin
    2026-10-07 · Engine
  • Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. All internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operation. Oil consumption rates may vary based on mileage, operating conditions, driving habits, and mainte
  • 9C5 OL Service campaign
    2026-09-09 · Electrical System
  • 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.
  • 26-EE-003H TSB Service bulletin
    2026-04-18 · Electrical System
  • Some vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an inspection on the starter magnetic switch for potential freezing and, if necessary, replace the starter magnetic switch (solenoid) assembly.
  • 11032523 Other
    2026-04-10 · Air Bags
  • The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehicle manufacturers and have primarily been found in vehicles that previously experienced a crash and
  • 11032522 Other
    2026-04-10 · Air Bags
  • The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prior crashes, theft, or non‑certified airbag replacements. These inflators are not approved for use, may
  • 11027047 Other
    2025-12-19 · Air Bags
  • A Class Action settlement regarding the TRW Airbag was recently decided. Based on the Class Action, customers are eligible for certain settlement benefits. Please see attached for details. Impacted vehicles are also noted below. For further information regarding settlement benefits and contacts, please review the dealer notification per the attached. It is also available on Hyundaidealer.com under
  • 11027045 Other
    2025-12-19 · Air Bags
  • Hyundai has settled a class action lawsuit that alleges that certain Hyundai and Kia Class Vehicles (defined below) contain defective ZF-TRW airbag control units (“ZF-TRW ACUs”) that are vulnerable to a condition called electrical overstress, which may cause the vehicles’ airbags and other safety features to fail during a collision. Hyundai has not been found liable for any claims alleged in the l

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P1327
P1327 on Hyundai →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine2 bulletins · 5 owner reports
P1AA6
P1AA6 on Hyundai →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train4 bulletins
P1AA7
P1AA7 on Hyundai →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train4 bulletins
P1AAF
P1AAF on Hyundai →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train4 bulletins
P0017
P0017 on Hyundai →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine2 owner reports

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2020 Hyundai Kona failed the emissions check on 0.99% of first inspections — lower than the 2.2% for every 2020 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.8% (every 2020 vehicle: 1.6%).

New York inspections 0.99%

failed emissions

3,134 initial inspections of 3,070 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2020 KonaEvery 2020 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check0.99%2.2%3,045
Failed the safety inspection1.8%1.6%3,134
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.22%0.19%3,134
Miles driven a year8,8929,980odometer at inspection
Average odometer55,75362,630odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2020 vehicle” is every 2020 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Kona by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2027 A 0 0 31 mpg2026 C 3 10 31 mpg2025 A 1 29 261 mi2024 C 4 68 261 mi2023 C 2 75 Park outside2022 B 2 130 258 mi2021 C 3 147 258 mi2020 this page F 5 189 Park outside2019 F 4 250 Park outside2018 A 0 75 30 mpg

Common questions about the 2020 Kona

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2020 Hyundai Kona have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 5 recall campaigns for the 2020 Hyundai Kona, 3 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 21V301000, covering Engine. There is an active park outside advisory — act on it before driving. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2020 Hyundai Kona?

NHTSA gave the 2020 Hyundai Kona 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 5-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it F (55/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Hyundai Kona?

Across the 5 EPA-rated configurations of the 2020 Hyundai Kona, the best EPA combined figure is 30 mpg (MPGe on the electrified versions) and the longest EPA range is 258 miles on a charge. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2020 Hyundai Kona?

Transport Canada measured it at 164.2–164.6 in long, 70.9 in wide (body, without mirrors), 59.1–61.8 in tall, on a 102.4 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 2,890–3,715 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2020 Hyundai Kona?

Owners have filed 189 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Hyundai Kona, most often about engine, electrical system, power train. Of those, 9 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 12 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2020 Hyundai Kona?

The EPA smog rating for the 2020 Hyundai Kona runs 5 to 10 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III ULEV70, California ZEV, Federal Tier 3 Bin 0, Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2020 Hyundai Kona?

The manufacturer has filed 135 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2020 Hyundai Kona, most often covering electrical system, equipment, steering. The most recent is dated 2026-10-08. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2020 Hyundai Kona do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2020 Hyundai Kona failed the emissions check on 0.99% of first inspections — lower than the 2.2% for every 2020 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.8% (every 2020 vehicle: 1.6%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations5 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates5 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls5NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints189NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings2 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins135NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations2NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reports1NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01Crashes the manufacturer or operator reported with a Level 2 or automated-driving system engaged. Notices, filed before verification; not comparable across makes.
Specifications filed with NHTSA12 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2027 Kona The Kona model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 0 recalls.Recalls Every Hyundai recall on file All campaigns filed against Hyundai vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this Kona by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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