Hyundai Kona electrical problems, 2018–2027
244 of the 958 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Kona 2018–2027 name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). The loudest years: 2019 (60), 2024 (43), 2022 (42). Filed under the same heading across these years: 7 manufacturer bulletins, 5 recall campaigns, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Hyundai Kona electrical problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the electrical system | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 1 | 11% | — | 2 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2025 | 10 | 34% | — | 22 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 43 | 64% | — | 30 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2023 | 31 | 42% | — | 42 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 42 | 33% | — | 76 TSBs · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2021 | 21 | 15% | — | 61 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2020 | 28 | 15% | — | 80 TSBs · 2 recalls · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 60 | 24% | — | 86 TSBs · 2 recalls · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2018 | 8 | 11% | — | 58 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the electrical system. Nothing here is a rate.
When the electrical complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2019: 2 · 2020: 6 · 2021: 52 · 2022: 30 · 2023: 32 · 2024: 36 · 2025: 55 · 2026: 31
Across the model years, half of the 37 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 5,000 and 18,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Vehicle (2019 Kona) is subject to Recall 203 (piston ring/bore defect). On XXX Puente Hills Hyundai refused the mandatory physcial inspection, instead attempting to charge $1,100 for 'leak repairs.' An independent inspection by Valvoline on XXX confirmed the engine is dry with no leaks, proving the dealer's claim was fraudulent.
1. Driver’s side door locked up and it is impossible to unlock from the inside of the car manually or electrically. The door cannot be manually opened up from the outside OR the inside of the car. 2. My safety has been put at risk because of not being able to exit the car in case of an emergency. 3. Not yet.
While driving the instrument panel, headlights and infotainment screen all went black. Has happened multiple times but difficult to replicate. Vehicles head lights turned off while driving in the early morning (dark) but turned back on within a second or two. No warnings, no lights, no errors
Hyundai engages emergency parking brake EPB) automatically when in parked on an incline. The EPB will disengage under normal operation if all doors are closed. If doors are open, EPB will not disengage. If going from park to drive, this is not a problem.
August 2024: Horn malfunction/failure. Pressed the car's horn, and it FAILED to produce the loud sound that it is SUPPOSED TO make to warn others of possible danger. It continued to not work and needed to be replaced for the third time. Part 96611-J9500 (Horn Assembly) was replaced for the THIRD time on this vehicle
What is on file about the electrical system, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 26V047000 ModerateJan 26, 2026 · 41,651 vehicles
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."
- 23V901000 HighDec 26, 2023 · 10,984 vehicles
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Kona vehicles. The 12-Volt battery cables may chafe against the engine control module bracket and short circuit during a crash.
- 22V941000 HighDec 16, 2022 · 853 vehicles
- 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.
- Mar 1, 2021 · 4,696 vehicles
- 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.
- Oct 13, 2020 · 6,707 vehicles
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Kona Electric vehicles. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery may short-circuit.
NHTSA investigation
- DP22005 Pedestrian alert soundsopened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023
- 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 ele…
7 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Sep 9, 2026
- 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.
- Jul 1, 2026
- Some Kona (SX2) vehicles equipped with the 1.6L T‑GDI engine may exhibit false “engine left idling” notifications in the MyHyundai app, even when the engine is not running, due to a logic error associated with the front oxygen (O₂) sensor. This condition may also illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) and set DTC P223700 (O₂ Sensor Pumping Current Circuit/Open [Bank 1 Sensor 1]). This bul
- May 27, 2026
- This bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in the 2026 1st Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system. Refer to the 2026 1st Navigation Map and Software Update Key Improvements and Additional Improvements tables in this TSB for a list of specific changes. The software c
- Apr 18, 2026
- 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.
- Apr 8, 2026
- Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink functions. This may be due to an occasional disconnection on Verizon’s communication network. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to verify Bluelink Data Communication Unit (DCU) network connection and if needed, reset the DCU in Dealer Mode to resolve the connection.
- Dec 19, 2025
- In response to this trend, we engineered a software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method and made it available to owners of eligible models free of charge at authorized Hyundai dealers since early 2023. In addition to the anti-theft software, we’ve developed a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade that can be installed at the ignition cylinder location
- Dec 15, 2025
- In addition to the Anti-Theft software provided under Service Campaign 993 (TSB 24-01-009H-1), a zinc reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade is being made available to customers upon request. This supplemental security measure is to be installed at the ignition switch location and provides additional protection against the social media theft method. Vehicles not equipped with an i
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Hyundai Kona
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Hyundai Kona problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Hyundai Kona years have the most electrical complaints?
2019, 60; 2024, 43; 2022, 42. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2024 (64%).
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the Hyundai Kona?
Yes — 5 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 26V047000 (2026), 23V901000 (2024), 22V941000 (2021), 21V127000 (2020). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do electrical problems show up on the Hyundai Kona?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 9,500 miles across the model years; half of them between 5,000 and 18,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.