2019 Hyundai Kona Electric problems & reliability
54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric, alongside 3 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
1 complaint report injuries (1 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System → | 42 | 78% |
| Fuel/propulsion System → | 10 | 19% |
| Engine | 5 | 9% |
| Power Train | 5 | 9% |
| Service Brakes | 4 | 7% |
| Unknown OR Other | 4 | 7% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 2% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 2% |
| Wheels | 1 | 2% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The contact owned a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the vehicle accelerated rapidly through a busy intersection on its own and would not slow or stop, despite the brake pedal being depressed. As a result, the contact briefly lost control of the vehicle as it…”
Vehicle Speed Control · filed Sep 18, 2025
“Component Failed: Electric transmission/drive unit failed twice before 150,000 miles. Still in vehicle, available for inspection. Safety Risk: Loss of propulsion while driving creates risk of being rear-ended or stranded in dangerous traffic conditions. Right now the car is not drivable Confirmed By: Problem confirmed…”
Service Brakes · filed Aug 15, 2025
“-the gear drive was diagnosed as needed to be replaced -the GRU may lock up during driving causing the vehicle to stop -dealer confirmed needs replacing -no warnings or lights on vehicle, it was noticed that the vehicle made a louder noise while driving but could be confused with tires or normal air noise while…”
Power Train · filed Feb 18, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Pedestrian alert sounds
Defect Petition DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000
Technical service bulletins
63 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric. The 10 most recent:
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.…
DTN DL · Other · issued Apr 10, 2026
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…
DTN DCS · Other · issued Apr 10, 2026
This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of…
25-BD-012H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 6, 2025
Certain IONIQ Electric (AE EV) and Kona Electric (OS EV) vehicles may exhibit a restricted coolant flow condition, which may be accompanied by a warning message (e.g., Coolant Supplement, Refill Inverter Coolant) in the…
25-01-063H TSB · Service Campaign · issued Sep 23, 2025
Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink Service functions. This may be due to an irregular disconnection on Verizon’s communication network. Follow the procedure…
25-01-024H-1 TSB · Service Campaign · issued May 8, 2025
Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink Service functions. This may be due to an irregular disconnection on Verizon's communication network. If you are…
25-01-024H EM · Service Campaign · issued Apr 7, 2025
Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink Service functions. This may be due to an irregular disconnection on Verizon’s communication network. Follow the procedure…
25-01-024H TSB · Service Campaign · issued Mar 18, 2025
This bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all models. If the protective cover is not removed correctly, there is a possibility of the rubber insert and…
24-BD-001H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 14, 2024
Certain 19-23MY Kona Electric (OS EV) vehicles may experience a condition of EV warning light ON with DTC P1AA6 to P1AAF found stored. The Battery Management System (BMS) software update will be performed to enhance…
23-01-073H-1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 17, 2023
Certain 19-23MY Kona Electric (OS EV) vehicles may experience a condition of EV warning light ON with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P1AA6 to P1AAF found stored. The Battery Management System (BMS) software update will…
23-01-073H-1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 17, 2023
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.