2021 Hyundai Kona Electric problems & reliability
26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric, alongside 2 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.
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric vehicles were involved in 1 fatal crash with 0 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System → | 10 | 38% |
| Unknown OR Other | 7 | 27% |
| Engine | 4 | 15% |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 8% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 8% |
| Visibility | 2 | 8% |
| Air Bags | 1 | 4% |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 4% |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 4% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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…”
Power Train · filed Feb 22, 2026
“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…”
Unknown OR Other · filed Aug 29, 2025
“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…”
Unknown OR Other · filed Aug 29, 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
38 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric. The 10 most recent:
Certain 2021-2023 model year Kona, 2021-2023 model year Kona Electric, and 2022-2023 model year Kona N vehicles may experience an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to…
Z07 OL · Warranty Program/Extension · issued May 16, 2026
Some vehicles may have an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the horn replacement under this condition to 10 years…
26-BE-010H DN · Warranty Program/Extension · issued Apr 18, 2026
Some vehicles may have an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the horn replacement under this condition to 10 years…
26-BE-010H TSB · Warranty Program/Extension · issued Apr 18, 2026
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
This bulletin provides information related to the changes introduced in the 2025 1st Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system as described in this…
25-BE-020H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 30, 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
This bulletin provides information related to the changes introduced in the 2024 2nd Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system. Refer to the 2024…
25-BE-002H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 16, 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
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 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric has 2 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 2021 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.