Every 2020 Hyundai Kona recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Engine · NHTSA 21V301000
Apr 28, 2021Engine
- 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.
Full recall details for 21V301000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 21V127000
Jan 3, 2021Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction BatteryPark outside
- 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. Owners were notified of the safety risk, and the interim action, with a letter mailed April 9, 2021. Final owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 200.
Full recall details for 21V127000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 20V630000
Oct 13, 2020Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery:Management System/Energy Control Module (Bms/Becm):SoftwarePark outside
- 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.
Full recall details for 20V630000 →Equipment · NHTSA 20V022000
Jan 17, 2020Equipment:Other:Labels
- 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.
Full recall details for 20V022000 →Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 20V748000
Jan 12, 2020Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Electric:Control Module:Software
- 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.
Full recall details for 20V748000 →
2020 Hyundai Kona complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 187 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Hyundai Kona, reporting 9 crashes, 3 fires, 12 injuries, 1 deaths. Hyundai has issued at least 81 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine108
- Electrical System28
- Power Train23
- Unknown Or Other19
- Forward Collision Avoidance13
- Service Brakes8
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (68)
- Equipment (29)
- Steering (17)
- Power Train (13)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (12)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (9)
Read Hyundai Kona owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 187 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Hyundai Kona. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“The Kona was driven a 1/2 hour before parking the vehicle. The Kona was turned off. Within 5 minutes smoke began wafting from under the hood. When I opened the hood to inspect I found the engine & underside of the hood was engulfed in flames. I closed the hood immediately.”
2020 HYUNDAI KONAJul 3, 2026 · PA
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11748215
Crash
“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.”
2020 HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRICJun 17, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11667507
Injury reportedCrash
“I stopped my car foot on brake put it in park and it accelerated on its own and forced me to crash into a concrete wall still not wanting to stop”
2020 HYUNDAI KONAApr 25, 2026 · RI
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11733726
“While driving approximately 70 mph on I-10 in Louisiana late at night, my 2020 Hyundai Kona EV displayed a "Check EV System" warning while I was on the highway. There were no safe areas or emergency shoulders available to pull over, so I continued driving toward the nearest exit.”
2020 HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRICMar 4, 2026 · LA
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11722050
Fire
“On 3/29/26 my Kona caught fire while parked in the front left side of the engine and burned completely within eight minutes. This is not an electric car. Prior to that I drove the car all day with no incident. It was later in the evening around 5:40 PM.”
2020 HYUNDAI KONAApr 1, 2026 · NY
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11728446
Check your Kona by VIN
Not every 2020 Hyundai Kona is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Hyundai dealer.
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