SUV, electric, 4x2, built in South Korea. Owner complaints on file from Oct 24, 2021 to Sep 21, 2026.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
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The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
21 complaints on file, page 1 of 2.
While driving my 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric at a low speed, pulling into a parking space, the electronic braking system suffered an immediate, catastrophic failure. Upon pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle completely failed to provide power brake assistance or slow down, resulting in a low-speed collision. The airbags did not deploy. Immediately following the crash, a diagnostic scan of the vehicle’s chassis network revealed active diagnostic trouble code C160404 (ECU Hardware Error / Internal Self-Test Failure), confirming a hard electronic fault within the Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) module. This vehicle platform has a documented history of dangerous IEB signal and software anomalies under past federal actions like NHTSA Campaign 20V748000, where regulators explicitly stated that these failures significantly reduce braking performance, extend stopping distances, and cause crashes. My vehicle suffered this exact failure mechanism, posing an immediate threat to life and property. I am requesting a formal federal investigation into this specific electronic brake computer failure to prevent further consumer injuries or collisions.
NHTSA complaint 11766004I found a lot of debris of metals contaminated in the gear reduction oil when I changed my gear reduction oil. I had a Vortex oil lug nut, which it sucks all of the metal debris in. I have pictures of that as a proof. I think this is a design flaw that Hyundai should recall, but they didn’t. Now it caused a clicking noise whenever I accelerate or step on the accelerator pedal. Additionally, their are some glitches with their software where it disconnected the wireless Apple car play and the back up camera didn’t show up sometimes whenever I put into reverse.
NHTSA complaint 116820341. Component or System Failed or Malfunctioned: The primary component that has consistently failed or malfunctioned is the air conditioning (AC) system. The AC unit does not adequately cool the vehicle's cabin, especially in hot weather. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request; it has been previously inspected by authorized Hyundai dealerships. 2. How Safety was Put at Risk: The malfunctioning AC unit poses a significant health and safety risk, particularly due to the presence of a [XXX] infant who frequently rides in the vehicle. Driving in a hot car without effective cooling can lead to heat-related distress for a young child. There is also a concern that this persistent issue may indicate a broader manufacturing defect, potentially warranting a safety recall. 3. Problem Reproduced or Confirmed by Dealer/Service Center: Yes, the problem has been repeatedly reproduced and confirmed by an authorized Hyundai dealership. Paramus Hyundai has examined this specific AC issue on four separate occasions during the last summer, and a fifth visit is now scheduled/imminent. Despite these multiple service attempts, the issue remains unresolved. 4. Inspection by Manufacturer, Police, Insurance, or Others: The vehicle and its AC component have been inspected multiple times by an authorized Hyundai dealer (Paramus Hyundai). The manufacturer, Hyundai Motor America, is aware of this ongoing issue, as evidenced by two formal customer service cases: an older case (Case Number: [XXX]) handled by Customer Service Specialist Raghad, and a more recent, open case (Case Number: [XXX]) handled by Customer Service Specialist Simran. The repeated advice given for the new case is the same as previous attempts, indicating a lack of definitive resolution despite manufacturer involvement through their customer service channels. 5. Warning Lamps, Messages, or Other Symptoms: No specific warning lamps or messages have appeared on the vehicle's dashboard related to the INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
NHTSA complaint 11667952Message: "check/refill coolant light has intermittently come on for past two days. I checked coolant and it is lower than "max" but higher than "min". Also, why is this website saying 0 unaddressed recalls on my car? There are recalls that were not done on my car. Message: "0 Unrepaired Recalls associated with this VIN"
NHTSA complaint 11660366HORN STOPS WORKING. IT STOPPED WORKING ABOUT A YEAR INTO OWNING THE CAR, THEN AGAIN A FEW WEEKS LATER. THE HORN SEEMS TO STOP WORKING AFTER WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID IS REFILLED; NOT SURE IF IT'S RELATED THOUGH. I HAVE BEEN IN SITUATIONS WHERE I NEEDED TO USE THE HORN BUT WAS UNABLE TO BECAUSE IT WAS CONSTANTLY NOT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint 11631411During the winter the vehicle does not produce heat. There is a knocking sound from under the dash and only cold air comes out of all the vents. When it was 20 degrees out I measure 35 degree air out the vents over the couse of an hour drive. The car has been to the dealer multiple times for this issues. They have acknowledged the problem and have tried replaing different parts but the problem still occurs. It's very cold in the car when it's below freezing outside and it's difficult to clear the windows of fog, frost, and snow with no heat. The HVAC system will make the knocking sound when turing on the car and sometimes when driving also. Trying to adjust the temperature will sometimes trigger the noise. I feel the knocking sound and lack of hear are related.
NHTSA complaint 11630822There were several recall/service notices on my vehicle. I brought car to dealer in May and they were unable to address them all b/c I was informed a dealer specific piece of equipment necessary for the recall had broken and they could not address that issue. Why is it saying on NHTSA website zero unaddressed recalls for my car? Here are some of the notices: Service Campaign 9A4: Kona EV DTC Inspection, BMS Update, and BSA Replacement – Dealer Best Practice August 29, 2023 I believe there was an additional issue of concern. I originally scheduled for early 2024 & then there was an additional recall/concern and I could not be accommodated until May 2024; however, as mentioned, they were unable to address all the issues at that time. Please let me know.
NHTSA complaint 11605205The push door to the charging port locks and I am unble to open it. It will sometimes unlock if I push the unlock button several times. This is worrisome since I need access to the charging port to charge my batter. Not sure if there is a design flaw with the latch to the door.
NHTSA complaint 11533692While driving slowly less than 5 MPH into parking stall the vehicle accelerated excessively while trying to brake the vehicle it continued to accelerate and jumped the curb while I was still pumping the brakes to try to get it to stop and the car finally stopped after hitting the front of the establishment building. No collision warning went off at this time as well. I checked the mats to see if they were against the accelerator pedal and they were not.
NHTSA complaint 11531338Started my 2022 Kona EV as usual in my driveway in Southern California in May 2023. Vehicle started then flashed "Check Vehicle System (EV) failure code appeared. Car would not stay started. Had it towed to Dealer they kept if for 2 week and called me to say the vehicle was fixed and I could come pick it up. Repair Order said that the "EV Safety Plug failed upon testing" That was a Friday afternoon. Drove the vehicle home and it seemed to be fixed. The next day (Saturday) went out in the am to run errands and got the same code again and again it wouldn't run. Again had it towed to Dealer (with poor Hyundai Roadside Service). It remains there as I suspect the Dealer tried an easy fix instead of a major one. Will update with status. Already a California Lemon Law buyback situation. I'm not even going to try to work it out because the new car is not operating as advertised. Car is unreliable.
NHTSA complaint 11523056The electrical system is not fulling shutting down after the vehicle is turned off and the 12 volt battery drains. This also caused the Instrument Panel to fail and made the car not safe to drive as we had no speedometer or odometer. The battery drain happened over and over again. The car is a lemon. This car has been at the dealer since December 30th, with no fix in sight.
NHTSA complaint 11506135My hybrid or power battery failure, my EV Hyundai Kona from October 14, 2022 up to now in maintenance at the dealer “Keyes Mission Hills Hyundai.” They withdrew every month the lease amount, from my side I pay monthly lease and insurance for car and gap. Every time contact them just swiftly disregarding the whole call and promises in, even they didn’t call back with solution or updates as promised in the call. I wanna get a solution for all these. Stop draining my money, I’m still using my old car and paying for gas every week.
NHTSA complaint 11501472There was a parasitic or phantom drain on my 12v battery (after 7 months 6K miles) - DEAD. A dealer service tech determined it to be the Harman Kardon radio (KONA EV Limited). Drained 3 batteries before it was found to be the culprit. Radio on backorder with no sign of ever showing up. Car has been at the dealer long enough to trigger the lemon law in CA. Considering the buyback as I have made two lease payments without the car in my possession6 weeks.
NHTSA complaint 11498498This is a continuation of Complaint #11495997. Mon 12/05/22 AM - I could unlock the car, but it wouldn’t start. I jumped the 12v battery and drove car for about 30 minutes. Tue 12/06/22 AM - Car Completely Dead. I called Hyundai Roadside Assistance who sent a AAA technician who jumped 12V battery. I drove car for about 45 minutes to charge battery. I left a message with San Leandro Hyundai - Service & Parts Center about bringing car in and getting a loaner car, and am waiting for a callback today.
NHTSA complaint 11496222The following was posted on 12/5/22 on Kona Owners Forum: "USA location. Have a '22 Kona (EV; but, that apparently that not relevant to problem). Horn stopped working at about 7500 miles. Immediately made appt with dealer. On day of service there was another 2022 Kona (gas powered) in shop for same thing. Since I only have one car and wife with Alzheimer's, dealer checked obvious things and released me, saying the other owner could leave their Kona for detailed diagnosis. Dealer reported back to me that they believed they had found problem with other Kona, ordered part and would let me know if problem would be solved for the other Kona. If problem solved they would replace my part, of course under warranty. Today I was informed part didn't fix other Kona. So, I am without horn and dealer back to square one. Dealer said there is no recall and no tech bulletin addressing this problem. I can see from forum history that many have experienced a failed horn. HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED A SOLUTION? If so, please share solution. Dealer welcomes any info I can provide. I think I will also report this to US Dept of Transportation, since 'no horn' is a safety hazard and may in fact be illegal.
NHTSA complaint 11496053Vehicle Complaint: Electrical System / Vehicle: 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric SEL Black VIN: KM8K33AG7NU156867 / Wed 07/13/22 - Car purchased from CarBlip (https://www.carblip.com/). CarBlip got it from Harbor Hyundai in Long Beach, CA and trucked it to me in Oakland, CA. / Wed 10/26/22 AM - Car Completely Dead. I called AAA; they sent a technician who jumped 12V battery. I drove car to San Leandro Hyundai - Service & Parts Center and left the car there. They checked battery and said I must have left something on that drained the battery and car is fine now. I picked up the car. / Fri 11/04/22 AM - Car Completely Dead. I called AAA; they sent a technician who jumped 12V battery. I drove car for about 45 minutes to charge battery. Then I drove car normally for rest of day and next day. / Mon 11/07/22 AM - Car Completely Dead. I called AAA; they sent a technician who jumped 12V battery. I drove car for about 45 minutes to charge battery. Then I drove car normally for rest of day. / Tue 11/08/22 AM - Car Completely Dead. I called AAA; they sent a technician who jumped 12V battery. I drove car to San Leandro Hyundai - Service & Parts Center. They put a brand new 12v battery in the car. / 11/08/22-11/19/22 - I drove car normally. / 11/20/22-11/25/22 - Car sat in our driveway in Oakland, CA while we were out of town for Thanksgiving week. / Sat 11/26/22 AM - Car Completely Dead. / Thu 12/01/22 PM - My husband jumped 12V battery and drove car for about 45 minutes. / Fri 12/02/22 AM - I drove the car to San Leandro Hyundai - Service & Parts Center and left the car there. They said the received a “Technical Notification” from Hyundai and reprogrammed the car: “BMS EV LOGIC IMPROVEMENT UPGRADE” and said the car should be fine now. I picked up the car. / Sat 12/03/22 - I drove car normally. / Sun 12/04/22 AM - Car Completely Dead. I called Hyundai Roadside Assistance who sent a AAA technician who jumped 12V battery. I drove car for about 45 minutes to charge battery.
NHTSA complaint 11495997The 12V battery keeps draining on this 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric. This problem happened when I owned the car for 7 months, I believe the battery management system from Hyundai caused the ruin and drainage to the 12V battery. It has happened 10 or more time ever since the battery keeps draining and Hyundai refused to take any responsibility in their faulty 12V battery.
NHTSA complaint 11479433This 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric keep draining the battery after I charged my electric car overnight. It has happened 6 or 7 times now, which I think Hyundai needs a recall on this car. It killed the 12V battery after fully charged the car. Something has drained the battery completely. It is very annoying when this happened.
NHTSA complaint 11472706The car turned into a bricked mode 3 times after I fully charged the car to 100%. The car cannot open or start the engine. The battery was dead or drained somehow. I have to jump start the battery and reset the battery terminals in order for it to work again. Now the braking warning light has stayed on after I reset the battery terminals. I think this 2022 Hyundai Kona EV has some electrical issues that Hyundai need to fix or be aware of.
NHTSA complaint 11468364After only having 2300 miles on my 2022 Kona electric I received a warning indicator on my dash, “Electrical system error.” I looked in the manual and was directed to take the car to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the issue and shared that the battery itself is defective and a new one will need to be ordered. As a result, I began some online research into the issue. It appears that similar issues arose within previous year models, and some even resulted in fires once the battery reached 100%. I also read other stories about how batteries had inconsistent charging rates. I Experienced an issue with inconsistent charging rates prior to the error message but assumed it was simply me not remembering the percentage it was at when initially plugged in. After reading the issues I quickly realized it was not a fluke. I also felt it important to report bc I asked the dealer if they had encountered any other issues with the Kona EV and it’s battery units and they said no. Obviously, this was before I did my own research, and am more very surprised they said they have had no other issues knowing that their copy recalled nearly 100,000 cards recently for faulty batteries.
NHTSA complaint 11445519Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.