AI Damage2023 Hyundai Kona Electric reliability: common problems
Owners of the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and fuel/propulsion system. The maker issued 31 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 31
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 60% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 20% of all complaints
- 3 Lane departure 20% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 20% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 20% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (60% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 1 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Lane departure: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 5 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 17 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Air bags | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 3 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The horn has been replaced multiple times for failing without ANY warning. The service department at the Hyundai dealer said that this is a known problem for the horns. The horns short out because moisture builds up and damages the wiring, causing them to fail without warning.
There seemed to be some kind of red warning message on the computer screen, but I couldn't read it because I was so busy fighting the steering wheel for control of the car.
Car has only 3000 miles and already has a bad battery. Code DTC P1AA600
The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the heater sensor was replaced; however, the failure recurred a third time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175.
In damp weather the brake rotors corrode overnight. This causes the brakes to lock up when the brake pedal is touched gently. The car then stops quickly and unexpectedly. This could result in the car being rear ended in traffic. This problem has occurred 7 times since I bought the car.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 13,113 of 32,257 model years in the NHTSA data (top 41% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Kona Electric has 19 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 5, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Lane departure. Windshield camera: calibration after windshield replacement.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Hyundai has determined that certain Kona Electric and Ioniq Electric vehicles are eligible for a BMS…
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.
- Certain Kona Electric (OS EV) and Ioniq Electric (AE EV) vehicles are eligible for a Battery Management…
Certain Kona Electric (OS EV) and Ioniq Electric (AE EV) vehicles are eligible for a Battery Management System (BMS) software update. This update to the BMS software improves the system's diagnostic capability. Follow…
- Certain Kona Electric (OS EV) and Ioniq Electric (AE EV) vehicles are eligible for a Battery Management…
Certain Kona Electric (OS EV) and Ioniq Electric (AE EV) vehicles are eligible for a Battery Management System (BMS) software update. This update to the BMS software improves the system’s diagnostic capability.
- Certain Kona Electric (OS EV) and Ioniq Electric (AE EV) vehicles are eligible for a Battery Management…
Certain Kona Electric (OS EV) and Ioniq Electric (AE EV) vehicles are eligible for a Battery Management System (BMS) software update. This update to the BMS software improves the system’s diagnostic capability. Follow…
- This bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in…
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…
- Certain 2021-2023 model year Kona, 2021-2023 model year Kona Electric, and 2022-2023 model year Kona N…
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…
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and…
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…
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding…
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…
- Some vehicles may have an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts…
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…
- This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the…
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…
- This bulletin provides information related to the changes introduced in the 2025 1st Navigation Map and…
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…
- A software update is available for multiple vehicles equipped with either Display Audio 2.0V or the AVN…
NHTSA lists 31 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, fuel/propulsion system, lane departure. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (20%), infotainment or screen glitches (20%), warning lights, check engine (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric?
NHTSA lists 31 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2023 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.