MODEL
Hyundai Kona Electric
NHTSA safety across every Hyundai Kona Electric model year we cover.
Across the 6 model years of the Hyundai Kona Electric we cover (2019 to 2025), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2023 at 88 on the NHTSA Safety Index. 6 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Hyundai Kona Electric is a subcompact electric SUV that has carved out a practical niche for urban commuters and eco-minded families since its 2019 debut. Positioned as an affordable, right-sized EV alternative to larger crossovers, it competes in a crowded but fast-growing segment. Its safety record, however, deserves a careful look before any shopper signs on the dotted line.
The Hyundai Kona Electric earns its best marks in the 2023 model year, where our safety index reaches 88 out of 100, placing it firmly in the Strong band. Crash-test geometry tells a mixed but mostly encouraging story: the 2023 model pulls a 5-out-of-5 in side-impact protection, which is genuinely reassuring for a subcompact body. The frontal rating of 4 out of 5 is solid without being exceptional, and the rollover category carries no rating across covered years, a gap that shoppers should acknowledge rather than ignore. Where the picture darkens is in the recall record. Across the 2019 to 2025 coverage window, the Kona Electric has accumulated 6 recalls, and 4 of those carry the most serious language NHTSA uses: park-outside or do-not-drive advisories. For an electric vehicle, that language almost always signals fire or battery risk concerns, and it is not something to dismiss as routine paperwork. Owners should verify that any used or new example has had every open recall remedied before taking delivery. The 273 owner complaints on file include 12 alleged crashes, 4 alleged fires, 13 reported injuries, and 1 reported death. These are unverified allegations, but the fire count in particular aligns with the severity of those park-outside campaigns. The Kona Electric has real strengths in active safety and crash geometry, but its recall history makes due diligence non-negotiable.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally praise the Kona Electric for its composed ride, user-friendly technology, and practical packaging for city driving. Most consider it a competitive and likable entry in the subcompact EV segment. However, reviewers have consistently noted that prospective buyers should pay close attention to the model's recall history, particularly concerns tied to the battery system.
- Four of the six recalls across 2019 to 2025 carry park-outside or do-not-drive severity language, which typically signals a serious fire or battery risk. Confirm all open recalls are resolved before purchase using the NHTSA VIN lookup tool.
- The 2023 model year represents the safety high-water mark in our data, scoring 88 out of 100 on the MotorCaliber Safety Index and landing in the Strong band. If you are shopping used, prioritizing 2023 or newer is a meaningful safety consideration.
- Side-impact crash protection is a genuine strength, earning a 5 out of 5 in the best-tested year. Frontal protection at 4 out of 5 is respectable but not class-leading, so it should not be taken for granted.
- Owner complaints include 4 alleged fire incidents across the covered model years. While these are unverified allegations, combined with the battery-related recall campaigns, they reinforce why verifying recall completion and monitoring for any new NHTSA safety bulletins is especially important for this model.
Most-recalled year on record: 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric with 3 recalls.