NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2019 Hyundai Kona Electric Safety Record
The 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 3 recalls and 54 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric warrants serious attention from any prospective owner, even in the absence of crash-test data. While NHTSA has not crash-tested this model year and it carries no federal star ratings or a computed Safety Index, the recall and complaint record is substantial. Three recall campaigns were issued, two of which directed owners to park the vehicle outside due to a battery fire risk. Owners have submitted 54 complaints to NHTSA. This constitutes a Heavy recall and complaint burden band.
The 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries a Heavy recall and complaint burden band, and is the subject of three NHTSA recall campaigns including two park-outside orders, according to NHTSA records.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Heavy |
| Recalls on file | 3 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 54 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric?
Two separate park-outside recall campaigns, both addressing the lithium-ion traction battery, represent the most significant safety concern for the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric. The initial recall, issued in October 2020, was followed by a broader campaign in March 2021 that also included 2020 model-year vehicles. A third recall addressed brake-system software. These battery and propulsion concerns are directly reflected in the 42 Electrical System complaints, which constitute the majority of the 54 total complaints filed. The complaint record also contains two alleged fire events, underscoring the critical importance of verifying the repair status of these battery recalls for any current owner or prospective buyer. While the 2023 Kona Electric achieved a Safety Index of 88 from NHTSA, that score is specific to the 2023 model year and should not be applied to the 2019 Kona Electric.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric have any recalls?
The 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric carries three recall campaigns. Two are park-outside orders tied to the lithium-ion traction battery, which was found to risk an internal short-circuit and fire. The third addresses a software fault in the Integrated Electronic Brake System control module shared with certain 2019-2021 Kona Electric vehicles. All three campaigns are on record with NHTSA.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY21V127000
Risk: An electrical short in the Li-ion battery increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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 Batter
Reported 2021-03-01
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE20V748000
Risk: Reduced braking power could lengthen the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2020-12-01
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM):SOFTWARE20V630000
Risk: An electrical short in the Li-ion battery increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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 thi
Reported 2020-10-13
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric?
Owners have filed 54 unverified complaints with NHTSA against the 2019 Kona Electric. The Electrical System accounts for 42 of those alleged reports, followed by the Fuel and Propulsion System at 10, the Engine and Power Train each at 5, and Service Brakes at 4. Two complaints allege a crash event and two allege a fire. These are consumer allegations and have not been independently verified.
54 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric?
The 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric presents a critical safety concern, with open recalls pertaining to its battery and brake software that include park-outside directives. Any owner or prospective buyer should prioritize verifying recall completion via nhtsa.gov.
- Two of the three recalls on the 2019 Kona Electric are park-outside orders directed at the lithium-ion traction battery, which NHTSA records indicate may be at risk of an internal short-circuit and fire.
- A third recall targets a software fault in the Integrated Electronic Brake System control module, a safety-critical system shared with certain other 2019-2021 Kona Electric vehicles.
- Forty-two of the 54 unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA cite the Electrical System, and two separate complaints allege a fire event, a pattern that tracks directly with the battery recall history.
- NHTSA has not assigned any crash-test stars or a Safety Index to the 2019 model year specifically; a VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov is the only way to confirm whether the open recall repairs have been performed on a specific vehicle.
RANKINGSWhere the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric places
The 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2019 Hyundai Kona Electric safety questions
Was the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 3 recalls and 54 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 3 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 54 owner complaints are on file for the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Kona Electric years
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Hyundai Kona Electric 2019.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.