NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2020 Hyundai Kona Electric Safety Record
The 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 3 recalls and 178 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
Two separate park-outside battery recall campaigns, both tied to lithium-ion fire risk, dominate the safety profile of the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric. This model year carries no overall safety rating from NHTSA, nor does it have any star ratings from their crash-test program. The absence of this data means no Safety Index score can be computed. These omissions mean that, despite the heavy recall and complaint burden, the 2020 Kona Electric cannot be assessed for crashworthiness on the ratings NHTSA published.
The 2020 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 battery actions, according to NHTSA data.
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 | 178 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric?
A pair of urgent battery recalls defined the 2020 Kona Electric's safety profile. Both recall actions warned of lithium-ion short circuit risks, with NHTSA advising owners to park affected vehicles outside. This "park outside" directive signals a severe hazard. A third recall addressed brake-assist software, introducing another active safety concern. Owner complaints further reflect these issues. The 2020 Kona Electric drew 178 reported allegations, a substantial volume for a lower-production electric vehicle. These complaints include reports of fires and a fatality, underscoring the critical need to verify recall completion for any 2020 Kona Electric. For context, the 2023 Kona Electric achieved a Safety Index of 88, a rating specific to that model year and configuration.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric have any recalls?
The 2020 Kona Electric carries three recalls. Two are park-outside campaigns targeting the lithium-ion traction battery, citing a short-circuit risk that raises fire concern. The third addresses software in the Integrated Electronic Brake System's control module, covering brake power-assist function. All three campaigns were initiated between October 2020 and March 2021.
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 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric?
Owners have submitted 178 unverified complaints to NHTSA, with the Engine component drawing the largest share at 99 alleged reports, followed by the Electrical System at 28, Power Train at 21, and Forward Collision Avoidance at 12. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established findings. The complaint record also includes alleged crashes, fires, injuries, and one alleged fatality.
178 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric?
The 2020 Kona Electric's recall record warrants careful attention from prospective buyers. Two separate recalls addressed battery issues that prompted NHTSA to advise owners to park the vehicle outdoors away from structures, citing potential fire risk. A third recall concerned brake system software. Shoppers should verify completion of all outstanding recall service by checking the vehicle's VIN at nhtsa.gov; franchised dealers perform this work at no charge.
- Two of the three 2020 Kona Electric recalls are park-outside campaigns, both citing lithium-ion battery short-circuit risk. Owners with unresolved recalls should follow NHTSA's guidance and avoid parking the vehicle near structures until the remedy is completed.
- The brake-assist software recall affects the Integrated Electronic Brake System control module on 2019-2021 Kona Electric vehicles, meaning this 2020 model year falls squarely within the covered population.
- 178 unverified owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for this model year, a high figure for a low-volume EV, and the complaint pool includes alleged fires and an alleged fatality. These are consumer allegations and have not been independently verified.
- NHTSA has not crash-tested this model year, so no star ratings or Safety Index score exists for the 2020 Kona Electric. Shoppers who want a tested data point should note that the 2023 Kona Electric earned a Safety Index of 88, though that result applies only to the 2023 model year.
RANKINGSWhere the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric places
The 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2020 Hyundai Kona Electric safety questions
Was the 2020 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 178 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 3 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 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 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 178 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 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 2020.
- 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.