NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2023 Hyundai Kona Electric Safety Ratings
The 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric scores 88 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), 0 recalls, and 5 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 88/100, placing it in the Strong band. A perfect defect record score and a five-star side crash result are genuine strengths. The avoidance-tech sub-score and the absence of an overall NHTSA star rating are the honest caveats buyers should weigh.
The 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric received a five-star side crash rating and zero recall campaigns from NHTSA, contributing to a NHTSA Safety Index of 88/100.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 139 SUVs from 2023 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric ranks 54 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 88 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 0% |
| Recalls on file | 0 |
| Owner complaints | 5 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 54 of 139 SUVs tested for 2023 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric?
What defines the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric in federal safety data is a combination of a spotless recall record and a strong crash-test showing on the tests NHTSA completed. The 88/100 Safety Index sits in the Strong band, though no prior-year Index exists for direct comparison, so the score stands on its own merits rather than as a trend line. The index breakdown tells a specific story: crash protection earned 63 of a possible 70 points, anchored by that five-star side result, while the four-star frontal rating kept the sub-score from reaching its ceiling. The avoidance-tech sub-score of 5/10 reflects a package that includes forward collision warning and lane departure warning as standard equipment but does not capture a fuller suite of active systems, a meaningful distinction for shoppers who weight electronic intervention heavily. The defect-record sub-score of 20/20 is the clearest year-specific signal here: zero recalls against a five-complaint pool with no reported physical harm is an unusually clean federal footprint for any three-year-old vehicle. The Electrical System complaints warrant attention given the vehicle's powertrain architecture, but five unverified allegations across an entire model year is a low volume.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric perform in crash tests?
For the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric, NHTSA awarded a five-star rating in the side crash test, the agency's highest mark. Its frontal crash rating stands at four stars. NHTSA did not complete evaluations for the overall safety rating or the rollover rating; these categories are not rated. The absence of a rating does not indicate either a pass or a fail.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 18648
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric have any recalls?
The 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric carries zero recall campaigns on file with NHTSA. No park-outside advisory and no do-not-drive order appear in the federal record for this model year. That clean slate contributes directly to the perfect 20/20 defect-record sub-score within the Safety Index.
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric?
Five unverified consumer allegations have been reported to NHTSA for this model year. The top reported component is the Electrical System, cited in three of those five submissions, followed by single allegations each touching Steering, Lane Departure, Fuel/Propulsion, and Service Brakes. No crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths are alleged.
5 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric?
The 2023 Kona Electric currently shows no open federal recalls. However, prospective owners should confirm with NHTSA's VIN lookup tool that this status holds true at the point of sale. Any recall issued after the date of this publication should be remediated by a franchised dealer prior to purchase.
- The 2023 Kona Electric holds a perfect 20/20 defect-record sub-score because NHTSA shows zero recall campaigns for this specific model year.
- NHTSA awarded a five-star side rating and a four-star frontal rating, but the overall and rollover ratings are not rated, meaning the federal test program did not complete those evaluations for this year.
- Five unverified complaints on file with NHTSA include three targeting the Electrical System, a component worth monitoring given the vehicle's battery-electric architecture.
- The avoidance-tech sub-score of 5/10 reflects standard forward collision warning and lane departure warning but signals that the 2023 model's active-safety package was not assessed as a comprehensive suite under the scoring criteria.
RANKINGSWhere the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric places
The 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2023 Hyundai Kona Electric safety questions
Was the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 88 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric earned 4 out of 5 stars for frontal and 5 out of 5 stars for side. Its measured rollover risk is 0%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric have?
According to NHTSA recall data, no vehicle recalls are on file for the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric as of Oct 1, 2026. Equipment recalls, if any, are excluded from the Safety Index. Run your VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm the status is current.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 5 owner complaints are on file for the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Kona Electric years
Rivals in SUV (2023)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Tesla Model X Later Release | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2023 Tesla Model Y Later Release | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Tesla Model Y Rwd Early Release | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Tesla Model Y Rwd Later Release | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Buick Envision | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2023 Lexus Rz 450e | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 18648), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Hyundai Kona Electric 2023.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 54 of 139 in the SUV class for 2023.
- 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.