Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · 2 NHTSA variants

2020 Hyundai KonaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 189 owner complaints for the 2020 Hyundai Kona. Most complaints involve engine (110) and electrical system (28). The EPA rates it 27–120 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
27–120mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Nov 2026
Owner complaints
189
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: traction battery

Park outsideRemedy pending

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Kona Electric and 2020 Ioniq Electric vehicles. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery may short-circuit.

Electrical systemReported Mar 1, 2021NHTSA 21V127000

Electrical system: management system

Park outsideFree remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Kona Electric vehicles. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery may short-circuit.

Electrical systemReported Oct 13, 2020NHTSA 20V630000

Air bags: air bag

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Veloster N, 2019-2023 Kona Electric vehicles. A software error in the air bag control unit (ACU) may improperly deactivate the air bag system and seat belt pretensioners.

Air bagsReported Nov 3, 2026NHTSA 26V728000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

189 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2020 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine110
  2. Electrical system28
  3. Power train23
  4. Forward collision avoidance12
  5. Service brakes8
  6. Vehicle speed control7
  7. Steering7
  8. Fuel/propulsion system6
  9. Engine and engine cooling4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Kona model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201875
2019252
2020189
2021147
2022124
202371
202468
202529
202610
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
12
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

110 reports3 crashes1 fire
“My 2020 Kona 2.OL failed an oil test losing 2.5 quarts in 960 miles, stalled on the highway, and blows oil out the tailpipe. Hyundai (Case #43141313) is denying repair coverage because my VIN was excluded from Recall 21V301000. This recall needs to be expanded to include my VIN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2026EngineODI 11773096

Electrical system

28 reports
“While driving approximately 70 mph on I-10 in Louisiana late at night, my 2020 Hyundai Kona EV displayed a “Check EV System” warning while I was on the highway. There were no safe areas or emergency shoulders available to pull over, so I continued driving toward the nearest exit. Approximately 15 minutes after the warning appeared, as I attempted to exit the highway, the vehicle suddenly lost power and rapidly slowed. The vehicle came to a complete stop and could not accelerate, move forward, or reverse. This created a serious safety risk because the vehicle lost propulsion while traveling at highway speed. The vehicle had approximately 62,000 miles at the time of the incident. The vehicle was towed to Giles Hyundai where the dealership diagnosed an internal temperature sensor and resolver failure. Because these components are integrated into the drive system, the dealership replaced the entire traction motor assembly. The repair cost was approximately $9,000. The sudden loss of propulsion at highway speed created a dangerous situation for both the driver and surrounding traffic.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 4, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11722050

Power train

23 reports1 fire
“I am filing a safety complaint against Scott Stark’s South Point Hyundai for selling me a vehicle with an active open safety recall, a blown transmission, an A/C failure, and a dry-rotted tire. Before returning the car for service under a promised 1,000-mile warranty, my sister, who has worked for Corporate Hyundai for 15 years, helped me conduct a full intake baseline inspection at her dealership. We performed a recorded 360-degree video inspection, took high-resolution photos of every square inch, and ran full computer diagnostics, which confirmed zero tool marks on any bolts under the hood or on the transmission, and all diagnostic readings were perfectly recorded. South Point Hyundai kept my vehicle for 10 days for repairs, making excuses about test drives and failing to find technicians. However, a hidden GPS tracker tucked deep under my passenger side carpet meticulously documented every single time the vehicle moved or remained completely stationary on their lot. Upon picking up the vehicle, my sister scanned the car immediately with her diagnostic computer. The readings are now completely erratic and all over the place compared to the baseline corporate…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 4, 2026Suspension, Power train, EngineODI 11754634
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
Electric motor · 1.6L 4-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (A1) · Automatic (AM7) · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Electricity · Regular Gasoline
EV range
258 mi (EPA)

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Kona Electric
Auto (A1) · Front-Wheel Drive
132108120$600—
Kona FWD
Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
283230$2,100303
Kona FWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273330$2,100300
Kona AWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
263028$2,200324
Kona AWD
Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
262927$2,300324
  • Kona Electric
    Auto (A1)
    132 city · 108 hwy · $600/yr
    120
    mpg comb.
  • Kona FWD
    Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    28 city · 32 hwy · $2,100/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Kona FWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    27 city · 33 hwy · $2,100/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Kona AWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    26 city · 30 hwy · $2,200/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Kona AWD
    Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    26 city · 29 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

3 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Hyundai Kona SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
13.6%
Overall
5 / 5
Hyundai Kona SUV FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 14418Vehicle 14411Vehicle 14412
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2020 Kona questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Hyundai Kona have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2020 Hyundai Kona problems?

Owners filed 189 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (110), electrical system (28), power train (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Hyundai Kona get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Hyundai Kona at 27–120 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Hyundai Kona?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Hyundai Kona 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026