The 2019 Kona Electric is Hyundai's first-generation dedicated BEV on the traditional ICE platform. Main concerns revolve around the high-voltage battery degradation/fire risk (subject to recall), electric motor bearing failures, and inverter coolant system issues that can leave you stranded.
High-Voltage Battery Degradation & Fire Risk (Recall 23V-885)
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: Rapid loss of range (30-40% degradation vs new), Battery management system warning lights, In rare cases, thermal runaway/fire risk when parked or charging, Battery refuses DC fast charging or severely throttles charge rate
Fix: Hyundai recall covers software update and battery module replacement if degradation exceeds threshold. Full pack replacement is 8-12 labor hours if out-of-warranty. Recall work is free but dealers are backlogged months for parts.
Estimated cost: $15,000-20,000
Electric Drive Motor Bearing Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: High-pitched whine or grinding noise during acceleration, Vibration felt through floorboard at steady highway speeds, Sudden loss of propulsion with motor overheat warning, Metal shavings in reduction gear oil during service
Fix: Motor assembly must come out; bearings are not sold separately by Hyundai. Requires full motor R&R, 6-8 hours labor. Some indies attempt bearing replacement if they can source parts, otherwise it's a reman unit swap.
Estimated cost: $3,500-6,000
Inverter Coolant Leak & Overheating
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Orange coolant puddle under vehicle (unique EV coolant, not engine coolant), Inverter overheat warning, power severely limited to 20-30%, Coolant reservoir empty but no visible external leak (internal bypass valve failure), Check EV system light with code P1A15 or P1A3A
Fix: Common leak points: inverter inlet/outlet connections and internal coolant passages. Inverter R&R is 4-6 hours, plus coolant flush and bleed procedure takes another hour. Must use Hyundai-specific EV coolant, not standard ethylene glycol.
Estimated cost: $2,200-4,500
Transmission (Reduction Gear) Mounts Collapsing
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk or thud when shifting from Park to Drive, Vibration during acceleration or regenerative braking, Visible sagging of drive unit when inspected on lift, Grinding or scraping noise during sharp turns
Fix: Three mounts (front, rear, torque strut). All three typically need replacement as set. 2-3 hours labor, requires supporting drive unit from below. OEM mounts recommended; aftermarket versions fail prematurely.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000
12V Battery Premature Failure
Common · medium severity
Symptoms: Vehicle won't enter Ready mode despite full HV battery charge, Clicking from under hood when pressing brake and Start button, Infotainment system resets or shows error on startup, Remote features (app, climate pre-conditioning) stop working
Fix: The small 12V AGM battery (in engine bay) fails every 3-4 years, often without warning. Unlike ICE cars, the HV system won't charge a fully dead 12V. Replacement is straightforward, 0.5 hours, but requires specific AGM battery and registration in BMS.
Estimated cost: $250-400
Brake Booster Control Module Software Glitch (Recall 23V-650)
Rare · high severity
Symptoms: Brake pedal feels spongy or requires excessive force, ABS/ESC warning lights illuminate together, Reduced braking power, especially during regen blending, Module communication error codes in ABS system
Fix: Software recall for electronic brake booster. Dealership flash takes 1 hour. If module hardware failed (rare), replacement is 2-3 hours but usually covered under recall or extended warranty.
Estimated cost: $0-1,500
AC Evaporator Leaking (Shared ICE Platform Weakness)
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: AC blows warm air after working fine for years, Oily residue on passenger footwell carpet, Musty smell from vents even after cabin filter replacement, System won't hold refrigerant charge after service
Fix: Evaporator core behind dash fails due to corrosion (design flaw from ICE Kona). Requires full dash removal, 8-10 hours labor. This is the same weak point as the ICE model—Hyundai used identical HVAC hardware.
Estimated cost: $1,800-2,800
Owner tips
Service the reduction gear oil every 30,000 mi instead of Hyundai's 100k interval—metal contamination is common and kills bearings early
Check the orange EV coolant reservoir monthly; inverter leaks start small and strand you fast
Keep the 12V battery on a tender if the car sits unused for more than 2 weeks—these drain faster than ICE cars
Run the battery recall VIN check even if you haven't had symptoms; fire risk is real and parts are backordered
Budget $200/year for the unique orange EV coolant and specialized labor—most quick-lube shops can't touch this
Buy only if the battery recall is completed and you have access to a Hyundai-trained indie shop—dealer dependency and parts delays make ownership risky outside warranty.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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Fitment notes: Auxiliary 12V battery; main traction battery is 64 kWh lithium-ion; 12V battery located in engine bay
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Every control module on the 2019-2021 Hyundai Kona Electric — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
Electric Power Control Unit (EPCU)2.5 hr R&Rdealer / factory tool +0.8 hr▸ programming details
📍 Front motor compartment, mounted on top of the electric motor/inverter assembly
🔧 Hyundai GDS
⚠️ Integrated inverter controller; requires high-voltage system lockout and discharge procedure before removal
Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Control Module (HVAC)2.5 hr R&Raftermarket tool +0.3 hr▸ programming details
📍 Behind center dashboard, integrated with HVAC unit
🔧 Autel MaxiSys or Hyundai GDS
⚠️ Heat pump system on EV; refrigerant recovery required
Motor Driven Power Steering Control Module (MDPS)2.0 hr R&Rdealer / factory tool +0.5 hr▸ programming details
📍 Integrated with electric power steering motor on steering column under dashboard
🔧 Hyundai GDS
⚠️ Steering angle sensor calibration required after replacement
📍 Rear bumper, left and right corners behind fascia (two modules)
🔧 Autel MaxiSys or Hyundai GDS
⚠️ Sold as left/right pair; calibration typically automatic after driving
Electric Parking Brake Module (EPB)aftermarket tool +0.2 hr▸ programming details
📍 Integrated within ESC module
🔧 Autel MaxiSys or Hyundai GDS
⚠️ Service mode activation required for brake pad replacement
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
Consequence: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
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.
Consequence: 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 Battery System Assembly (BSA), and replace it if necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk, and the interim action, with a letter mailed April 9, 2021. Final owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 200.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE · 20V748000
2020-12-01
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Nexo Fuel Cell and 2019-2021 Kona Electric vehicles. The Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) system may detect an abnormal sensor signal and as a result, may significantly reduce braking performance.
Consequence: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM):SOFTWARE · 20V630000
2020-10-13
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Kona Electric vehicles. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery may short-circuit.
Consequence: 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 this recall is 196.
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
132MPGe
Highway
108MPGe
Combined
120MPGe
Fuel
Electricity
Capability & size
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Wiper blades
Electric variant shares same wiper specifications as standard Kona; hook-type attachment
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric Electric and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.