Model year 2019 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2019 Hyundai Kona: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2019 Hyundai Kona at 27–30 mpg combined (gas versions) and 120 MPGe combined with 258 miles of EPA-rated range across 5 versions. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 252 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
4
EPA combined mpg
27–30
NHTSA overall rating
5/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
NHTSA lists this vehicle as KONA ELECTRIC.
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Hyundai dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2019 Hyundai Kona recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 4 safety recalls for the 2019 Hyundai Kona, newest first.
Engine
NHTSA 21V301000Reported Apr 28, 2021
Filed by
Hyundai Motor America (manufacturer recall no. 203)
Units affected
158,493 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
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 (manufacturer recall no. 200)
Units affected
4,696 (estimate)
Problem
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.
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 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
NHTSA 20V748000Reported Dec 1, 2020
Filed by
Hyundai Motor America (manufacturer recall no. 199)
Units affected
8,176 (estimate)
Problem
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.
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.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Kona Electric vehicles. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery may short-circuit.
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 this recall is 196.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2019 Hyundai Kona fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination; electric figures are in MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2019 Hyundai Kona crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2019 Hyundai Kona NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2019 Hyundai Kona Electric SUV AWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
Standard
2019 Hyundai Kona SUV AWD
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
4 stars
13.6%
Standard
2019 Hyundai Kona SUV FWD
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
4 stars
14.1%
Standard
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2019 Hyundai Kona owner complaints
Owners have filed 252 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Hyundai Kona, most recently on Oct 24, 2026. 13 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 7 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2019 Hyundai Kona complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Engine
143
Electrical system
57
Unknown or other
25
Power train
23
Fuel/propulsion system
20
Vehicle speed control
9
Engine and engine cooling
7
Service brakes
7
Air bags
5
Structure: Body
5
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
