Hyundai Kona Common Faults in the UK

The Hyundai Kona’s risk depends on the powertrain more than the year. On the first-generation Kona Electric DVSA lists three battery recalls, the newest (R/2026/128) covering cars built January 2018 to July 2023, so check the recall record before you buy. Across the Kona range (DVSA’s MOT table does not split by fuel) the Kona passes the MOT level with or above cars of the same age. Hyundai UK gives new cars five years with no mileage limit, and eight years or 100,000 miles on the high-voltage battery.

Best-buy years: 2021, 2022. 2021 and 2022 registrations sit level with all cars registered those years on DVSA’s MOT table. Electric Konas built from April 2020 are outside the earlier battery recalls R/2020/308 and R/2021/087 (both end with cars built March 2020), and cars built from December 2020 are outside the braking-software recall R/2020/382. They are not recall-free: R/2026/128, a battery-management software update for 25,056 vehicles, runs to cars built July 2023. This is a reading of recall dates and MOT results, not a ranking of build quality.

No specific year of the OS 2017–2023 and SX2 2023–on Hyundai Kona is generally avoided. No year is named. DVSA’s MOT table rates 2018 and 2019 registrations above all cars registered those years and 2020 to 2022 level, and the Kona Electric’s battery recalls run across every first-generation build (January 2018 to July 2023) rather than one year. On an electric Kona the question is whether the recall work was done on that car, not which year it is from. Early cars have two small recalls of their own, which DVSA files under plain Kona with no fuel type: R/2019/001 (built 9 May to 19 December 2018) and R/2019/115 (built 20 April 2017 to 11 September 2018).

This page gives no figure at the moment: Autoza quotes asking prices only when at least 10 qualifying cars are advertised with a price — here, Hyundai Kona cars registered from 2017. Prices vary by mileage, region and trim, so compare several adverts of the same year and mileage band before negotiating.

Annual road tax (VED): £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. A car registered from April 2017 with a list price over £40,000 when new adds the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 (£640 in all). Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates). Electric versions: one first registered from 1 April 2025 pays the £440/year supplement in years 2–6 only if it listed at over £50,000 new; one registered before then never does, whatever it cost.

What Car? recorded 250 miles or more of real-world range from the 64 kWh Kona Electric (its October 2025 update); we have no sourced real-world figure for the petrol or hybrid versions, whose official figures depend on the engine.

Strong alternatives in the UK: Kia Niro, Volkswagen T-Roc, Renault Captur, Nissan Juke. Choose based on dealer network in your area, parts availability, and your priorities (running cost vs. cabin quality vs. badge).

Buyers who want a compact SUV and will check the recall record on the car, particularly an electric Kona, before agreeing a price.

Anyone buying a first-generation Kona Electric without proof that the battery recalls were carried out, or counting on warranty cover without working out its end date from the registration.

DVSA lists 9 safety recalls for the Hyundai Kona that this guide shows or names, the largest first: R/2026/128 (25,056 vehicles, built between 24 January 2018 and 15 July 2023): Some vehicles fitted with a high voltage battery may have internal cell voltage deviation; R/2020/382 (12,835 vehicles in the whole recall, built between 24 January 2018 and 18 November 2020): If an abnormality is registered within the ieb system that may illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp on the vehicle cluster braking performance may be reduced; R/2024/154 (2,304 vehicles, built between 21 March 2023 and 5 January 2024): A risk of electrical short circuit within the engine compartment during a vehicle collision. Whether a particular car is affected depends on its build date and VIN, so check its registration on GOV.UK (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy.

Battery — cell voltage deviation (Kona Electric) on the Hyundai Kona is covered by DVSA safety recall R/2026/128. Symptoms: DVSA wording: internal cell voltage deviation in the high-voltage battery may lead to an electrical short circuit inside it. Until the battery-management software has been updated Hyundai recommends parking the car in a well-ventilated area; it can be used as normal. Years affected: First-generation Kona Electric (DVSA lists “KONA OS EV”), built 24 January 2018 to 15 July 2023. Indicative repair cost in the UK: Free under recall. What to check before buying: Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record. Ask for the dealer record showing the battery-management software update was done, and whether a battery module or pack was replaced under an earlier recall.

Brakes — braking performance may be reduced (Kona Electric and Hybrid) on the Hyundai Kona is covered by DVSA safety recall R/2020/382. Symptoms: DVSA wording: if an abnormality is registered in the IEB braking system, which may light the malfunction lamp on the instrument cluster, braking performance may be reduced. The remedy is a software update to the stability-control system. Years affected: Kona Electric built 24 January 2018 to 10 November 2020 and Kona Hybrid built 24 October 2018 to 18 November 2020; DVSA gives one total for these and the Nexo. Indicative repair cost in the UK: Free under recall. What to check before buying: Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record.