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2021 Hyundai Kona EV
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
138 owner complaints · 0 recalls · data verified July 17, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Engine problems dominate (57% of complaints, typically reported near 13k miles).
Zero recalls, rare for a car this age.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA crash-tested this model year but didn’t publish an overall star rating for it.
1 open NHTSA defect investigation on file for this model year, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2021 Hyundai Kona EV, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Speed control (6) · Fuel system (5) · Driver assistance (5)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Engine
57%78 complaints · typically near 13k mi · 38 in the last 2 years
“Low speed hesitancy and shuddering. Car has lost power when driving at 55 mph. Car does not want to move at very slow speeds as in a parking garage. It hesitates and s…”
Electrical system
14%20 complaints · typically near 10k mi · 6 in the last 2 years
“About 2 weeks ago I tried to start my car and the dash board starting flickering and glitch. Roadside assistance said all I needed was a battery. I got a battery and e…”
Transmission & drivetrain
11%15 complaints · typically near 48k mi · 7 in the last 2 years
“On February 3, 2026, while driving in a high-traffic turning lane, my Hyundai Kona Electric vehicle suddenly lost propulsion and would not accelerate. The vehicle shut…”
Speed control
4%6 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“While driving on the highway at 70 mph, cruise control engaged, there was a sudden loss of drive power. I could not accelerate, or return to the cruising speed. The sp…”
Recalls (0)
No recall campaigns on file for this model year.
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2021 Hyundai KONA EV beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2021? See how every Kona EV model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2021 Hyundai Kona EV against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.