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2023 Hyundai Kona EV
Buyable, but go in with open eyes: this car has specific known issues to check before money changes hands.
61 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 17, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Buy-rated alternatives from this era
Other 2021–2025 cars in the same rough price bracket with a clean, matured Buy verdict — worth cross-shopping before you commit to the 2023 Hyundai Kona EV.
Why caution?
Has a "park it / park outside" recall, the most serious kind. Verify the fix was done before buying.
Electrical system problems dominate (39% of complaints, typically reported near 8k miles).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
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.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2023 Hyundai Kona SUV AWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 14%
No open NHTSA defect investigations on file.
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 2023 Hyundai Kona EV, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Driver assistance (12) · Transmission & drivetrain (10) · Engine (6)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Electrical system
39%24 complaints · typically near 8k mi · 9 in the last 2 years
“Rear latch unlocks while vehicle is running or not running up to 30 times at once. Rear latch unlocks without key being in vehicle. This has been reported to Hyundai M…”
Driver assistance
20%12 complaints · 4 in the last 2 years
“Theres more than three issues going on. The car has shut off while driving at least 50 mph on the highway. Currently there's no safety features working on the car.”
Transmission & drivetrain
16%10 complaints · 5 in the last 2 years
“My car intermittently loses power when I’m driving and I almost got hit yesterday.”
Speed control
11%7 complaints · typically near 8k mi · 1 in the last 2 years
“This has happened 3 times and I’ve only owned the car since Sept 2023, the first time was Feb 4 2024, then Feb 28th and March 11, 2024, when I am trying to accelerate …”
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Park itPower Train · 23V526000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat.
Risk: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting September 7, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 246.
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 2023 Hyundai KONA EV beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2023? See how every Kona EV model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2023 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.