The first-generation Kona Electric was one of the earliest affordable long-range EVs available in Europe, offering around 450 km WLTP range from its 64 kWh battery. It shares its drivetrain with the Kia e-Niro and proved popular with commuters and families seeking a practical electric crossover. Hyundai's 5-year warranty and 8-year battery coverage add confidence for used buyers.· more· less
Long real-world range (380-420 km)Strong 5-year / 8-year battery warranty
Reduction gear bearing wear risk12V battery drain a recurring issue
Buy if: You want a practical, long-range EV with a strong warranty and can verify the battery recall has been completed on the specific VIN.
Avoid if: You need fast DC charging above 77 kW or want vehicle-to-load capability, which only the second generation offers.
Price & maintenance
Used price
€24,900
median asking price, typically 50,000 km
Typical range€23,500 – €26,000
Kilometres drivenAll
Maintenance cost
€600 – €1,050/year
at 15,000 km/year
Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes€350 – €550 /yr
Risk bufferunplanned repairs€250 – €500 /yr
Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Ownership costs
Maintenance assumes 15,000 km a year. Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Used price
€24,900
Typically €23,500 – €26,000, at around 50,000 km.
Kilometres driven
Maintenance
€600 – €1,050per year
€350 – €550
service, tyres, brakes
€250 – €500
repair buffer
Price & maintenance
Used price
€20,000
median asking price, typically 75,000 km
Typical range€18,900 – €21,400
Maintenance cost
€600 – €1,050/year
at 15,000 km/year
Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes€350 – €550 /yr
Risk bufferunplanned repairs€250 – €500 /yr
Price estimates are based on French asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Ownership costs
Maintenance assumes 15,000 km a year. Price estimates are based on French asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Metal particles in the gear oil cause accelerated bearing wear, producing a clicking or grinding noise · more· less
The first-generation Kona Electric's reduction gearbox lacks adequate magnetic filtration for metal particles generated during normal operation. Over time, these particles contaminate the gear oil and accelerate bearing wear, particularly around the differential area. Owners describe a characteristic 'wheel of fortune' clicking noise or growling that increases with speed. Oil analysis on affected cars shows high aluminium and iron content even after just a few thousand kilometres. Preventive measures include changing the reduction gear oil early (at around 2,000 km and then every 30,000 km) and fitting a magnetic drain plug. If bearings are already damaged, repair costs range from €800 for a bearing kit replacement by a specialist to €2,500 for a full reduction gearbox replacement at a dealer. In rare severe cases where both the motor and gearbox need replacement, costs can exceed €5,000, though Hyundai has sometimes covered this under goodwill.
12V battery drain and failure
up to €4002 of 6
The small 12V auxiliary battery drains when the car is parked, leaving the car unable to start despite a full main battery · more· less
The Kona Electric uses a relatively small 44Ah 12V battery that powers ancillary systems. The car's standby draw can deplete this battery within 1-2 weeks of inactivity, particularly if the main battery charge is below 40% (which disables the automatic 12V charging function). Some owners report needing 3 replacements in 3 years. A BMS software update helps in many cases. The 12V battery itself costs €100-200 to replace, plus a potential towing charge if stranded. Keeping the main battery above 50% and using a trickle charger during extended parking significantly reduces the risk. This is the most commonly reported Kona Electric issue across forums.
High-voltage battery fire risk (recall)
€0 (recall repair)3 of 6
LG Energy cells from the Nanjing plant had manufacturing defects that could cause internal short circuits · more· less
Approximately 77,000 Kona Electric vehicles worldwide were recalled due to battery cells manufactured at the LG Energy Solutions Nanjing plant. A folded anode tab could allow lithium plating to contact the cathode, creating an internal short circuit and fire risk. Over a dozen vehicles caught fire globally before the recall was issued. Hyundai replaces the entire battery pack free of charge. Cars built at the Czech Republic plant with SK Innovation batteries were not affected. This recall is critical to verify before purchase - any unresolved vehicle should not be bought. Cars with replacement batteries actually benefit from newer cell chemistry. In Europe the battery replacement runs under UK references R/2020/308 and R/2021/087, and the separate BMS campaign 61D004 covers cars built between 24 January 2018 and 15 July 2023. The codes 196, 200, and SSC-200 belong to the US programme.
Onboard charger (OBC) failure
up to €3,0004 of 6
The AC charging module can fail, preventing home or public AC charging while DC fast charging still works · more· less
Some 2019-2020 Kona Electric models experienced onboard charger failures, particularly when the power supply switched from 3-phase to single-phase without physically disconnecting the plug. Hyundai issued service campaign 00DC13 to check and replace affected OBCs on 2020 models. Symptoms include inability to AC charge or charging stopping unexpectedly while DC fast charging remains functional. Replacement cost at a dealer is approximately €1,500-3,000 including parts and labour, with waiting times of several weeks for parts reported by some owners. Post-2020 models are less affected due to revised hardware.
Charging door actuator sticking
up to €4005 of 6
Dirt accumulation in the charging port flap hinge causes the door to stick shut · more· less
The charging port door lacks adequate sealing, allowing grime to accumulate around the hinge and locking mechanism. Over time, this prevents the door from opening when the unlock button is pressed. Cycling the car's central locking while pressing on the charge door often resolves it temporarily. The US technical bulletin 20-BD-002H addresses this with padding adjustments, and the same adjustment can be made outside the US. Permanent fixes include actuator replacement (€150-400 at a dealer) or preventive cleaning with silicone lubricant. The issue is more common in colder and dirtier environments.
Heat pump / cabin heating issues in cold weather
up to €1,2006 of 6
The heat pump system can fail to provide adequate cabin heating below freezing temperatures · more· less
Some owners report that the cabin heating system fails to deliver warm air in cold conditions, especially below -10 degrees Celsius. The system uses a PTC (resistive) heater during initial warm-up before the heat pump takes over, but a possible sensor mismatch (wrong NTC temperature sensor resistance value) can cause the system to believe the cabin is already warm. In some cases, a blown high-voltage fuse in the distribution box was the root cause, which is a straightforward fix once diagnosed. More complex heat pump compressor failures can cost €800-1,200 to repair, but these are relatively uncommon.
Good EV reliability with two areas to watch closely
The Kona Electric is a solid choice among first-generation affordable EVs. The 64 kWh battery holds up well over time, and the electric motor is fundamentally robust. The two areas requiring attention are the reduction gearbox (preventable with early oil changes and a magnetic drain plug) and the 12V auxiliary battery (manageable with software updates and proper charging habits). Have the battery campaign status checked by VIN before purchase; the pack replacement covers production through 2 March 2020 and the BMS campaign 61D004 covers cars built to July 2023.
Service history
Complete Hyundai dealer or EV specialist records. Verify reduction gear oil has been changed.
Tires
Check tread depth and age. EVs are heavier and wear tires faster. Budget for replacement every 30,000-40,000 km.
Test drive
Drive for at least 20 minutes including motorway speeds. Listen for any unusual whine, clicking, or grinding from the drivetrain.
12V battery condition
Ask when the 12V battery was last replaced. Check voltage with a multimeter - should read 12.4V or above with the car off.
Specific for this vehicle
Verify battery campaign status
Contact Hyundai with the VIN to confirm the battery replacement campaign (UK references R/2020/308 and R/2021/087) and the BMS campaign 61D004 have been completed. Do not purchase if outstanding.
Listen for reduction gear noise at all speeds
Drive at various speeds including coasting. A clicking, grinding, or 'wheel of fortune' sound indicates bearing wear in the reduction gear.
Check battery state of health (SoH)
Use an OBD2 adapter with the Hyundai app or a dealer diagnostic tool to check battery SoH. At 100,000 km, expect 90-100% SoH. Below 85% suggests aggressive use or degradation.
+ 3 more checksShow less
Test the charging port door operation
Open and close the charging port door several times. It should release cleanly each time without needing force.
Check DC fast charging capability
If possible, test a DC fast charge session. The car should accept at least 50 kW initially. Significantly lower rates may indicate battery management issues.
Verify cabin heating works (if cold weather)
Turn on the heating system and check it delivers warm air within 3-5 minutes. Persistent cold air may indicate a heat pump or PTC heater fault.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
High-voltage battery pack replacement, LG Energy Nanjing cell defect causing fire risk, European campaign, UK references R/2020/308 and R/2021/087 (vehicles produced through 2 March 2020)Critical - verify completed
BMS software to detect cell voltage deviations and possible thermal runaway, campaign 61D004 (European OS vehicles built 24 January 2018 - 15 July 2023, VIN-specific)Critical - verify completed
Coolant flow restriction in the BSC-1 blue coolant circuit, electric water pump speed correction (2019-2022)Verify completed
The battery campaigns are the critical items to verify. Contact a Hyundai dealer with the VIN to confirm which campaigns apply and whether they were completed; 61D004 in particular is decided VIN by VIN. Cars produced at the Czech Republic plant with SK Innovation batteries were not affected by the battery replacement campaign. Several codes that circulate for this car are US material rather than European: 196 and 200 are the US battery recalls, 9A4 is the US service campaign behind the P1AA6-P1AAF diagnostic codes, and 20-BD-002H is a US technical bulletin.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (5 years / unlimited km)Expired on most 2018-2020 models, may remain on 2021-2023. Eligible German MY2020 cars received an 8-year unlimited-km vehicle warranty, so check the individual car.
High-voltage battery (8 years / 160,000 km)Still active on most used examples with 70% capacity guarantee
Rust perforation warranty (12 years)Still active on all first-generation models
Hyundai's 5-year unlimited km warranty is among the best in Europe. The 8-year / 160,000 km cover applies to the high-voltage battery; Hyundai Europe does not publish a separate motor and inverter term beyond the vehicle warranty. Verify warranty transfer conditions with the dealer, as some markets require continuous dealer servicing.
Sources: Research draws on model-specific owner forums and owner communities, recall information from official authorities, German automotive press, and multiple workshop cost references cross-checked against each other.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.
