Lemberg Law is investigating complaints that the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric has serious battery drain problems. Vehicle owners report that their batteries drain after they have charged them overnight. They blame electrical issues.
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There are only 5 consumer complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric so far, and they are all about battery drain issues. There is also considerable discussion about the issue on Kona forums and complaints on other platforms too.
The problem many 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric owners are experiencing is simply that their batteries keep draining. Nobody knows why or how the problem can be solved.
A 1-star review on Edmunds dated September 9, 2022, tackles the issue head-on. But the reviewer, Sam Miller, ends up saying that “until Hyundai solves its battery issues, do not invest in this vehicle.”
In his review, he says he loved the SUV because it had smooth handling, great range, and it was exactly what he wanted for his family. That was until he received a notification telling him to “check electric vehicle system.”
He had only had the vehicle for 2 months and it had less than 1,500 miles on the clock. He took it to the dealership, “where they did not seem to have any idea how to handle the issue.”
It took them nearly two 2 weeks to finally decide that the Kona needed “a brand new battery.” But these batteries, he says, were on a national backorder. So, Sam had to drive a gas version that didn’t suit him or his family.
The puzzle is that there are no recalls on the 2022 Kona Electric and no manufacturer communications for electric issues filed with the NHTSA.
The first complaint to the NHTSA was in September 2021 from an owner in California. There was suddenly a severe drop in the full charge range.
“The battery meter does not reflect the true and accurate available storage. You can’t depend on these readings.”
The other 4 are also from owners based in California. Most report recurring problems.
One of these owners says that the 12V battery keeps draining and it is probably due to “the battery management system.” It’s happened more than 10 times and “Hyundai has refused to take any responsibility for their faulty 12V battery.”
No mileage is specified, but the vehicle was only 7 months old.
Another owner states that the same thing has happened 6-7 times after charging the Kona Electric overnight.
“I think Hyundai needs a recall on this car. It killed the 12V battery after (I) fully charged the car. Something has drained the battery completely. It was very annoying when this happened.”
One of the complaints also mentions an issue with the brakes. After charging the car to 100% it went into “bricked mode” where it wouldn’t start the engine.
Realizing that the battery was dead or drained, the owner had to jump-start the battery and reset the battery terminals. But the braking warning light stayed on.
“I think this 2022 Hyundai Kona EV has some electrical issues that Hyundai needs to fix or be aware of.”
The fifth complaint includes a bit of research that indicates this is not a new issue. Having received an “electrical system error,” he went to a dealer who said the battery was defective.
“I began some online research into the issue. It appears that similar issues arose within previous year models, and some even resulted in fires once the battery reached 100%.”
If your 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric has a battery that appears to be defective, what are you going to do? You can try approaching your dealer, or even Hyundai directly. But, if you don’t get answers, you may want to take the matter further.
Lemberg Law is investigating complaints about the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric and its battery drain problems. And we want to help people like you. All you have to do is call our Helpline or fill out a contact form, and we’ll see what we can do to help you.
Our services are free because the law states that Hyundai must pay all legal bills for lemon law cases.
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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Hi I have all the same problems with the 12v battery but it is never flat it happens even when it’s full. I have to jump start it every time I stop the car it’s a nightmare. Its a 2022 plate how do get my money back? Can anyone help?
My 2022 Kona EV has now been in the shop for 1.5 months. Initially, I had numerous 12V battery issues. They replaced it 3 times within the first 6 months. Then, after only 12 months and 12,000 miles, the EV battery light went on. I took it in, and Hyundai said I need a new EV battery, which is on back order. I still have no idea when it will be fixed. I have contacted Hyundai regarding the Lemon Law and would like assistance, if possible.
The audio system to include the subwoofer and noise cancelling system or a microcontroller is not going to sleep when you exit the car via the drivers door.
I had the same problem with my 2023 Kona Electric. I got it with 16 miles and it was only two months old when the battery completely died. The app showed it was charged at 90% but the car was dead. The lights wouldn’t turn on, the car would not start, nothing. I called AAA and the tech jump started the car and told me to go straight to the dealer. I went to the dealer and they said they needed to charge the battery. They asked if I’d left the cabin light on or left the door open overnight. I’m so I was confused and concerned. I have noticed that if the power toggles on the steering wheel are adjusted, the battery meter changes…but the dealership couldn’t confirm if that were the problem. I can’t wait to trade this car in for something better.
Bought my 2022 Kona EV limited. I had a few easy to fix issues from the day I drove off the lot. I noticed the car is pulling slight to the right. Tried to ignore it. Steering wheel tilted slight to the left when going straight, very annoying considering its a brand new car. When you reach over 70 mph, the wheels vibrate. After 2 weeks, wireless charging failed. After a month I had a flat tire. Dealer doesn’t want to fix it. I let it pass, I went to amercas tire they fixed it for free. Then I tried to get an appt to the dealer to fix the issues. That time I made appt at Westbrook garden grove. I went there at the day of appt. They didn’t take me they said I don’t have an appt. But I got a confirmation on my email. Next I tried Vacaville Hyundai. I clearly stated all the issues I was having. I went there and they told me they were too busy to check all the issues and also told me that the EV tech is not working they day. Really? I said to myself do they really need an EV tech to diagnose a steering issue and wheel balancing issue? I was very frustrated because all they did was tire rotation. After months I tried the dealer where I got the car, Westbrook Anaheim. They accepted my appt and concerns. When I get there the service advisor told me that I might need wheel alignment. I was relieved but then he told me that I have to pay out of pocket because alignment is out of the warranty already. I told the advisor that I tried to get it fixed long before the warranty expired and I have a record from another dealer that it was an issue before. He didn’t consider it he said it was out of warranty. So only a tire rotation was done. I tried to escalate it at Hyundai corporate but guess what? They took the dealer side, they told me that whatever the dealer said or diagnosis, that’s final. “Wow”. Now my car has the 12v battery drain. I had to jump it every morning. It will start fine after jumping. But if I park it more than 8-10 hrs., 12V will die. It started when I get the warning 12 v battery drain warning but the car still turns on. Now, no more warning just dead every morning. I hate dealing with the dealer but I tried getting an appt. I told them the car was only 7 month old and I have to literally jump it every time. Not sure if the 12v battery is the problem or it’s an electrical issue. They told me I could bring it but I have to get an appt. I called dec 26. She told me I can bring the car on February 2023. That means I have to jump my car everyday for next 2 months. I think they are aware of that problem now but they are still figuring out how to fix it. Hyundai service is terrible. They are only nice to you when they are selling the the car to you. After you buy it you’re on your own. If you want to buy a Kona EV, buy a jump starter too. You don’t want to be stranded somewhere.
My 2022 KONA EV Limited was found to have the phantom drain (7 months <6400miles) from the Harman Kardon radio system – it will be 4 batteries once radio changed- but seriously considering the buyback. If they give me the $ i put down on the lease…will get a 2023 SEL instead.
I am having the same problem. I have a 2022 Kona Electric. It only has approx. 14,000 KM. The app is showing the battery is charged 93%. However, the car will not start. CAA jump started and it worked for about 3 minutes and it went dead again.
I have a 2021 Kona electric that I bought in December of 2021. Love the car but it started failing about one month ago after 9 months of ownership and 4500 miles. Hyundai replaced battery once, and it was not easy to get them to replace it, but the next day even the new battery failed. I cannot believe they have not tried to trace the problem. I had to buy a portable jumper and a battery monitor. I can see it is draining with this device and accompanying app. I am interested in engaging with you.